Nursery Moksliukas

Healthy Eating policy

Policy Statement

The Nursery regards snack and meal times as an important part of the day. These times represent valuable social opportunities during which children can learn about healthy eating.

We provide snacks and meals that are nutritious and cater to each child’s individual dietary needs.

We recognise that healthier children learn more effectively, and we strive to make a positive impact on health-related issues such as obesity and poor dental health—concerns that are significant both nationally and particularly within the Newham community.

We understand that early food experiences have a significant impact on adult eating habits and can shape long-term attitudes toward food. Therefore, Nursery Moksliukas is committed to ensuring that the food we provide supports the development of healthy eating practices for the future.

Aim of Policy

This policy is designed to inform parents and team members about nutrition and mealtimes at Nursery Moksliukas. It aims to help identify and accommodate individual dietary needs, while promoting healthy eating in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Information about setting

Nursery Moksliukas is a small chain of two private nurseries. This policy specifically applies to our Canning Town nursery, which offers full-time and part-time places for up to 63 children per day, aged 6 months to 5 years.

Our families primarily come from Eastern Europe, although the number of children from other backgrounds is steadily growing.

Most children attend full-day sessions, between 1 to 5 days per week. The nursery also offers a small number of government-funded part-time places (see the relevant policy for more information).

We provide a carefully planned, four-week rotating menu, with three meals and two snacks prepared fresh on-site each day.

The nursery menu is displayed in the children’s rooms, and individual copies are available for parents upon request.

Nursery Moksliukas promotes healthy eating and oral health through in-house resources, including informative displays, leaflets, and printed Start4Life booklets.

In accordance with the Food Safety Act 1990, all individuals involved in food preparation either hold valid food hygiene certificates or have received training in the nursery’s food hygiene procedures.

In October 2017, we were awarded a 5-star food hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency. This rating reflects excellent standards in food hygiene, based on a thorough review of our systems, procedures, and the practices observed during the inspector’s unannounced visit.

 

Development and implementation of the food policy

The Deputy Manager, in collaboration with the nursery team, has reviewed this policy and discussed related issues. Key staff members continue to attend relevant training, and the needs of children aged 0–5 years have been considered in light of the knowledge gained.

Aspects of healthy eating are regularly shared with parents through various methods, including written information, displays, surveys, and conversations with key staff.

Menus are planned in advance, and both parents and children are encouraged to contribute suggestions.

All food is prepared on-site from scratch by experienced and trained cooks. Each cook holds a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (renewed every three years) and one of the cooks has completed Food Allergen Awareness training, in line with current food safety regulations.

We source our ingredients from Morrisons and Lituanica, with deliveries taking place twice a week to ensure a fresh supply of food, fruit, and vegetables.

The Healthy Eating Policy is available upon request, and parents are welcome to provide feedback. For staff, we hold regular meetings to maintain strong knowledge of healthy eating practices and to communicate any updates or changes.

This policy will be reviewed every three years, and its impact will be assessed as part of the review process.

 

Information about eating environment

Meals are served to each group of children in their own rooms. Older children are encouraged to develop independence by taking turns handing out plates, cups, and cutlery. Where appropriate for their age and stage of development, they are also encouraged to help with washing up, drying, and wiping the table after meals.

Children sit together and are supported in pouring their own drinks, serving themselves, cutting food, and clearing away when they have finished. Cups, bowls, and spoons are later washed by an adult in the kitchen to maintain hygiene standards.

Children who eat slowly are never rushed to finish their meals.

Staff are encouraged to model positive eating habits by sitting and eating with the children. Practitioners initiate conversations during mealtimes, encouraging table manners and the use of polite language such as “please” and “thank you.”

Eating areas are clean and bright. All tables are wiped with disinfectant before each meal.

A healthy eating display is located near the cloakroom area for parents’ information. Displays often include photos of children participating in snack times, cooking, or tasting activities. In or near the bathroom areas, there are also displays promoting healthy practices such as hand washing.

The nursery uses meals and snack times as opportunities to support children’s independence by allowing them to make choices, serve food and drink, and feed themselves. Staff encourage children to try a little of everything, but do not pressure them to eat if they choose not to. If a child is fussy about a meal, staff gently prompt them to eat the healthier components before any treats. Children are praised when they try something new.

Fresh drinking water is always available for children to help themselves, and additional water is offered frequently—especially during hot weather or outdoor play.

 

Information on meals, snacks and drinks provided

The Nursery Manager has completed training on providing healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and has used the guidance from this training to develop a four-week rotating menu. The menu now complies with current recommendations for providing a balanced diet, including appropriate portions of starchy foods, proteins, dairy, and fruit and vegetables.

The nursery organises meals and snack times as social occasions in which both children and staff actively participate.

