Meals and nutrition at Cygnets Day Nursery
"First we eat, then we do everything else," said MFK Fisher.
(Mary Frances Fisher, a pre-eminent American Food Writer).
Everything we want for children – chances to grow, learn, discover, inspire, laugh and love – relies on plenty of good fuel.
We believe that getting children to enjoy healthy food from an early age is the way to help them eat well for the rest of their lives.
Eating healthy food will give your child more energy to do the things they love for longer and helps with their concentration, vital for when they progress to school. We try to teach children from an early age of how to take care of their own physical well being, with what they eat and by physical exercise, playing outside in the fresh air as much as possible.
As you may be aware, it is recommended that we all eat 5 portions of fruit and veg per day. This is the key to a healthy lifestyle which we do our best to promote. One way to get your child to eat certain veg that he may not be keen on, is to let him help prepare the veg as this then encourages an interest in the vegetable, where it came from etc. this makes the veg more interesting. It is also a good idea to let them help choose suitable healthy food when doing the supermarket shop as this encourages an interest in the right sort of food.
Fresh water is available throughout the session for the children to help themselves whenever they are thirsty.
Meals
We believe that it is essential that children understand the importance of eating healthily and looking after themselves. We do this through everyday practice. Children wash their hands before eating and children’s teeth are cleaned after meals upon parents’ request.Tooth hygiene is encouraged through group discussions.
Our Policies and Procedures ensure that the health and safety of the children are paramount at all times.
A paediatric first aider will be present at all times throughout all meals.
Menu
Meals are cooked on the premises by our own chef using fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat wherever possible, ensuring a well balanced and nutritious diet for all the children. Special diets can be catered for where necessary.
We do not require parents to provide any food for your child as they are all cooked freshly onsite by our chef and all guidance is followed from the new Nutritional Guidance 2025. Our menus are based on a three week rotating menu.
Sample menus can be viewed by clicking on these samples: Week 1; Week 2; and Week 3. Breakfast, lunch and tea can all be provided and catered for.
Snack times
Milk or water plus fresh fruit, breadsticks and plain Greek yoghurt are a sample of what is offered to the children at snack time.
Water is available at all times and the children are encouraged to drink regularly, each child having their own recognisable beaker with their name on.
Babies bring in their own bottle feeds, then weaning foods are made up at the nursery by our on-site chef according to each child’s requirements.