Children under five are developing very fast, so they have high energy and nutrient requirements in relation to their size! Their little stomachs can’t process big meals so it is important that they eat little and often but that their between-meal snacks are just as nutritious as their main meals and follow the same general rules. Mid-morning and afternoon snacks should contain a balance of starch, fruit, vegetables, protein and dairy foods. This ensures that each day their food is balanced and that each snack is intended to provide 10 per cent of the children’s daily nutritional intake.
Snacktimes can develop good self-help skills
Help Yourself!
As with main meals, snack time brings with it some great opportunities for developing children’s self help skills and preparing them for school. Children should be able to help themselves to the different snack elements and we encourage them to be as self-sufficient as possible while supporting their choices. Children can help to prepare their own snacks by cutting fruit, vegetables and bread into manageable pieces, spreading their own toppings and pouring their own milk or water. Children are also asked to help staff by clearing their own plates away.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES – BHEYS ACCREDITATION AWARD
Eagley School House Nurseries have applied for an accreditation award for Early Years settings in Bolton. The award is in relation to providing quality training and support to achieve high standards in helping children to lead healthy lifestyles. The accreditation is evidence/recognition for achievement of high standards for the Nursery and proves we are going above and beyond in trying to educate our young children with regards to leading a healthy lifestyle.
The accreditation scheme is based on 5 themes:
HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINK
FOOD SAFETY
POSITIVE FEEDING PRACTICES
HEALTHY EATING AND WEIGHT
PHYSICAL EXERCISE