Children are provided with utensils appropriate to their age and stage of development, supporting their independence and motor skills.

Nursery staff provide feedback to parents on how their child has eaten, either through daily feedback sheets or verbal communication at the end of the day.

 

Meals/snacks

Nursery Meal & Snack Schedule

  • Breakfast: 9:00 – 9:30 am

  • Morning Snack: 11:00 am

  • Lunch: 12:30 pm

  • Afternoon Snack: 3:00 pm

  • Dinner: 4:00 pm

We offer fresh fruit and vegetables everyday for a snack and all other meals enhanced with wide offer of fresh and cooked vegetables and salads.

The Nursery menu includes a variety of foods from the four main food groups:

  • Meat, fish and protein alternatives
  • Dairy foods
  • Grains, cereals and starch vegetables
  • Fruit and vegetables

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, the Nursery operates a strict no nut policy. No foods containing nuts or nut products are allowed on the premises.

We provide nutritious food at all snack and meal times, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar and salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings- low salt and sugar varieties are purchased and tinned vegetables and fish are in spring water rather than oil or salted water.

At mealtimes, children are encouraged to take a small portion first, with the option to have more if they wish. They are also supported to finish the food they serve themselves.

Practitioners record how much each child eats, and detailed reports are shared with parents in the evening. If a child consistently eats very little or regularly leaves large amounts of food, practitioners are advised to raise their concerns with the Nominated Person for Healthy Eating or a member of the Management Team.

The Nursery includes foods from the diet of each of the children’s cultural backgrounds, providing children with familiar foods and introducing them to new ones.

The Nursery provides a meat/fish option everyday and a vegetarian alternative once a week.

A salad is placed in a separate bowl for the children to help themselves to- staff encourages children to help themselves to salad explaining how important it is to eat vegetables.

Depending on availability, children are offered a variety of different options for a snack throughout the week: vegetables/fruit (apples, carrots, oranges, pears, tomatoes, strawberries, bananas, etc.) for the morning snack and starchy food for the afternoon meal.

Individual dietary requirements required for medical or cultural reasons will be respected and, where possible, catered for.

Parents are encouraged to work with the Nursery Management Team creating the menu which is mostly suitable for all (and their child individually) children, that there may no need to provide the food for the child from home.

All eating problems (like fussy eating) will be discussed in a supportive and sensitive manner- offered strategies, courses in local Children centres, close monitoring and daily feedback for parents. All exemptions should be discussed and agreed prior to any further actions.

We will gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any allergies, during initial conversation on accepting the child to the Nursery. Where appropriate we will work alongside parents to put into place an individual diet plan for their child in a way to define possible allergies, while at the same time encouraging parents to get the allergy source confirmed by the doctor.

 

Drinks

The Nursery provides cow’s milk and oat drink for children with lactose intolerance.

Only milk and water are provided as drinks to promote oral health

All children in the Nursery are offered milk every day alongside their daily meals.

Water is freely available to all children and staff- a self-serve water tank (Britta) is in every room. Children are encouraged often to have a drink, especially on hot days.

No other drinks are offered to children instead of milk or water.

 

At Nursery Moksliukas, we believe that mealtimes should be happy and social occasions for both children and staff. We actively promote shared, enjoyable, and positive interactions during these times, recognising the importance of creating a relaxed and supportive environment around food.

We are fully committed to providing children with healthy, nutritious, and well-balanced meals and snacks that are tailored to meet their individual needs and dietary requirements. This policy has been developed in line with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2025, as well as the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance,[1] to ensure that every child safely receives the best possible start in developing lifelong healthy eating habits.

 

Mealtime environment

  • No child is ever left alone when eating or drinking to minimise the risk of choking, and a qualified paediatric first aider is always present during meal and snack times
  • Staff set a good example, eat with the children, and demonstrate good table manners. Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meal and snack times children are encouraged to use appropriate table manners and staff promote conversation to support social development
  • Staff use meal and snack times to help children to develop independence through making choices, serving food and drinks, and feeding themselves
  • Any child who shows signs of distress at being faced with a meal they do not like will have their food removed without any fuss. If a child does not finish their first course, they will still be given a helping of any second dish
  • Children not on special diets are encouraged to eat a small piece of everything
  • Children who refuse to eat at the mealtime are offered food later in the day
  • Children are given time to eat at their own pace and are not rushed.

