Healthy Lunchtimes For Every Child

At Heacham Infant and Nursery School, we aim to educate our children with the skills, knowledge and understanding enabling them to make informed healthy lifestyle choices.  To do that effectively, we need to work in partnership with our food provider and parents and carers in securing the best for every child. 

Eating well is important.  We follow Nutritional Guidance for EYFS and KS1 so that children have healthy, balanced diets. These standards make sure that school lunches always include:

• one or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day
• one or more portions of starchy food, such as bread or pasta every day
• a portion of food containing milk or dairy every day
• a portion of meat or poultry on 3 or more days each week
• oily fish once or more every 3 weeks

 Children need to eat well as it will give them energy and nutrients to grow and develop, and to be healthy and active.  A healthy, enjoyable lunch gives children the energy they need to learn and play at school.

 Allergies, intolerances and medical needs

Lunchtime Co manage our food menus and are able to take complete care of your child's allergens and medical diets. You should share any allergies or intolerances with the school on entry – make sure you bring medical information or an allergy plan to our office staff so we can plan through an Individual HealthCare Plan. 

Healthy Lunchtime for our Nursery and Preschool 

 Children attending nursery all day or at lunchtime can order a hot dinner. You can bring in a packed lunch. We request that you follow our nutritional guidance to ensure the lunchbox is healthy.

Supervision while eating

Our staff are trained to supervise children whilst eating both in EYFS and in the canteen. This is to help children manage their food, encourage them and also to check for medical needs such as signs of anaphylaxis or choking. This poster guides families on safe preparation for lunchboxes to avoid choking. 

Nursery Lunchtime Safety Poster

Food Standards Choking Poster 

Healthy Lunchbox Examples

Good nutrition in early childhood is crucial for rapid physical growth, cognitive development and building a strong immune system. A balanced diet prevents chronic diseases, maintains healthy energy levels, and establishes long-term, healthy eating habits.

The new EYFS nutrition guidance requires nurseries to follow updated, statutory, healthy eating standards for children aged 0-5. The guidance focusses on reducing sugary foods and salt, promoting nutritious, balanced meals and strengthening safety measures around choking and allergies.

Here are some recipes and ideas. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/tuna_and_sweetcorn_pasta_49236

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/spicy_tortilla_nests_90012

Here are some examples of healthy lunch boxes:

Useful websites for parents

A great website for providing meal ideas is Recipes and meal ideas – Best Start in Life – NHS

There is some useful advice on encouraging healthy lifestyles in children at Eat Better

These websites contain great ideas for lunch box recipes 75 Kids’ Lunchbox Recipes | Good Food and Lunchbox ideas and recipes – Healthier Families – NHS

Please see below some helpful website links from the NHS for guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/#recipes

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/#tips

https://www.nhs.uk/baby/weaning-and-feeding/what-to-feed-young-children/