Packed Lunches
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To maintain healthy development and growth, children need to eat a nutritionally well-balanced diet. As an Early Years setting we can contribute to developing the health and well-being of our children. Good nutrition in early childhood can help to prevent a variety of health problems, both in the short term and later in life.

Our aim is to share information with parents around the content of a healthy lunchbox and the balance of food groups that could be provided.

 

Procedures

A child’s packed lunch should be based on the ‘Eatwell Plate’ model which shows items from the 4 main food groups. (See attached posters for more information).

 

Fruit and Vegetables- lunch boxes should include at least 1 portion of fruit and 1 portion of vegetables/salad or more. These foods provide vitamins and minerals and fibre.

 

Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates- lunch boxes should include 1 portion from this section. These starchy foods are a healthy source of energy, fibre B vitamins and iron.

 

Dairy and alternativities-  lunch boxes should include 1 portion from this section. These foods provide calcium for healthy bones and teeth and vitamin A.

 

Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins- lunch boxes should include 1 portion from this section. These foods provide protein for growth, along with vitamins A and D.

 

Drinks

All children have access to water throughout the day. Children at pre-school drink either milk or tap water. We provide whole milk, semi skimmed and other alternatives for children with allergies or intolerances from 1 year of age. Please send water for your child to drink at lunchtime.

 

 

Portion Sizes

For toddlers, a portion size is usually roughly the size of their clenched fist. About half a piece of fruit (cut appropriately) or a tablespoon of vegetables is a good portion.  Portions should be appropriate for a child’s body size and appetite.

 

When preparing foods for a child’s lunch box, it is important to avoid round shapes, as these are a choking hazard. Cut small fruits lengthways and then halve again (quarters). These fruits include

• Grapes

• Raspberries

• Strawberries

• Cherry tomatoes

 

Foods to avoid putting into the lunch box

Please avoid foods high in saturated fat, salt, and/or sugars like cakes, sweet and savoury pastries, biscuits, chocolate and other confectionary. These foods should be eaten less often and in small amounts.

Please don’t send sweets or popcorn in children’s lunch box.

 

Avoid artificial sweeteners as they may encourage children to prefer very sweet foods. 

 

It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to supply an appropriate packed lunch container where food items can be stored.

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This Policy was adopted by Birley Community Preschool

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On                                                       15/09/2025 (Date)

​To be reviewed                                       15/09/2026 (Date)

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Name of Signatory                         Jayne Humphreys- Manager

                                                Donna Goude- Deputy Manager

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