Our much-loved caterer, Emma, comes in every day to prepare freshly made meals for the children.
We understand the importance of healthy bodies and minds and how vital it is to eat the right food for growth and development. Our approach to nutrition is balanced, understanding the need for the occasional treat as well as an abundance of fresh produce supporting a balanced diet. This includes fresh drinking water which is available at all times.
At snack time we offer a variety of choices such as fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, bread sticks, crackers and cheese, yoghurt, rice cakes and more. We will often provide a special theme related snack and aim to vary the textures as much as possible. There are lots of opportunities for the children to prepare their own snacks, developing their independence.
Mealtimes at Duchess Nursery are a happy, social occasion when staff and children sit together to eat - assisting younger children when they need help. Older children are encouraged to be independent, serving their own food and using their cutlery to feed themselves. Staff ensure good table manners and behaviour consistently across the age ranges, role modelling and encouraging the children to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’.
We gently encourage all children to try new and different foods. We work with our parents if a child struggles with eating.
Staff are aware and respect all allergies, medical and cultural differences in eating habits, ensuring similar alternatives are available for those who need them. We have a strict no-nut policy and adhere to the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 and snacks are prepared by qualified staff that hold Food Hygiene Certificates. See our sample menus below.
| Winter Menu Week 1 | |||||||
| Day | Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Pudding (Lunch) | Tea | Pudding (Tea) | Notes |
| Monday | Cereal | Rice cakes | Deconstructed shepherd’s pie. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Melon | Pitta, hummus, veg sticks. | Peaches | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie - Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Tuesday | Toast | Bananas | Chicken and vegetable pie with a pastry top, with baby potatoes. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Jelly | Pasta salad. | Mixed berries | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max – Dairy free |
| Wednesday | Porridge | Breadsticks | Sausage casserole and dumplings. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Greek yogurt | Pizza muffins – Ham, peppers, onion, sweetcorn. | Blueberry muffin | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie - Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max– Dairy free |
| Thursday | Cereal | Oranges | Jacket potatoes, cheese and beans. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Mango slices | Cheese + Cucumber OR Ham sandwiches + Veg sticks | Kiwi | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max – Dairy free |
| Friday | Porridge | Buttered crackers | Vegetable pasta bake. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Fromage frais | Scrambled egg on toast. | Digestive biscuit | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie - Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Winter Menu Week 2 | |||||||
| Day | Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Pudding (Lunch) | Tea | Pudding (Tea) | Notes |
| Monday | Cereal | Rice cakes | Lasagne. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Melon | Breadsticks and dips + Veg sticks | Peaches | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie – Pescatarian, Eden – No Kiwi, pineapple or raisins, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Tuesday | Toast | Bananas | Roast Chicken, Potatoes, Veg, Gravy, Yorkshires. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Short bread | Quiche + Salad | Mixed berries | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max – Dairy free |
| Wednesday | Porridge | Breadsticks | Fishfingers, mash and veg. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Greek yogurt | Tuna wraps + Veg sticks | Banana muffin | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie - Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max– Dairy free |
| Thursday | Cereal | Oranges | Vegetable pie, chips. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Sauteed apple cinnamon slices | Muffin pizzas with a variety of toppings | Pineapple | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms, Max – Dairy free |
| Friday | Porridge | Buttered crackers | Tuna pasta bake + Garlic bread. May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Fromage frais | Cheese and red onion toasty + beetroot and celery sticks | Digestive biscuit | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. Annie – Pescatarian, Eden – No Kiwi, pineapple or raisins, Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Winter Menu Week 3 | |||||||
| Day | Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Pudding | Tea | Tea Pudding | Dietary Notes |
| Monday | Cereal | Rice cakes | Hearty vegetable soup with bread roll | Oranges | Cheesey crumpets + veg sticks | Banana | Teddy: No egg. Pescatarian; Annie: Pescatarian; Eden: No Kiwi, pineapple or raisins; Gracie: Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Tuesday | Toast | Bananas | Roast beef, Potatoes, Veg, Gravy, Yorkshires | Short bread | Ham rolls + Carrot sticks and hummus | Fromage frais | Gracie: Lactose free. No mushrooms; Max: Dairy free |
| Wednesday | Porridge | Breadsticks | Fishfingers, mash and veg | Pear | Tuna wraps + Veg sticks | Banana bread | Teddy: No egg. Pescatarian; Annie: Pescatarian; Gracie: Lactose free. No mushrooms; Max: Dairy free |
| Thursday | Cereal | Oranges | Vegetable pie, chips | Greek yogurt | Toasted fruit loaf with beetroot and cucumber | Mixed berries | Teddy: No egg. Pescatarian; Gracie: Lactose free. No mushrooms; Max: Dairy free |
| Friday | Porridge | Buttered crackers | Tuna pasta bake + Garlic bread | Peaches | Pitta, a selection of dips, bread sticks and veg sticks | Mandarins | Teddy: No egg. Pescatarian; Annie: Pescatarian; Eden: No Kiwi, pineapple, raisins; Gracie: Lactose free. No mushrooms |
| Winter Menu Week 4 | |||||||||
| Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Pudding | Tea | Pudding | Babies | 2-3s | Pre | |
| Monday | Cereal | Rice cakes | Sweetcorn chowder and fresh bread. | Banana bread | Crackers, cheese, cucumber, raisins. | Fromage frais | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms | |
| May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | Annie – Pescatarian | ||||||||
| Eden – No Kiwi, pineapple or raisins. | |||||||||
| Tuesday | Toast | Bananas | Chicken casserole, dumplings and a slice of bread. | Mango slices. | Pizza pin wheels. | Digestive biscuits. | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms. | ||
| May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | |||||||||
| Max – Dairy free | |||||||||
| Wednesday | Porridge | Breadsticks | Prawn pasta salad. | Greek yogurt | Tuna wraps + Veg sticks | Jelly. | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms. | |
| May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | |||||||||
| Annie - Pescatarian | Max– Dairy free | ||||||||
| Thursday | Cereal | Oranges | Jacket potato with chilli con carne. | Apple oat squares | Chicken and chorizo stuffed pittas. | Pears | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms. | |
| May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | |||||||||
| Max – Dairy free. | |||||||||
| Friday | Porridge | Buttered crackers. | Chicken curry, rice and naan. | Fromage frais | Butternut squash soup and crusty roll. | Apple crumble. | Teddy No egg. Pescatarian. | Gracie – Lactose free. No mushrooms | |
| May contain – Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, barley, beans, soy. | |||||||||
| Annie – Pescatarian | |||||||||
| Eden – No Kiwi, pineapple or raisins. | |||||||||