Our much-loved caterer, Sam, comes in every day to prepare freshly made meals for the children.
We understand the importance of healthy bodies and minds and how vital it is to eat the right food for growth and development. Our approach to nutrition is balanced, understanding the need for the occasional treat as well as an abundance of fresh produce supporting a balanced diet. This includes fresh drinking water which is available at all times.
At snack time we offer a variety of choices such as fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, bread sticks, crackers and cheese, yoghurt, rice cakes and more. We will often provide a special theme related snack and aim to vary the textures as much as possible. There are lots of opportunities for the children to prepare their own snacks, developing their independence.
Mealtimes at Duchess Nursery are a happy, social occasion when staff and children sit together to eat - assisting younger children when they need help. Older children are encouraged to be independent, serving their own food and using their cutlery to feed themselves. Staff ensure good table manners and behaviour consistently across the age ranges, role modelling and encouraging the children to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’.
We gently encourage all children to try new and different foods. We work with our parents if a child struggles with eating.
Staff are aware and respect all allergies, medical and cultural differences in eating habits, ensuring similar alternatives are available for those who need it. We have a strict no-nut policy and adhere to the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 and snacks are prepared by qualified staff that hold Food Hygiene Certificates. See our sample menus below.
| Menu Week 1 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast 8.00-8.45am | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water |
| Lunch 11.30am | Hidden Veg Cheesy Pasta Apple Slices Water | Chicken Jambalaya Melon smiles Water | Mediterranean meatballs in a red pepper sauce with cous cous Pears Water | Turkey Ragu with homemade garlic bread fingers Greek Yoghurt and Berries Water | Homemade beef burgers, homemade chips and beans Oranges Water |
| Tea 3.00pm | Spanish Omelette fingers with veg sticks Frozen Yoghurt Milk or Water | Jacket potato slice with Tuna Mayo and sweetcorn Bananas Milk or water | Filled Pitta Pockets with Ham/Cheese, cucumber and tomatoes Raspberry and Banana smoothies Milk or Water | Pizza fingers with parmesan roasted courgettes Peaches Milk or water | Pastina Soup with Homemade Bread Homemade sugar free jelly Milk or Water |
| Snack 5.30pm | Wholegrain crackers with cheese slices and fruit Water | Houmous and Veggie sticks Water | Rice cakes with cream cheese and cucumber slices Water | Raspberry oat cookies and milk Water | Ritz Crackers and fresh fruit Water |
| Menu Week 2 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast 8.00-8.45am | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water |
| Lunch 11.30am | Homemade Fish Pie with Broccoli Pears Water | Sweet Potato and Lentil curry with Naan Bread Watermelon Water | Roast chicken with roasted new potatoes, Carrots and cabbage Greek Yoghurt with red berries Water | Beef Mousakka with green beans Banana Water | Homemade giant sausage roll slice with mashed potato and mixed vegetables Apples Water |
| Tea 3.00pm | Homemade Pesto pasta with Corn on the cob and Cherry tomatoes Yoghurt Milk or Water | Bagels with cream cheese, cucumber and carrot sticks Grapes Milk or water | Tomato and bacon muffins with broccoli and a homemade sweet potato houmous dip oranges Milk or Water | Tuna and sweetcorn pasta Honeydew melon smiles Milk or water | Tuna and sweetcorn pasta Honeydew melon smiles Milk or water |
| Snack 5.30pm | Rice cakes with cream cheese and cucumber slices Water | Raspberry oat cookies and milk Water | Wholegrain crackers with cheese slices and fruit Water | Houmous and Veggie sticks Water | Greek yoghurt and Apricots Water |
| Menu Week 3 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast 8.00-8.45am | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water |
| Lunch 11.30am | Creamy Chicken and sweetcorn pasta with green beans Apples Water | Tomato and Vegetable Orzo with Garlic Bread Oranges Water | Paprika pork with mashed potato and a creamy mushroom sauce Yoghurt with fresh fruit Water | Thai Green Cod curry with wholegrain rice Watermelon Water | Spaghetti Bolognaise with hidden veggies Banana Water |
| Tea 3.00pm | Curried Carrot and lentil soup with naan bread Yoghurt Milk or Water | Filled sandwiches with ham, cheese or egg mayo and pepper sticks Grapes Milk or water | Hidden Veg Gnocchi bake with Lettuce Fresh Berries Milk or Water | Jacket Potato slice with beans and cheese Pears Milk or water | Fish finger baps with lettuce and tartar sauce Honeydew melon Milk or Water |
| Snack 5.30pm | Wholegrain crackers with cheese slices and fruit Water | Rice cakes with cream cheese and cucumber slices Water | Lentil chips with pepper sticks Water | Ritz Crackers and fresh fruit Water | Breadsticks with cheese chunks and apricots Water |
| Menu Week 4 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast 8.00-8.45am | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water | A choice of cereals Fresh fruit Milk or water |
| Lunch 11.30am | Salmon and pea risotto Oranges Water | Sausage chunks with homemade rumbledethumps and carrots Frozen yoghurt Water | Chicken and Leek Pastry Pie With Mashed potato and carrots Melon smiles Water | Sausage Roast Dinner with new potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower and Broccoli. Apples Water | Jacket potatoes with veggie chilli, salad and sour cream Peaches Water |
| Tea 3.00pm | Filled sandwiches with chicken or cheese Cucumber and pepper sticks Watermelon Milk or Water | Vegetable spring roll with homemade egg fried rice and soy sauce dip Pears Milk or water | Homemade barbecue beans on toast with cheese Grapes and Strawberries Milk or Water | Homemade Ploughmans with crusty bread Yoghurt Milk or water | Cheese crumpets with veggie sticks Fruit smoothies Milk or Water |
| Snack 5.30pm | Ritz Crackers and fresh fruit | Lentil chips with pepper sticks | Rice cakes with cream cheese and cucumber slices Water | Wholegrain crackers with cheese slices and fruit Water | Breadsticks with cheese chunks and apricots |