Lunches
At lunchtime, our infant children can bring a packed lunch or order a free hot two course dinner provided by caterers, Aspens Services. These meals are nutritionally balanced and freshly prepared. The menu is refreshed on a regular basis to ensure children have access to a range of healthy foods from which to choose. Please see Aspens' current menu below.
For our nursery children, a hot school lunch is included in the cost of the nursery session/consumables fee. We encourage all our nursery children to choose a hot meal to support socialisation and dining etiquette. In line with the Government’s latest Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance, nursery-aged children have yoghurt and fruit available to them for dessert.
Please let the school or nursery know if your child has any specific dietary requirements, including vegetarianism, allergies and intolerances as most special dietary requirements are catered for where medical evidence has been provided. Should your child require a special menu, please speak to the School Office who will be happy to help.
Packed lunches brought from home should be in a suitable container clearly marked with your child’s name and class. As a Healthy School, we encourage that a nutritious lunch is provided for children. This can include a carton of drink but please do not send fizzy drinks or sweets. Please note that our dining hall, nursery and kitchen are nut-free areas, so please ensure no products contain nuts.
We have several sittings at lunchtime. This means that the hall does not become too crowded, noisy or unmanageable. Our nursery children eat their lunch either in the hall or in our nursery building.
Snacks
During the morning, all children have a snack time. We are part of the Government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme which means that each child can have a free fruit or vegetable snack. This is an excellent way to encourage them to eat more fruit and vegetables. If they want, children can also bring in a healthy fruit or vegetable snack from home. Please send these in a suitable, named plastic container.
From time to time, as part of the curriculum, children have the opportunity to taste and try foods. Please advise us if there is any reason why your child should not participate in this.
Milk
Our children under five years old are able to access free milk during the school day.
Water
Dehydration affects children’s concentration and their ability to learn. Please provide a named water bottle with a non-spill sports cap for the classroom. Children may drink only water in the classroom. The only exception to this is when a child has a specific medical need which has been discussed with the class teacher and the appropriate medical form has been completed.