Health and Nutrition
Nourishing Little Bodies, Growing Happy Minds
At The Wendy House, we are proud to provide well balanced, hot and cold meals and snacks that meet the whole daily nutrient requirements for children under 5. Extensive research has been carried out in this subject and we take great care in ensuring that we stay up to date with new recommendations and products.
We work closely with all our parents to ensure that any individual dietary and cultural requirements are met and that we avoid any issues with allergies. These are reviewed regularly and parents are encouraged to speak with our Manager if they have any concerns or updates that need to be added to their child’s records.
Our resident cook prepares fresh, nutritious meals – breakfast, lunch and tea – as well as healthy snacks and fresh fruit. Access to fresh water is available to all children throughout the day.
Mealtimes are an important part of the nursery day that we want all children to enjoy. We encourage them to be independent, considerate of others and understand the importance of eating well.
Meal and snack times are a key part of our day at The Wendy House, both nutritionally and socially. We feel it’s really important that all children, from babies to pre-school, look forward to and enjoy eating healthy food that looks good and tastes even better!
Throughout the day we ensure that every meal/snack served is age appropriate and portioned, whilst encouraging children to be independent, considerate of others as well as understanding the importance of eating well.
LUNCH
In 2024 we decided to recruit the services of a specialist nursery catering company called ‘Zebedees’, to provide and deliver freshly prepared hot lunches to our doorstep, daily.
WHY DID WE CHOOSE ZeBeDeeS?
- Their carefully prepared meals adhere to strict government guidelines for sugar and salt content, ensuring we are provided with a healthy and nutritious meal plan for children.
- Meals are prepared to meet the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
- There are nursery lunch options for a wide range of dietary needs, so that children will look forward to their lunchtime. This includes vegetarian, vegan, pork free, beef free and Halal meals. Meals that do not contain any of the 14 main allergens, including egg-free, soya-free, dairy-free and gluten-free options can be requested. Additionally, they can also provide substitute meals if a child is either intolerant or allergic to beans/pulses, tomatoes or citric acid
- Nursery meals are made with local ingredients. They ensure that sustainable meat, fish, and dairy suppliers are sourced as locally as possible. They know where ingredients originate, as well as being packed, transported and cooked, so you can be confident your children are enjoying fresh, safe, wholesome food.
Below is a sample Menu from Zebedees, which they update seasonally. Copies of this are readily available for parents at the nursery. Check out more information about Zebedees
Breakfast, snacks and afternoon tea are all sourced and prepared by nursery staff who hold food hygiene certificates. Again, we strictly adhere to any dietary needs/allergies and parental preferences regarding foods that they wish their child to avoid.
BREAKFAST – served between 7.30am – 9.00am
We recognise that a good breakfast is an essential start to every child’s day. That’s why, on arrival our children are served a choice of breakfast items including:-
A selection of cereals with milk, toast/crumpets/muffins with butter and jam. Milk or water
MID MORNING SNACK
Fresh fruit snack and refreshments
AFTERNOON TEA – served between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm
Sandwiches with a variety of savoury fillings/marmite/jam. Crackers and cheese. Yoghurts and fresh seasonal fruit.
Fresh water is readily available throughout the day
Good Food Today -
Healthy Futures Tomorrow
All meals provided at The Wendy House are subject to a voluntary daily consumables charge for funded children. Full details of these charges can be found on our Fees and Funding page
Proud of our 5 star rating
Find out more by getting in touch!
We want to hear from you so why not get in touch and come in and meet with us and see how we can help and care for your child.