CARMEL CATERPILLARS PRE-SCHOOL 

 Safer Eating, Food and drink Policy

Food and Drink:

Staff have received basic food and hygiene training and the premises has a 5-star rating for food hygiene from the Food Hygiene Standards Agency.  All food preparation is carried out in accordance with the Food Hygiene requirements.

Carmel Caterpillars provides daily nutritional food for snack time. All food is prepared taking into consideration, allergies, dietary and religious requirements. This information is transferred from parent’s registration forms and are placed in the snack area so all staff are aware of children’s needs. Food will be stored at the appropriate temperature.

Parents provide packed lunches for children staying all day.  Specifications include: Sandwiches/ wraps/ pasta, healthy snacks, fruit, dairy produce and ice packs.  Parents are asked to cut all grapes/tomatoes and similar foods lengthways, large fruit to be cut into manageable pieces although staff will do so if parents forget.  We discourage parents from providing chocolate and sweets in their lunch boxes. High risk foods, such as popcorn and nuts will be removed and returned to the parents at pick up.

We organise snack times and lunch times so that they are a social occasion in which children and staff participate.

Milk is provided in line with allergies and fresh drinking water is accessible at all times for children. (Own, named water bottles are use) They independently help themselves, but are reminded to keep drinking in warm weather. Children are encouraged to clear any spillages with the support of a teacher as necessary.

Safer Eating

At Carmel Caterpillars we are committed to providing a safe eating environment for all our children.  We understand that children are at increased risk of choking, therefore procedures are in place to minimize the risks, while still promoting healthy eating, independence and a positive happy lunch/snack time.

Procedures To Prevent Chocking:

• Staff will sit and activity engage with the children during eating times. Promoting a relaxed, sociable and enjoyable event.
• Children to be both in sight and able to be heard
• Staff to sit facing children while they eat
• Distractions to be kept to a minimum
• All packed lunched to be checked to ensure food it adequate, balanced and cut up if necessary
• ALL staff to be Paediatric First Aid Trained
• Any incident to be logged, reported to parents/carers and review near misses to identify trends or specific problems.

Here at Carmel Caterpillars, we aim to:

• Reduce the risk of choking and asphyxiation
• Ensure children are supervised appropriately while eating and drinking, encouraged to sit while eating
• Support the children in developing safe eating habits
• Children encouraged to chew thoroughly
• Share healthy eating information with families and work in partnership to support any needs
• Create a positive and inclusive mealtime experience

Management will ensure:

• All staff receive appropriate training including Paediatric First Aid and food allergies. All in line with EYFS requirements
• Risk assessments are reviewed regularly
• Parents provide up to date dietary and allergy information and maintain records of any allergies/ intolerances
• Work with parents and outside agencies to support children with additional needs
• Adapt food textures when required
• Handwashing will be encouraged before eating and after outside play

Policy to be reviewed annually or sooner if changes occur within the EYFS

The original of this Policy was signed by the Chairperson on Behalf of Carmel Caterpillars Preschool.