Packed lunch guidance
At Tinytots settings we would like to promote healthy food choices for both parents and children, we will help to do this by providing healthy snacks for the children to choose from.
Aims
We aim to make sure the children’s pack lunches and snacks in our settings are healthy and nutritious, following the early years nutritional guidelines promoting a healthy lifestyle and developing the child’s understanding on healthy eating. We will support parents and carers in providing a healthy packed lunch if needed.
Guidelines to pack lunch contents
• At least one portion of fruit, vegetable or salad. Please ensure grapes are cut in half length ways to avoid a choking hazard.
• Carbohydrates; starchy foods e.g. bread, pasta, rice, couscous etc
• Dairy; e.g. milk, cheese, plain yogurt, natural fromage frais, soya etc
• Sandwich fillings should be savoury – no jam, honey, chocolate etc
• Drinks; water, sugar free fruit drinks or milk. Also, water or milk can be provided by us if you wish.
• All pack lunches should be age appropriate, building on independence at mealtimes.
Things that should not be included in pack lunches
• Fizzy drinks, sugary bottles /cartons of juice
• Nuts or nut products e.g peanut butter
• Fried food, e.g. chicken bites
• Pastry based products, e.g pork pies, sausage rolls
• Confectionary, sweets, chocolate, e.g. biscuits, bars
• Cooked foods as we are unable to heat these up
Pack lunch containers
We ask parents to provide a separate lunch bag to their personal bag to keep their food in. Please keep this labelled with their drinks so food is not swapped or mixed up. Can you also provide food utensils for the children that is needed for their lunch.
Staff
To support parents the settings will follow the food and drink policy during snack and mealtimes whilst eating with the children.
Snacks
We provide snack in the morning which will include a range of fruit and a savoury snack of bread sticks or crackers.
Water and milk are provided at snack time and water is available throughout the day.
Birthdays
We welcome cakes for the children to celebrate with their peers which will be given out at the end of the day to take home with their parents.
Working together with parents and carers
We will be monitoring pack lunches and hope that parents keep to the guidance, we understand there may be exceptions to these at times during themed activities or end of year party’s and this will be discussed when it will take place.
We can provide information if needed on nutrition, from various sources e.g. websites, information sheets etc so all contact is welcomed.
Places to find healthy lunch ideas:
https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/healthy-lunchbox-ideas-kids
https://www.eynpartnership.org/blog-news/how-make-perfect-pre-school-lunchbox