Nurseries in Essex

Nutrition & Food

Many children are in nursery for a whole day and it is very important that the food they receive is nutritious, balanced and varied and meets their developmental needs.

All our meals are supplied by yumyumme and are cooked fresh-from-frozen daily on site. All fresh items are locally-sourced and menus are seasonal.

Yumyumme consults our nursery staff to ensure quality meals are provided for all children against a balanced menu on a four week rolling cycle. Particular dietary requirements, medical or cultural, can also be catered for.

For any children with allergies or sensitivities we hold a book with all food and drink items consumed at nursery detailing all and any of the 14 allergens contained within them if relevant. The 14 allergens are; cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide and sulphites, lupin and molluscs. This book is available for parents to look at in the nursery along with our Food and Drink Sensitivity & Allergy Policy.

Life is all about adding the right ingredients

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    If relevant we do ask you to supply “made up” baby formula milk in sterile bottles on a daily basis after following best practice guidance from the Department of Health and we can warm your child’s bottle as required.

    In close consultation with parents/carers, we can supply babies with pureed fruit/vegetables/meals when they are ready to be weaned. For health & safety reasons, we are unable to serve home-made food to the children. We can accept sealed baby food jars and yoghurts. The manager can discuss all requirements with you regarding your specific needs.

    Children starting before 8:30 a.m. are offered breakfast items such as cereal, toast, muffins or pancakes dependent on the menu with a range of toppings and a drink of milk. Snack times offer a range of items such as fruit, vegetables, biscuits, breads or dips. Lunch is served at approximately 11.45 a.m. and consists of a hot meal and a dessert. Afternoon tea is a light meal at 3.30 p.m. Menus are posted on the parent notice boards. Meal and snack times are a social event for the children and are very well received!

    We provide the children with milk and water at snack times and do not encourage children to drink sugary juice type drinks.

    Water is available at all times for the children in the rooms. Sometimes the children have an opportunity to cook different foods that they can take home or share with their friends.

    We believe that good, wholesome food, is essential for health and constantly review the food we offer. We regularly review the Children’s Food Trust website to ensure what we offer the children is healthy and balanced.