It is from the weaning stage onwards that children establish their long term eating habits. It is very important that we provide the best model possible to support the development of positive and healthy attitudes not only to eating, but towards the enjoyment of food as well. At Bright Stars, meal and snack times are designed to embed positive and healthy attitudes towards diet and a broad range of healthy foods. We structure our meal times around polite conversation as this is proven to strengthen relationships, social skills and independence.
Each meal, the children and practitioners sit around the table and develop the art of conversation, asking questions and taking turns to talk. Children can sit on our dining chairs, on booster seats or in a highchair.
Children will be offered and introduced to a variety of foods during meal times and also have the opportunity to experience foods from different cultural backgrounds. Meals are planned to be healthy and nutritious. The emphasis is very much on health and growth with at least 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables offered during the course of each day. Restrictions are given to any salty or sugary foods.
Consideration is given to the foods which are appropriate to different age groups e.g. babies being weaned. The younger children will be given the opportunity to explore their food with their hands, as well as being taught to use child safe cutlery.
As your child gets older, they will be given the opportunity to participate in the preparation of some foods, such as sandwiches, fruit smoothies or making pizzas, in a way appropriate to their stage of development. Emphasis is very much on teaching your child the healthy options approach whilst performing cooking activities.
During the course of the day, children will have unlimited access to fresh fruit and water. Milk is encouraged after fruit for dental hygiene and is always available on request. Parents will be informed of their child’s daily meals via their daily diary.If any little ones are still having milk feeds we ask that parents bring in the ready-made formula bottles, just in case we are enjoying an outing when they are due a feed. We have a cold water steriliser were we store all baby bottles, dummies and teethers.
Here is our three week menu that shows the main meals and snacks we enjoy at Bright Stars. We eat healthy, nutritious foods, and have made healthier substitutes wherever possible. We enjoy wholemeal bread and wraps and choose fruit over sugary snacks. We only drink water and milk. Fresh fruit, vegetables and water is always accessible to the children.
As of December 2014, the Government and the Food Regulators created a list of fourteen major allergens, contained in food that all parents need to be aware of. The allergens are displayed on the picture below:
Here is a copy of our menu: