Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating
At St. Brigid’s Children Centre we are committed to ensuring that the food and drink we prepare for the children will provide them with a well balanced nutritious and healthy diet. Special dietary requirements will be respected and meal times will be opportunities to encourage social interaction among staff and children.
Our Healthy Eating Policy
- A weekly snack menu will provide the children with varied foods. This menu will be on display in advance. Recipes and food ingredients are available to parents.
- Parents are encouraged to offer menu suggestions or comments on the nutrition policy.
- All children will have suitable food available depending on their age, development and needs, using the recommended serving table as a guide.
- Breakfast will be available each morning. Parents are responsible to inform the service if their child needs breakfast on arrival.
- Water will be available at all times.
- Fizzy drinks will not be provided.
- Water will be served with main meals and snacks.
- Children will have access to bread or fruit if they are hungry between scheduled meals or snack times.
- Children will be allowed to have dessert if they do not eat their main course.
- Parents will be advised if their child is not eating well.
- Parents of children on special diets will be asked to provide as much information about suitable foods. In some cases, parents may be asked to provide snack food themselves.
- Staff will sit with the children when they eat and encourage good eating habits.
- Children will sit when eating or having a drink.
- Withholding food will not be used as a form of punishment.
- Parents are asked not to send sweets, crisps and other snack food to the pre-school.
- Birthday party food should be discussed in advance with the staff.
- All food will be stored, prepared and served using good food safety practices.
- Staff will receive training in relation to healthy eating and food safety.
- Children will be encouraged to play and eat outside weather permitting, to ensure they receive sunlight which helps their bodies to make vitamin D.
- This policy will be displayed in an accessible area and will be reviewed annually.