 

Management of food allergies and dietary needs

  • All allergens are displayed alongside the menus to show the ingredients of each meal
  • Individual dietary requirements are respected. Before a child joins the nursery, we gather information from parents regarding their children’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has, and any special health requirements. All information is shared with staff involved in preparing and handling food
  • Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary/allergy plan for their child. This will be regularly reviewed and any changes shared with all staff
  • We give careful consideration to seating to avoid cross contamination of food from child to child. A member of staff will sit with children during meals to ensure safety and minimise risks.
  • At each meal and snack time, we ensure a nominated practitioner is responsible for checking that the food being provided meets all the requirements for each child
  • Where appropriate, discussions will also take place with children about allergies and potential risks to make them aware of the dangers of sharing certain foods
  • Staff show sensitivity in providing for children’s diets and allergies. They do not use a child’s diet or allergy as a label for the child, or make a child feel singled out because of their diet or allergy.Our approach to food and healthy eating
    • A balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, tea and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery
    • Menus are planned in advance and in line with example menu and guidance produced by the Department for Education (copies can be provided on request). These are rotated regularly, reflect cultural diversity and variation and are displayed for children and parents to view; parents and children are involved in menu planning
    • Menus include at least 1 serving of fresh fruit and vegetables per day
    • We provide nutritious food at all snack and mealtimes, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt and artificial additives, preservatives and colourings
    • Quantities offered take account of the ages of the children being catered for, in line with recommended portion sizes for babies and young children.

     

    Choking Prevention and Supervision

    To minimise choking risks, we will:

    • Prepare food in age-appropriate ways to reduce choking hazards
    • Ensure babies and young children are seated securely in highchairs or low chairs while eating
    • Use a designated eating area where distractions are minimised

    Supervision Protocol:

    • Children will always be within sight and hearing of a staff member while eating
    • Staff will remain alert, as choking can occur silently
    • Where possible, adults will sit facing children during meals to:
    • Monitor eating safely
    • Discourage food sharing
    • Spot early signs of allergic reactions

    If a child experiences a choking incident that requires intervention:

    • A detailed record will be completed, including the time, nature of the incident, and response given
    • Parents/carers will be informed as soon as possible
    • Incident records will be reviewed periodically to identify trends or potential hazards, with corrective action taken where necessary

Food safety and hygiene

  • All staff who prepare and handle food are competent to do so and receive training in food hygiene which is updated every three years
  • All staff are trained in preparing foods safely to avoid the risk of choking, following the Foods Standards Agency guidelines
  • All staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis
  • All staff are aware of the differences between allergies and intolerances, including that they need to maintain vigilance as children can develop allergies at any time

In the very unlikely event of any food poisoning affecting two or more children on the premises, whether or not this may arise from food offered at the nursery, we will inform Ofsted as soon as reasonably practical and in all cases within 14 days. We will also inform the relevant health agencies and follow any advice given.

Packed Lunches

The nursery recognizes that some children may require special diets that sometimes it is very hard for the Nursery to meet. If Nurseries meals don’t suit the child- there can be an option to bring their own food to the Nursery. In this case parents are urged to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible.

Children, eating packed lunches, sit alongside their peers at the table in their rooms and are encouraged, in the same way, to eat what has been provided for them and not waste food. They should not be throwing away uneaten items at Nursery, so that parents are aware of what their child has consumed at Nursery.

We aim to encourage children to bring healthy packed lunches with a variety of foods. Practitioners and other staff on duty in the rooms are encouraged to express any concerns they may have regarding any children that consistently bring unsuitable options in their packed lunches. Management or nominated people for Early Help will then follow up with parents and monitor situations, as necessary.

As fridge space is limited in the Nursery, parents are advised to bring packed lunches in insulated bags with freezer blocks, where possible, to stop the food spoiling.

There is a number of ways to keep packed lunches cold:

  • commercial gel packs
  • water frozen in a rigid, leak-proof plastic container
  • ice cubes in a leak-proof container

Guidance for what to include:

Every day:

  • At least one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables
  • Meat, fish or other source of non-dairy protein (e.g. lentils, kidney beans, hummus, falafel)
  • A starchy food (e.g. bread, pasta, rice, couscous, noodles, potatoes or other types of cereals)
  • Dairy food (e.g. milk, yogurt, cheese or custard)

It is recommended that an oily fish (e.g. salmon) should be included around once every three weeks.

Drinks: Only water (still), milk, yogurt or milk drinks.

Guidance for what not to include:

  • Snacks, such as crisps. Instead, include savory crackers or bread sticks.
  • Confectionery such as chocolate bars and especially sweets. Cakes and biscuits are allowed but encourage your child to eat these only as part of a balanced meal
  • Meat products such as sausage rolls, individual pies, corned meat and sausages/chipolatas should be included only occasionally
  • Fizzy drinks
  • Please be aware that we do have children and team members with severe allergies to nuts – thank you for not including them in your child’s packed lunches.

