Good nutrition is essential during childhood, as it is a time of rapid growth, development and activity. This is also a vital time for healthy tooth development and prevention of decay. General eating habits and patterns are formed in the first few years of life. Poor nutrition during these years is associated with an increased risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease [source: Nutrition Matters for the Early Years, Public Health UK document].
As a childcare provider, we play a key role in establishing a pattern of regular and healthy snack and meal times throughout a day. At The Old Railway House, our lovely cooks prepare food on-site every day. Where possible we use fresh ingredients and there is no added salt in our recipes. We deliver a 4-week rotating meal menu, packed with balanced, nutritional, healthy food choices. We are committed to reviewing and improving our menus on a regular basis, and we incorporate seasonal favourites along the way.
We support individual families specifically with feeding babies; whether it be breast milk, formula or other. We provide weaning support and tailor our catering to babies, so that it is appropriate for their age and development stage.
When children access three year old funding at nursery, parents have the choice to pay for nursery catering, or to provide food from home. Where families provide food from home, we encourage them to send healthy, balanced, nutritional choices for their children. We work in partnership and guide them along the way with a traffic light system which includes ideas for what sorts of things to provide.
We cater for all allergy and/or individual dietary requirements (for example dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, vegan etc.). We also cater for parental and religious preferences. Refreshments are available throughout the day and we offer a variety of snack options twice a day (morning and afternoon). If you would like to see our detailed menus, please get in touch.
Did you know...? In 2018, we achieved an accreditation from 'Food for Life, Soil Association', recognising our commitment to healthy choices, using seasonal and fresh produce, incorporating sustainable meat free days and more.