Healthy Eating
We aim to offer the children a wide variety of meals and hope this is reflected in our menu's. Healthy eating/lifestyle is an integral part of Chapel Grange, we discuss the value of food and the importance of a healthy and varied diet. At meals times the children are encouraged to try their food, before making a decision on their preference!
Another important aspect of meal times is developing appropriate tables manners. All the children are taught/asked to use these and say 'please', 'thank you' and 'excuse me' where necessary while their mouth is empty! We use nice calm talking voices at the dinner table and always tuck in our chair when leaving the table.
Independence is strongly advocated during all aspects of the nursery day and meal times are no exception. The children serve their meals to their friends and then the children will carry their food to their table. Once they have seated themselves they begin their lunch/tea and are encouraged to pour themselves a cup of water (we encourage them to drink it all). Should there be any spillages during meal times the children will leave the table (chair tucked in) collect paper towels and clean it up. Once they have finished they put the used towels into the bin. Spillages or any accidents are viewed as purely that, 'accidents' The children are simply encouraged to clean it up and the situation remains positive, everyone has accidents and we all learn from them! Once the children have finished their meals, they will take their plate/bowl etc back to the serving tables and scrape any remaining food away and place their knife and forks in a bowl. They then clear their place mat and cup away too. The children will then collect a warm face flannel and clean their hands and face! Some children wish to assist with tidying the hall and will offer to help stack the chairs, clean the tables and sweep the floor.
As you can see this aspect of the nursery day holds a terrific amount of value. We believe the children should enjoy meal times and encounter positive experiences. In doing so the children will have a confident and enthusiastic approach to a variety of meals and trying different foods becomes a matter of routine!
Through positive meal times the children learn excellent manners, co-operation and positive interaction with others, independence, confidence, a sense of ownership and belonging, to be fair, the list is endless, I am sure you get my drift!
As I am sure you do, lets keep meals times' fun and exciting, all the while providing a healthy and varied diet.
Happy healthy eating