Food brought from home 

  • We do allow children to bring packed lunches into the setting.  We provide parents with guidelines for nutritious content and signpost to the NHS packed lunch guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes/
  • We share the Food Standards Agency choking hazards guidance to support parents to prepare foods to reduce choking hazards
  • We provide appropriate storage in allocated fridges or parents requested use ice packs
  • We do provide reheating services for children’s packed lunches
  • Children’s lunch boxes are clearly labelled and checked prior to giving the contents to the children to ensure any risks from potential allergens or choking hazards are managed.

 

Our policy is developed in partnership with parents, staff and children and reviewed on a regular basis.

Nursery Procedures for Promoting Healthy Eating and Managing Special Dietary Requirements, Allergies, and Intolerances

At our Nursery, we are committed to promoting healthy eating and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, especially those with special dietary requirements, allergies, or intolerances. We understand the importance of maintaining high standards of safety and communication, and we follow the procedures below to ensure that children with dietary needs are well cared for and supported.

Initial Assessment and Parent Collaboration

  • Before a child starts at the Nursery, parents are required to provide detailed information regarding their child’s dietary needs, including any allergies, intolerances, and food preferences.
  • Where appropriate, we work in partnership with parents to create an individual dietary care plan, identifying specific dietary restrictions. We also encourage parents to seek medical confirmation of suspected allergies.
  • Each child’s dietary information is recorded in their Personal Details Record and the Food Allergies Folder. Parents must sign the relevant forms to confirm the accuracy of this information.

Ongoing Monitoring and Updates

  • Parents are consulted regularly, and dietary records are reviewed and updated termly (once every school term).
  • Updated dietary information must be signed by parents each term to confirm its accuracy.
  • Up-to-date dietary needs of all children are clearly displayed:

 

  • At the sign-in table
  • In the child’s room
  • In the kitchen

This ensures that all staff, including cooks, practitioners, and assistants, are fully aware of every child’s requirements.

Daily Operational Procedures

Management Responsibilities:

  • Keep the “Allergies” folder, kitchen, and room displays up to date daily.
  • Highlight the names of children with dietary needs on the sign-in sheet each day upon arrival.

Kitchen Staff Responsibilities:

  • Check both the daily register (located at the entrance) and the allergy information displayed in the kitchen (e.g., on the fridge).
  • If any discrepancies are found, immediately raise concerns with management.
  • Ensure color-coded plates and bowls are used for children with specific dietary requirements, to avoid cross-contamination.

Practitioners/Assistants Responsibilities:

  • Before food is delivered to the room, check which children are present and verify meals with the cook.
  • Request personalised meals for children with allergies/intolerances.
  • When serving food, exercise extra care, vigilance, and awareness regarding dietary restrictions.

General Guidelines and Safeguards

  • We ensure that only food and drink consistent with each child’s needs—as well as parents’ wishes—are served.
  • The Nursery maintains a strict no-nuts policy and is especially vigilant where children or staff have a known nut allergy.
  • Staff are trained to handle dietary needs with sensitivity:
  1. A child’s allergy or dietary need is not used as a label.
  2. No child is made to feel excluded or different due to their dietary restrictions.

Communication with Parents

  • Nursery staff provide daily feedback to parents about their child’s eating:

  • Via the Famly app
  • Or verbally at pick-up time

By following these procedures, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and healthy environment for all children in our care.

In the event of any incident involving a failure to follow a child’s dietary requirements, parents must be informed immediately. Staff should follow the guidance provided on the regularly updated Food Alert Forms. These forms are reviewed by the manager every September and April and must be signed by parents to confirm accuracy.

In case of Emergency, follow

Celebration of birthdays and special occasions

Celebrations are ideal opportunities for encouraging children to recognise and talk about kindness, sharing, and celebrating their own family events and achievements. This can take place during birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, and also during circle times.

Parents are not encouraged to bring in food for birthdays or special occasions. However, if they feel it is necessary, they may bring in fruit or fresh vegetables only. Birthday celebrations will last approximately 15–30 minutes and include activities such as music, dancing, and crafts. The specific way the celebration is carried out will be solely at the discretion of the room’s team.

Cakes, sweets, crisps, and similar items are not allowed in the Nursery. If such items are brought in, they will not be given to the children and will be sent back home at the end of the day.

If there is an occasion (such as a family celebration or leavers’ day) when food has been brought in from home, it will be laid out and clearly labelled with a sign stating “Brought in from home” and listing all ingredients. Parents can then decide whether they would like their child to have it.

