Food Safety & Healthy Eating Policy

This policy outlines Playhouse Nursery's dedication to children's nutritional wellbeing, food safety, and hygienic handling of meals and snacks provided from home. We promote balanced dietary habits, positive food attitudes, and social mealtime interactions.

• Provide balanced, wholesome meals and healthy snacks suitable for the child's developmental age (fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins).

• Label every food and drink container clearly with the child's full name and date.

• Use insulated lunch boxes with ice packs to maintain safe temperatures during transit.

• Choking Risk Prevention: Parents must cut food safely (halve or quarter whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, and large berries lengthwise; grate or steam raw carrots; avoid popcorn and whole nuts).

• Notify the nursery in writing of any food allergies, intolerances, or religious dietary requirements.

• Dedicated Refrigeration: Perishable items are immediately placed in designated nursery fridges kept at 5°C or below, monitored daily with temperature logs.

• Hygiene Protocols: Staff wash and sanitize hands thoroughly before assisting with food, wear disposable gloves when handling meals, and clean eating tables with food-safe sanitizers before and after meals.

• Pure Drinking Water: Filtered drinking water is accessible and actively offered to children throughout the day.

Playhouse Nursery operates a strict Nut-Free policy due to severe anaphylactic risks. Foods containing peanuts or tree nuts are strictly prohibited on the premises. Up-to-date allergy lists and action plans with photos are displayed in kitchenettes and classrooms for immediate staff reference.

Mealtimes are relaxed, cheerful social occasions. Children sit together, learn table etiquette, and are encouraged to develop self-help independence such as opening containers and feeding themselves. Children are gently encouraged to try new wholesome foods but are never forced to eat.