











Healthy Lifestyles
At Furzehill Childcare Centre we recognise the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet and understand that establishing a balanced diet in childhood helps to establish healthy eating habits for life. In order for us all to meet our full potential we need to be healthy and fit; physically, mentally and socially. Our organisation supports children, young people and parents to develop the skills and attitudes that will help them make informed healthy choices.
Healthy eating does not mean NO treats, but it does mean having them at appropriate times and not too often. We aim to develop and promote a 20:80 balance.
At Furzehill Childcare Centre we believe that mealtimes should be happy, social occasions for children and staff alike. We promote shared, enjoyable positive interactions at these times.
We are committed to offering children healthy, nutritious, and balanced meals and snacks, which meet individual needs and requirements.
We ensure that:
-
A healthy breakfast, tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery
-
Parents are responsible for providing a nutritious and balanced packed lunch for their child
-
We provide nutritious food at all snack and mealtimes, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives, and colourings
-
Only milk and water are provided as drinks to promote oral health. Fresh drinking water is always available and accessible. It is frequently offered to children and babies and intake is monitored. In hot weather staff will encourage children to drink more water to keep them hydrated and water will be provided in the outside area
-
Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences, and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements before a child starts or joins the nursery. Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child
-
We give careful consideration to seating to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child. Where appropriate, an adult will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks. Where appropriate, age/stage discussions will also take place with all children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods
-
Staff show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They do not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of her/his diet or allergy
-
Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children are encouraged to use their manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' and conversation is encouraged
-
Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drink, and feeding themselves
-
Staff support children to make healthy choices and understand the need for healthy eating
-
We provide foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones.
-
Cultural differences in eating habits are respected
-
Children who refuse to eat at the mealtime are offered food later in the day
-
Children are given time to eat at their own pace and not rushed
-
Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for in line with recommended portion sizes for babies and young children
-
We promote positive attitudes to healthy eating through play opportunities and discussions
-
The nursery provides parents with daily written records of feeding routines for all children under the age of two
-
No child is ever left alone when eating/drinking to minimise the risk of choking
-
We will sometimes celebrate special occasions such as birthdays with the occasional treat of foods such as cake, sweets, or biscuits. These will be given at mealtimes to prevent tooth decay and not spoil the child’s appetite. Where we have frequent birthdays and celebrations, we consider other alternatives such as celebrating through smiles and praise, stickers, and badges, choosing a favourite story, becoming a special helper, playing a party game, dancing and/or singing their favourite song
-
We allow parents to bring in cakes on special occasions. We ensure that all food brought in from parents meets the above and health and safety requirements and ingredients that are listed within the Food Information for Consumers (FIR) 2014 and detailed in the allergens policy and procedure
Please see our healthy eating policy here
Please see some useful websites below.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating/
​
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/
https://families.barnardos.org.uk/pre-school/healthy-lifestyles
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/











