FOOD & NUTRITION
FOOD & NUTRITION
At Orchard, we believe that good nutrition is vital for a child’s development and well being. Children have their own unique nutrient needs and meeting those needs is vital for a child to grow up big and strong (and healthy)!
Please see example menus below
Sample Menus
Healthy Eating
A child’s diet should consist of a variety of foods that contain a range of nutrients. Children’s food preferences and eating habits are formed early in life with consequences for a range of health and development outcomes in later life. It is therefore important that we provide appropriate amounts of energy and nutrients and encourage the development of healthy eating habits in young children, both to support appropriate growth and development, and as part of national priorities to reduce childhood obesity and ensure every child has the best start in life.
To support healthier food provision we follow current government dietary recommendations and advice from leading childhood nutrition experts and adjust menus for meet the dietary needs of our younger babies and children.
Mealtimes
Meal times are viewed as a social occasion and staff sit at the table with the children, role modelling good table manners and social skills. At mealtimes, we support children to be independent, to share with others and to talk with their friends.
For weaning babies, our chefs will puree, mash or chop food to meet your baby's needs. Please speak to your child’s key person for support and advice so that we ensure the weaning process is closely linked with progress at home and follows your requirements.
Breakfast, Lunch & Tea
Breakfast consists of a choice of cereals and toast, served with fruit juice, water or milk.
Lunch is a two course meal, freshly prepared in our kitchen, and is served appropriately prepared for the children (pureed, mashed, chopped etc.) Older children learn to serve themselves, developing skills in making choices and independence.
High Tea is served at around 4pm, it is a light meal, consisting of sandwiches, soups and rolls, home cooked cakes or biscuits and fruit or vegetable crudités, please note that our high tea is designed to be a light meal, so that children can enjoy a meal or light supper at home at the end of their nursery day.
Morning and afternoon snacks are also provided, consisting of carbohydrates for energy (e.g. crackers or breadsticks) and a selection of fresh fruit or vegetables.
Dietary Requirements
We cater for all allergies and intolerances. As a result of children already in attendance with life threatening food allergies, we do not allow children to bring in food from home. Please ask Angela (our nursery manager) for more information.
We are inspected by Dorset County Council Environmental Health Department and have consistently scored the top rating of five stars at every annual visit.
