TWO meals a day for nursery??

[Bambinoway]

Hi there,

we are moving to a new town and therefore a new nursery for our three year old. Having had all meals prepared by our current nursery, I’m now going to need to provide packed lunch AND dinner for her each day as she will be in 8-6, four days a week. I’m not very happy about it because I think she should be having one hot meal a day but anyway… can anyone please inspire me with some ideas about what to feed her as I’m not used to doing this?

thanks so much

Why doesn’t the nursery provide food? That’s very odd. (Sorry that’s totally not the answer to the question you asked)

She can have a hot meal, get a Thermos/ insulated lunchbox

Yes send in a hot meal for one of them. Then for the other a wrap, pitta or sandwich, veg sticks and hummus, cheese cubes, yoghurt and some fruit for the second. I’m assuming they have a fridge to put all the lunchboxes in as they shouldn’t be left out that many hours until tea time.

I know it’s frustrating. They are newly opened and don’t have many attendees yet so I guess are figuring it out. We are planning for her to go to a different nursery in September but can’t get her in until then so this is a temporary plan for the summer.

Amazing thank you!

Lovely thank you

Why does she need a hot meal?

@CurlewKate I just think in terms of the variety of her diet etc, rather than having cold packed lunches twice a day. But since this is what she will have I am looking for inspiration to make it as varied as possible - let me know if you have any suggestions!

A wide neck thermos is great for pasta, things w rice, shepherds pie, whatever she will eat really. Hopefully they can provide a plate and fork, but if not you can pack one.

Pasta salad, with egg or tuna.
Quinoa/Rice salad.
Cold mac cheese is good.

I don't think they'll be getting too many more kids with this policy! What a pain in the arse!

I'd go hot for lunch. Make a large tuna pasta bake/macaroni cheese/risotto/Bolognese etc and then reheat a portion in the morning and put in a thermos. I'd probably do one on Sunday night for Monday/Tuesday and then another on Tuesday night for Wednesday/Thursday.

For dinner a selection of picky bits that cover all your main food groups:

Protein: chicken or any meat (again can cook in advance and put in the fridge), ham, sausages, tuna, salmon, omelette, boiled egg, houmous

Dairy: pieces of cheese, yoghurt

Veg: carrot sticks, cucumber, pepper, tomatoes, corn on the cob, sweetcorn, celery

Fruit: melon, mango, kiwi, grapes, banana, satsumas, peaches, blueberries, blackberries all travel well. I find raspberries and strawberries are a bit soft and apple goes brown.

Carb: Bread, bagel, pitta, wrap, breadsticks, oatcakes, crackers, pasta salad, slice of pizza.

@NuffSaidSam this is very helpful thank you!

I send in two meals a day for my son. One is a packed lunch of sandwich and fruit and veg. Sometimes some extra protein.

And then once a month I do a big batch cook of something for him. Go tos are things like cottage pie, spag Bol, veggie chilli, dal, tomato pasta. Then freeze a load of portions and take one out just before bed the night before. They then heat them up.

Does nursery have a microwave?

People have suggested a wide-mouth Thermos.
Would the nursery have the means to serve it ?

They’re made to be eaten out of, so shouldn’t need to be served in something else.