Below are some ideas for alternatives to “birthday cake”:

Birthdays

  • Sing “Happy Birthday”
  • Children wear the setting’s birthday sash
  • Children create a cake using playdough
  • Children wear a special birthday hat
  • Create a watermelon “cake”
  • Play party games such as: Musical statues, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs.
  • Children wear a birthday badge or hat
  • Plan a special game or activity
  • Have a dance party

Other Special Occasions

  • Special themed arts and crafts activities, such as cutting out snowflakes, drawing and colouring, making cards, or creating colourful paper lanterns
  • Decorate the room with children’s creations, or use balloons, banners, and streamers
  • Sing traditional or cultural songs
  • Dress up in themed or cultural outfits
  • Read themed or cultural storybooks
  • Create a healthy themed recipe with the children — you could also invite parents to submit healthy recipe suggestions

Some cultural celebrations and festivities we celebrate include:

  • Christmas
  • Purim
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day
  • Mother’s Day, Father’s Day
  • Easter
  • Queen’s Birthday / Queen’s Jubilee
  • Bonfire Night
  • Remembrance Day
  • Harvest Festival
  • Charity events: Red Nose Day, Christmas Jumper day and etc.
  • Leavers’ celebration
  • Other celebrations mentioned in children’s “All about me” book by parents

All information and ideas will be shared with parents during their induction day and healthy eating Policy is on display at parents’ sign-in desk.

Food preparation, storage and food safety

Nursery Moksliukas is committed to ensuring that safe and healthy practices are followed in the storage, preparation, and serving of food throughout the setting.

It is the responsibility of the Deputy Manager to ensure that all staff involved in food preparation are appropriately trained in Food Hygiene and that they understand and implement this policy in full.

All staff members are responsible for maintaining safe practices in the preparation and storage of food, ensuring that all food hygiene procedures comply with relevant legislation, training requirements, and Nursery policies.

Personal Hygiene                                                                                                                               

The setting maintains high standards of personal hygiene for all staff involved in the handling and preparation of food.

Staff members are responsible for ensuring that any children involved in snack preparation follow strict hygiene procedures (e.g. washing hands before handling food). In addition, any individual showing signs of illness will not be permitted to handle food.

Food deliveries

Food for the nursery is ordered and delivered twice a week to ensure the freshness of meat, vegetables, and fruit.

Our main suppliers are Morrisons and Lituanica.

Responsibilities:

 

  • Nursery cooks are responsible for planning food orders. This is done carefully to prevent food waste.

  • The Nursery Administrator places online orders (via Morrisons) or collects and delivers goods in person from Lituanica.

  • Nursery cooks, together with the Deputy Manager, accept deliveries and check the dates, quantities, and quality of the delivered goods.

 

Temperature Control

It is the policy of Nursery Moksliukas to ensure that all food is stored according to safe food handling practices and at the correct temperatures. This is done to prevent the growth and multiplication of foodborne pathogens, reduce food spoilage, and maintain food quality.

Fridge temperatures are checked and recorded daily by the cooks to ensure proper temperature control. A reminder of the correct temperature range is displayed on a sticker on the fridge door.

The Deputy Manager is responsible for conducting morning and end-of-day checks to ensure compliance.

 

Food storage

All food is stored in the kitchen; no other storage areas are used.

The kitchen is equipped with a fridge for fresh food, a freezer for frozen food, and high shelves and cupboards for storing dry goods.

The cooks are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of all storage areas. Cleanliness must be maintained daily, with any spills cleaned immediately. In addition, a thorough deep clean is recommended twice a year.

 

Food preparation areas

All meals and snacks are prepared in the kitchen by qualified and trained members of staff.

All surfaces are cleaned before and after food handling, and colour-coded chopping boards are used to prevent cross-contamination.

When snack preparation is used as part of a children’s cooking activity, strict hygiene procedures are followed in the rooms. This includes cleaning tables beforehand and ensuring children wear aprons, gloves, and cook’s hats.

Staff qualifications

Under the Food Safety Act 1990, anyone preparing food must hold a Food Hygiene Certificate or have received initial training in the nursery’s food hygiene procedures.

In October 2017, the nursery was awarded a 5-star rating by the Food Standards Agency for maintaining very good standards in food hygiene. This rating is based on a review of the nursery’s systems and processes, as well as the actual practices observed by the inspector during an unannounced inspection.

 

Infant Feeding Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all staff at Nursery Moksliukas understand their roles and responsibilities in supporting expectant and new mothers—and their partners—in feeding and caring for their baby in ways that promote optimal health and well-being.

The nursery believes that breastfeeding is the healthiest way for a woman to feed her baby and recognises the significant health benefits it provides for the mother, her child, and society.

The nursery recognises the importance of helping parents develop close and loving relationships with their babies to optimise infant brain development.

All mothers have the right to receive clear and impartial information to enable them to make a fully informed choice about how they feed and care for their babies.

Nursery Moksliukas staff will not discriminate against any woman based on her chosen method of infant feeding and will fully support her once she has made her choice.

