Food Policies

Food Hygiene – Whytebeams are registered with Food Standard Agency

3 members of staff will hold a current food hygiene certificate and prepare any food for snack and
during cooking activities.
All staff have an induction and training regarding good practice of food hygiene standards.
Good hygiene standards are maintained when preparing snack and in food related activities.
All crockery, utensils and surfaces are cleaned daily by the staff of Whytebeams after use and
replaced when needed.

Food preparation and storage

We do not prepare hot meals for children but may run food based/cooking activities.
Staff will prepare snacks on the correct surfaces using the separate chopping boards as needed
Staff will maintain good hygiene standards, washing their hands before food preparation, wear
gloves and maintain clean preparation areas.
Staff will clean the eating areas with antibacterial spray before the children sit down to eat.
Staff will display prepared food in a way that encourages the children to eat it.
Food will be stored correctly and appropriately and expiry dates will be checked before use.
Food storage areas will be kept clean and well maintained.
All used towels, tea towels and dish cloths are washed daily.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are washed before use.
Fresh milk is kept refrigerated at the appropriate temperature.

Children’s lunch boxes are stored on the lunch trolley until lunch time and should be kept in the
lobby before and after lunch. Parents are advised to pack ice coolers in their child’s lunch box.

Lunchtime

Children who stay for lunch are required to bring a packed lunch from home, which will be stored on
the lunch trolley until lunchtime. Encouragement is given to parents to provide a healthy lunch box
and we advise parents to put an ice pack in the lunch box to keep it cool. Parents are requested to

cut foods into the correct size and shape in line with new safer eating guidelines to minimise a
choking hazard.

E.g. Grapes/Tomatoes: Cut lengthwise and into quarters. Sausages/Skinned Foods: Cut lengthwise
into strips, not rounds. Hard Raw Veg/Fruit: Grate, cook, or slice into thin, safe batons. High-Risk
Foods: Avoid nuts (no nuts or nut products (permitted), seeds, popcorn, and hard sweets.

We do not heat or reheat any food for children. Staff may use the kitchen facilities to store and heat
their own lunch and they are responsible for reheating food to the correct temperature.

We aim to be a nut free nursery and no nuts or nut products are permitted in lunchboxes or to be
left in children’s bags or coats. Allergy awareness : Traces of nuts may be present in our shared
building and facilities and cross contamination is a possibility.

Lunch Routine

After washing hands, children are encouraged to find their own lunch box, under adult supervision.
Children sit at tables in the hall where adults join them close by. Once everyone is seated the
children are told they can open their lunch boxes to ensure correct supervision. Lunch begins around
12.30pm.
Children will be encouraged to eat their sandwiches/savouries first, followed by yoghurt and/or fruit.
Sweet things and biscuits are left till last to promote health eating and balance. Children are
encouraged to drink water which parents provide in a reusable bottle for use throughout the day.
No other drinks are required and sugary or fizzy drinks are not permitted. We will provide tap water
should parents forget to provide it.

Once children are finished eating and by 1pm they are asked to pack away their lunchbox and wait
to be called table by table to put away their lunch box and water bottle. Once children have put
away their belongings and washed their hands if needed, they sit for a story time with an adult
before returning to free flow play.

Children are encouraged to do as much as possible for themselves and take responsibility for their
belongings with adult support. This aids independence and confidence. Any uneaten food will be
returned to the lunch box where appropriate so parents can see what has been eaten. We aim to
finish by 1.15pm to allow setting up for the afternoon’s activities. The children are encouraged to
stay seated throughout the lunch period, primarily for their safety and good table manners are
encouraged. Conversation is also encouraged, between staff and children but must be at a low
volume for safety. Lunchtime is looked at as a social activity for both children and staff and should
be enjoyed by all.

Recommended Healthy Food and drinks

Fresh, homemade food with little processing is advised with a good balance of carbohydrates, fruit,
vegetables, protein, or dairy. We suggest no more than 5 varied items in the lunchbox to allow
better focus and balance. For example – sandwich with butter and ham, tangerine, yogurt,
breadsticks and hummus. Other ideas include - sandwiches, rolls, crackers, pitta, breadsticks or rice
cakes, cheese, cold unprocessed meats or pasta, salad, vegetable sticks, dips or hummus, fruit,
yoghurt. Water or milk to drink.

PLEASE DO NOT PACK

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NUTS or any nut based product (e.g.: peanut/nut butter, Nutella or equivalent, pine nuts or pesto
made with them, nut based cereal bars or cakes) Due to the risk of allergies and anaphylaxis, nuts
are a health and safety hazard and we will remove them from children’s lunch boxes.
CHOCOLATE – We have a duty to promote healthy eating and ask that you do not pack chocolate or
sweets, however chocolate covered biscuits are allowed, alongside other healthy options.
FIZZY DRINKS and Fruit Shoot type drinks– Fizzy drinks and high sugar juices are not permitted in
lunchboxes and will be removed. Children have their water bottles at lunch time for hydration.

Any items we remove will be returned to parents and carers at the end of day.

 

Lunchbox and Water Bottle Hygiene and Labelling

We ask that parents regularly clean the inside and outside of lunchboxes and water bottles and
provide an ice pack as lunch boxes are not refrigerated. Lunchboxes and water bottles MUST be
clearly named on the outside. Children cannot always identify their lunchbox and there are often
duplicates. Staff must be sure and check the right child has the right lunch for safety reason and the
risk of allergies.

Snack Time Policy

Whytebeams promotes healthy, balanced, nutritious snack and drinks. Snack time is a group social
event where children are encouraged to pause, hydrate and chat to their peers. Snack takes place
mid-morning at 10.15-10.30 for about 30 minutes and is followed by a learning activity linked to our
theme.

Staff ring a bell alerting children that it’s time for snack.
Children line up and are taken to the toilet to wash their hands.
Children then find their water bottle and sit for snack where they choose their fruit or vegetables
Children chat to their friends and adult helpers while enjoying their refreshments
When they have finished, they put their water bottles back and sit for a learning activity.
An allergy list will be adhered to and closely monitored.

Healthy Eating

Healthy options for snacks will be provided, these may include bread sticks, fruit and raw vegetables.
Children have free access to their water bottles and staff will top them up as required.

Cooking Activities

The staff member carrying out the ‘cooking’ activity will be responsible for the cleaning of all
equipment used and for giving instructions to the children regarding hand washing, hygiene and
using equipment safely. Children will not be allowed access to the kitchen or cooker. Staff will also
check children’s names against our allergy and food requirements list and children with allergies or
special dietary requirements will be included safely with alternative food or ingredients, where
possible.