Good nutrition is essential during childhood, as it is a time of rapid growth, development and activity. This is also a vital time for healthy tooth development and prevention of decay. General eating habits and patterns are formed in the first few years of life. A nutritious diet, together with good hydration, provides your child with good eating habits for life, healthy skin, a healthy weight, secure emotional well-being, and improved behaviour.
The nursery staff have a key role in introducing young children to a wide variety of foods and establishing a pattern of regular meals and healthy snacks. Eating is about more than food, it is a social event too, and nursery staff join your child’s mealtimes. Staff encourage interaction between the children, good table manners and the development of social skills. Staff are also on hand to support and assist, if needed.
Meal and snack times are an important part of our daily routine across all age groups. Children take an active role in the preparation of snacks, and, with adult support, serve themselves at lunch time. In our older age rooms, children take it in turns to set tables and then work together to clear away at the end of a meal. This enhances the development of social skills by helping to increase children’s confidence, self- esteem, independence and decision making skills, and is the next step for school readiness.
The Old Barn Day Nursery is an Ofsted rated private day care Nursery located in Banstead.