This policy aims to ensure that the services and care provided improve outcomes for children and their families, with a particular emphasis on achieving the following:

  • An increase in breastfeeding rates at 6–8 weeks
  • Safe bottle feeding among parents who choose to formula feed, in line with nationally agreed guidance
  • An increase in safe and responsive feeding for babies who are formula fed, in accordance with nationally agreed guidance (UNICEF, 2015)
  • A higher proportion of parents introducing solid foods to their baby in line with nationally agreed guidance
  • Improved parental experiences of care

The Nursery uses displays and Start4Life booklets to promote breastfeeding and safe formula feeding.

Nursery avoids promoting formula-milk and promotional materials from infant formula companies.

The children’s individual needs will be discussed with parents to ensure that they are met. Feeds will be prepared when they are required by the babies and not as part of the nursery routine.

 

Welcoming Atmosphere for Breastfeeding Families

Breastfeeding will be regarded as the normal way to feed babies and young children.

Mothers will be enabled and supported to breastfeed their infants in all public areas of premises whilst acknowledging that some mothers may prefer to feed in private. For private breastfeeding we have a cosy sofa room by the kitchen and main hall.

Posters in all public areas of the facility will inform users of this policy and of them welcome to breastfeed.

Employees of Nursery Moksliukas, who return to work whilst breastfeeding, will be supported in the continuation and maintenance of their lactation via expression of breast milk within a safe environment.

 

Breast Milk Policy

Nursery Moksliukas participates in the active encouragement of mothers to breastfeed their babies. Therefore, the Nursery has put into place a Policy and associated Procedures to detail those arrangements necessary for the safe storage and use of breast milk.

Containers

  • Breast milk should be brought to the Nursery in a sterilized bottle or in a sterile breast milk bag, suitable for the purpose of refrigerated storage and clearly marked with the infant’s full name.
  • Bottles will be returned to parents/carers at the end of each Nursery day. The containers will be washed, but not sterilized.
  • Parents must ensure that the container is sterilized before reuse.

Storage

Breast milk should be provided on a daily basis, unused milk will be discarded at the end of each feed.

 

General Handling

Carers will ensure that the following Policy is strictly adhered to:

  • Breast milk is to be kept sterile at all times
  • DO NOT leave breast milk at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  • DO NOT heat breast milk on the stove or in the microwave

 

Nursery Breast Milk Procedures

The following procedures are to be used by all staff handling, storing or using breast milk to feed an infant:

On Delivery:

  • Ensure that the parent has provided the breast milk in an airtight bottle clearly marked with the child’s name and dated.
  • Breast milk is to be placed at the back of the fridge where it is the coolest prior to feeding an infant with breast milk.

Before feeding an infant with breast milk, ensure that:

  • A positive identification of the child is made, the date is checked and the correct breast milk is be fed to the correct child.
  • Staff to ensure that they put on gloves and an apron when feeding a child breast milk

Warming Breast Milk

  • Breast milk is to be warmed to a suitable body temperature by placing it in a bottle warmer or bowl with hot water.
  • The milk is then to be checked for temperature to ensure that the milk is cool enough for the baby to drink, using a temperature probe (should be around 37’C).
  • DO NOT HEAT breast milk on the stove or in the microwave.

Feeding an Infant with Breast Milk

  • Feed the baby as normal using a suitable bottle and teat.
  • Ensure that the baby is ‘winded’ correctly.

After feeding an infant with Breast Milk

  • Unused breast milk (in that bottle) is to be discarded after 1 hour
  • Record feed time and amount taken by the infant
  • Discard gloves and apron
  • After final feed or at the end of the day discard all thawed and unused breast milk stored for that child

Hygiene

Breast milk is a bodily fluid, which carries with it a (small) risk of infection and/or disease.

The Nursery Policy is to advise staff handling or carrying out the feeding of breast milk to protect themselves against the risks of infection by:

  • Implementing good hygiene practices
  • Using the PPE provided (advisable but not mandatory)
  • Avoiding actual contact with the breast milk
  • Only employees that hold a level 2 food hygiene, and have been trained in Safer Food Better Business or have undertaken training by management will undertake feed preparation duties.

 

Formula Milk Policy

On Delivery:

  • Provide either: a carton of ready to use formula milk, a sealed pre- prepared formula powder as originally purchased or prepared formula powder in a sealed airtight container (with suitable pre-measured compartments which is named) alongside a suitable named bottle
  • Provide suitable ready-made formula milk in cartons, which can be opened at Nursery then discarded at the end of the day. The Formula Milk carton is to be warmed as advised on the carton itself.

