The Springfield Project

Park Road food policy

Park Road food policy The Springfield ProjectFOOD POLICY –

 

All food provided at the nursery will contribute to an enjoyable, healthy, balanced diet and meet children’s individual needs.

  1. A senior member of staff will oversee all aspects of food in the nursery.
  2. Staff will be trained in basic nutrition and food safety and hygiene where appropriate.
  3. Healthy eating activities for children will be included as part of the education programme of the nursery.
  4. Where appropriate, healthy eating education will be offered to parents either informally or through workshops.
  5. The Springfield Project will create an environment which supports, normalises and encourages breastfeeding.
  6. The food provided will reflect the diversity of the community which the Springfield Project serves.
  7. Food provided by the Springfield Project for parents or children will meet current healthy eating guidelines and the amount of food that is high in fat, salt or sugar will be limited.
  8. When adapting or changing food which the Springfield Project provides, children’s food choices will be taken into consideration.
  9. The eating environment provided by the Project will be comfortable and relaxed and children will be given plenty of time to eat. The Springfield Project recognises that this is a social time and an opportunity for children to learn about healthy eating and develop new skills such as serving food and drink and feeding themselves.
  10. Utensils, tables and chairs will be appropriate for the ages and stages of the children.
  11. Children will be offered milk and water at nursery. However, on special occasions diluted fruit juices will be offered too.
  12. Food and drink will not be used as reward or punishment.
  13. If parents bring food in for birthdays or other celebrations they are encouraged to bring fruit/veg snacks only (sign on nursery door) of what to bring.

Springfield Park Road Nursery

  1. The weekly menu for snacks will provide Nursery children with a tasty, varied diet
  • Bread, bread sticks etc
  • Fruit and Vegetables
  • Milk and Dairy Foods
  1. Foods high in fat, salt, and sugar will be limited in line with the current healthy eating guidelines for the age group of the children concerned.
  2. Practitioners will sit and eat with children at snack time and will provide a good role model for healthy eating.
  3. All dairy products will be full fat. This contributes to each child’s daily nutritional requirements as they are different from an adult.
  4. Milk will be served with either morning or afternoon snacks.
  5. Salt will not be used in any cooking at the nursery and salt will not be provided at the table (except in baking bread).
  6. Children will have access to outside play every day as our nursery door will stay open during the nursery session. Children will be encouraged to access outside play. This will ensure that they have an opportunity to be exposed to sunlight which helps their bodies make vitamin D (outside play will be in accordance with the Nursery’s Sun Safety Policy).
  7. As part of the induction to the Nursery, parents will be asked to share information on their child’s dietary requirements (including any allergies). This information will be used when planning snack time.  It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the nursery if this information changes.
  8. Drinking water will be available to children at all times in the Nursery.
  9. Advice will be given to parents about suitable foods and drinks to bring from home for outings such as picnics and trips.

This policy was revised on May 2026 by Nursery Manager & Deputy Manager
Next review date: September 2027