What does your healthy eating policy say?

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

I haven't got one, or if I did, my old laptop ate it

The Bromley one is a bit, not sure, not really 'me' if you see what I mean.

So what do your healthy eating policies say?

I provide snacks (fruit/cheese/breadsticks/vegetables) and drinks (milk and water only), the parents supply packed lunch or baby food/formula/bm

Thank you x x x

Mine's called a healthy lifestyle policy which reads:

Healthy Lifestyle Policy

Aim:

I aim to ensure that all children in my care embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Methods:

I will provide all children in my care with a varied and healthy diet, I will provide a weekly menu for parents so that they are fully aware of what their children are being offered and also so that they may request changes should they wish to. I will also ensure that all children are given the opportunity to exercise on a daily basis , either at toddler groups, the park, the garden, walking in the woods etc. A weekly activity planner will also be provided so that parents are fully aware of what we will be doing each week. If parents have any additional suggestions I would be glad to hear them and include where possible. I ask that all children are provided with suitable clothing for our planned activities, for example a coat, boots etc.

I can't remember what mine says but I know it includes a section on "treats" like birthday cakes, party food etc.

oooh I like the idea of a healthy living policy Lisa

yes, treats and party food need to be in there somewhere too

Right, I am going to flex my typing fingers and have a go

back later x x x

I put treats etc on the bottom of my weekly menu's:

Children will have access to fresh water all day and will be offered water/very diluted squash throughout the day. There will also be a selection of fruit or Yogurts after each Lunch/Dinner. Milk is offered with breakfast.
Children will also occasionally be offered a biscuit/crisps/sweet snack unless a parent expresses that they do not want their child to be offered such things, this will not be offered every day but will be offered from time to time so that children learn to include treats as part of a normal, healthy diet. Fizzy drinks will not be offered at all.

I do it this way as I have found some parents "forget" what is written in the policy, whereas the menu's go home every week and the above is on the bottom of each one.

Meant to say, I'm happy to email you mine if you want to then adapt it?

Also, the bit about the squash is just to save me any grief if one of the little monster's got their hands on it at toddler group! I don't give any of my mindees anything other than water/milk at home.

Healthy Living Policy

A good balanced diet is vital for children to develop healthily along with fresh air and regular exercise, and I aim to ensure that all children in my care embrace a healthy lifestyle.

I ask parents to provide packed lunches with healthy options. I offer healthy snacks, like fruit, vegetables, and cheese and offer milk or water for the children to drink. Please can parents support this by not sending children with juice or squash with their packed lunch.

I encourage children to choose healthy options and to experiment by trying new foods from other cultures. Older children are encouraged to help in the preparation of snacks. I can cater for children with different food allergies and cultural or religious requirements.

I will record what your child has eaten and approximate amounts in the daily diary. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to discuss it with me.

I am happy to support you if you are weaning your baby.

I do not permit children to have fizzy drinks, unless it is a special occasion and parents have given permission.

I do not encourage children to eat sweets on a regular basis, and would ask parents not to send the child with sweets. We occasionally make cakes or biscuits as a special treat, and birthday cakes are another welcome treat. We sometimes eat party food, again this is a special treat. This means that the children learn to include treats as part of a normal, healthy diet.

I also ensure that all children are given the opportunity to exercise on a daily basis, either at toddler groups, the park, the garden, walking in the woods for example. I ask that all children are provided with suitable clothing as inclement weather will not prevent us from enjoying the outdoors. I have a limited number of waterproofs and would ask that a raincoat is supplied. In sunny weather please remember to send your child with a hat and suitable suncream.

HOWZAT?? A bit long winded but acceptable? Covered all bases??

Looks fab to me :-)

yay !!

Thank you all x x x

Mine is simlar to Boysarelikedogs,
Only I forgot the fizzy drink thing

Bugbear of mine, children eating on arrival! Dropping crumbs from half finished croissants, brioches etc as they walk through the door. No wonder so many parents cars look like a dustbin inside! So I have -

Please do not drop your child off with food in their hands, this sometimes causes upset, as eating and drinking are only permitted at the table, they will be asked to sit down to finish it, or it will be removed for snack later, if appropriate.

worse I have had parents come in eating crisps and making a bloody mess on my carpet...

love the healthy eating policy BOYSARELIKEDOGS.. am busily copying it all down and shamelessly using it as my own work... hope thats ok..,!!!!!!

I have to confess I do not have one - I have never had one and when I actually raised the question of my relatively small number of policies at my recent inspection, her comment was "less is best".