 

Formula Milk Procedures

The following procedures are to be used by all staff, handling, storing or using formula milk to feed a baby:

On Delivery: Ensure that the parent has provided the powder in an airtight container /or a carton of formula milk and bottle/s clearly marked with the baby’s name prior to feeding a baby with formula milk

Before feeding a child with formula milk, ensure that;

A positive identification of the baby is made, and the correct formula milk is fed to the correct baby

Preparing Formula Milk

To prepare a babies formula milk staff must:

  • Put on a disposable apron (advisable but not mandatory).
  • Read thoroughly the parents instructions to indicate the amount of water that is to be boiled.
  • Boil the kettle and leave to cool slightly.
  • Wash hands.
  • Measure the correct quantity of water into the bottle.
  • Allow the water to cool for at least 20 minutes so that a reaches a temperature of approximately 70’C degrees.
  • Mix into the water the correct measurement of formula powder from the pre-measured powder container.
  • Attach the sterilised teat and shake the bottle vigorously.
  • The milk is then to be tested using a temperature probe so that it is at body temperature (37’C).
  • If the milk is still too warm to feed the baby with, hold the bottle under cool running water until it cools.

Feeding a baby with Formula Milk

  • Feed the baby as normal using their bottle and teat.
  • Ensure that the baby is ‘winded’ correctly.

After feeding a baby with Formula Milk

  • Discard any milk that has not been used within 2 hours
  • Record feed time and amount taken by the baby

Sterilization of bottles teats:

  • Wash the bottles and teats with warm soapy water and put in a bowl with warm water (5 litres) in which 1 Milton tablet was dissolved- keep in it at least 15min.
  • The equipment is ready to use. No need to rinse.

Staff Responsibilities

  • Staff will follow the correct procedures for handling either formula or breast milk and will adhere to both Food Hygiene standards and Health and Safety guidelines.
  • Staff will adhere to this policy and its procedures.
  • Staff should record the amount of formula or breast milk consumed by the baby in the Baby’s Diary so that the parent can be informed of the child’s intake for that day.

During a feed:

  • Babies will never be left unsupervised. A member of staff (if possible their key person) should hold the baby and sit on the armchair in the baby-room.
  • Staff are not required to wear gloves or aprons when feeding bottles to babies as it is important to make them feel comfortable and to feed them in a ‘home like’ environment.

 

Introducing solid food

All mothers will be encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, and to continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate solid foods until two years of age or beyond, as desired by both mother and baby. They should be informed that solid foods are not recommended for babies under six months of age (UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, 2008).

All information and resources about introducing solid foods should reflect the Department of Health recommendations.

All parents will have a discussion during their nursery induction (including the provision of booklets) covering:

  • That solid food should be introduced at around six months
  • The signs of developmental readiness for solid foods
  • How to introduce solid food to babies
  • Appropriate foods for babies
  • Where to access additional information about introducing solids

Procedures:

Babies will be introduced to solid foods no earlier than six months of age.

When your child is ready to begin weaning, the team will support them in exploring a variety of flavours and textures, based on their individual nutritional needs.

Food appropriate for each stage of weaning will be provided. Your child’s key person will discuss their individual needs with you, and the Nominated Healthy Eating Lead will ensure that your child receives appropriately tailored meals.

The Nursery will prepare formula milk and will make every effort to follow each baby’s home feeding routine.
The Baby Room has a dedicated milk preparation area, and we can also store and prepare bottles of expressed breast milk if you are breastfeeding.

Food for babies under one year is freshly prepared on site, following national health guidelines.
No salt or sugar is added to dishes prepared for babies.

All staff are introduced to the Nursery’s commitment to working towards the Nutrition and Wellbeing Bronze Award and are encouraged to participate by attending training relevant to their role.

Staff are informed and encouraged to attend training sessions and review materials (booklets and resources) on topics including:

  • The benefits of breastfeeding and bottle feeding
  • The introduction of solid foods (healthy weaning)
  • Fussy eating
  • Menu planning

Staff are also encouraged to promote a welcoming, social environment during mealtimes, to be open and responsive to parents’ questions, and to refer parents to their GP or local Children’s Centres when needed.

The Nursery will inform parents who provide food for their child under one year of age that:

  • All food must be clearly labelled with the child’s name, a description of the food, and the date of preparation. Unlabelled food will not be accepted.
  • Food can only be reheated once, to a minimum temperature of 83°C, and this must be recorded in the Babies’ Food Temperature Log.
  • Rice products cannot be reheated due to food safety concerns.

 

How does the policy link in with the curriculum and EYFS

Learning about food is integrated into our educational planning, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
Staff are encouraged to attend training sessions (such as the Nutrition and Wellbeing Award) focused on healthy eating, and to participate in staff meetings where practical ideas and encouragement are shared.

Practitioners are encouraged to use every opportunity to talk about healthy food and lifestyles throughout the day—including during free play, mealtimes, and planned activities.

PSED (Personal, Social and Emotional Development)

  • Mealtimes offer children the opportunity to taste different foods, overcome dislikes, and learn how to share.
  • Cooking activities provide opportunities to learn through collaboration with others and help build self-esteem.

PD (Physical Development)

  • Fine and gross motor skills are developed through activities such as gardening, using knives and forks, preparing food, and washing up.
  • Mealtimes can support children in making healthy food choices.

L (Literacy)

  • Many stories involve food, which we use to explore ingredients, where food comes from (e.g. growing, harvesting, cooking, and eating), and food used in special celebrations from different cultures.
  • Language skills are developed and senses are explored through discussing and describing the taste, texture, appearance, and smell of food.

M (Mathematics)

  • Activities like counting spoons or pieces of fruit during snack time help develop numeracy skills.
  • Sorting and matching different types of food support organisational skills and reasoning.

CL (Communication and Language)

  • Sitting together at the table provides a valuable opportunity to develop conversation and social skills, such as taking turns and caring for others.

UW (Understanding the World)

  • Food tasting activities teach children about ingredients, seasonal foods, and cultural diversity in food.
  • Growing fruit and vegetables helps children learn where food comes from, understand life cycles, and engage in gardening—an excellent form of physical activity.

ExAD (Expressive Arts and Design)

  • Art activities involving food can encourage children to engage with food through exploration of colour, shape, and design.

 

Cooking with children

Cooking with children is an enjoyable activity and an effective way to encourage them to try and enjoy a wide variety of foods.
Practitioners are encouraged to carry out cooking activities with children at least once a week.

Recipes are selected to promote healthy eating and to extend children’s experiences beyond the home.
All recipes involve simple food preparation techniques such as mixing, combining, and assembling—for example, making dips, cupcakes, scones, or layered fruit and yoghurt pots.

Activities are carefully planned to ensure they are as safe as possible.
Children may require assistance from an adult, and all cooking activities are closely supervised by staff.

If sweet foods such as cakes or biscuits are made, they are either eaten as part of a meal at the setting or taken home to be eaten later, in line with best practices for protecting dental health.

 

Protecting Children’s Health – Being Active

The nursery takes its responsibility to protect children’s health seriously. This includes supporting children in maintaining a healthy weight as they grow, encouraging breastfeeding, and promoting good dental hygiene. We are working towards achieving the Baby Friendly Initiative and have a clear policy in place regarding infant feeding.

The nursery promotes health and development by focusing on both a nutritious diet and regular physical activity to help maintain a healthy weight. Where there are concerns—such as a child gaining weight too quickly, growing too slowly, or showing signs of disordered eating—we signpost parents to appropriate health professionals for advice and support.

We also support families by providing information about Healthy Start vitamin drops, which contain vitamins A, C, and D. These are recommended for children aged six months to four years, as well as for adults who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Regular physical activity during the early years provides both immediate and long-term benefits for physical and mental well-being. We actively promote, including through displays, the recommendation that all children under five years should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (such as being restrained or sitting still) for extended periods—except during sleep.

Physical activity is included in all daily sessions, through activities such as walking, active play, and group games. We also offer sessions dedicated entirely to physical activity. In line with Department of Health guidelines, we aim to ensure that children are physically active for at least 180 minutes (three hours) each day, as recommended for children under five in the UK.

The nursery encourages practitioners to make full use of the outdoor areas whenever possible. This includes promoting free flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, and ensuring that children spend at least two hours outdoors daily during colder seasons, weather permitting.

 

Provision for staff

Staff are encouraged to eat the nursery’s food (which is provided at low cost and made affordable) while sitting with the children. This helps model good table manners and supports children in trying new foods and learning about healthy eating.

However, if staff prefer to bring their own meals, this is allowed in the rooms—provided the food choices still promote healthy eating. Please note: no nuts are allowed due to allergy risks.

If staff prefer to eat in a quieter space, the staff room is available for use during break times. It is equipped with a fridge, kettle, sink, Brita water tank, and microwave for staff convenience.

 

Communicating the policy to parents

The nursery strives to promote healthy eating habits and good nutrition among children and their families through displays, leaflets, daily conversations, and organised parents’ evenings. During these events, we share the nursery’s philosophy and explain how healthy eating and nutrition are an integral part of the curriculum.

From time to time, the nursery invites professionals—such as paediatricians, nutritionists, or dentists—to speak at parents’ evenings to further support and promote healthy eating and lifestyles.

Weekly menus are displayed in each room, where families can easily view them. Copies are also available from the office to take home. Where possible, we highlight the nutritional value of meals on the menu.

The nursery actively provides information to families—and to anyone entering the setting—about local services, agencies, and community resources that support healthy lifestyles.

Our Healthy Eating Policy is displayed at the parents’ sign-in area, where families are encouraged to read it and are welcome to provide feedback or suggestions.

 

Policy review

The policy first time was updated, following Early Start recommendations, in March, 2019.

The first update will be done for September, 2019, after that- every 3 years.

Update done: October 2025