It is very important to establish balanced and healthy eating habits early on in life. A balanced diet is vital for a child’s growth and development. Eating habits formed in childhood have a tendency to be continued into adulthood, so if bad habits are formed they are likely to continue.
The food our children eat affects every aspect of their lives: their mood, behaviour, growth, even their ability to concentrate. Good nutrition is vital to a child's health from building strong bones and teeth to the healthy development of internal organs and overall growth.
All our food is healthy, tasty and cooked on nursery premises in well equipped kitchens using fresh, wholesome ingredients. All of our nurseries have a dedicated professional chef who is well trained in producing the excellent standards of food required, using only fresh ingredients.
We provide breakfast, lunch and tea for the children. Our nurseries can cater for dietary preferences such as vegetarian, halal and kosher, and also for children with food allergies and intolerances. Milk and water is available for the children throughout the day.
We use the long established, Village Butcher in Tottington to supply all our nurseries with fresh, high quality, locally sourced meat and local dairies to supply our milk. We provide breakfast, lunch and tea for the children and our nurseries can cater for dietary preferences such as vegetarian, halal and kosher, and also for children with food allergies and intolerances. Milk and water is available for the children throughout the day.
For our babies solid food is prepared to suit the individual needs of each child. Weaning starts with freshly prepared vegetables and fruit purees and gradually the introduction of meat/ fish. We are aware of the traditional weaning methods as well as baby led weaning and will work with parents to ensure that children develop healthy appetites and interest in food.
We believe that meal-times should be a happy, sociable time where different, healthy foods are tasted and eating skills can be developed.
Golden Apple Award
Bury Council’s Food Safety Team, and Bury Primary Care Trust’s Community Nutritionist designed the ‘Golden Apple Awards’ scheme to encourage healthy eating practices in nursery settings and to help prevent tooth decay, improve nutrition and improve hand hygiene amongst children in their care.
There are three grades within the 'Golden Apple Awards' scheme, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Mulberry Bush Nursery Group is proud to have been awarded the ‘Gold’ standard in all of its nurseries. We understand the importance of good dental health and healthy eating. We feel we can make a difference through the meals and snacks that we provide, as well as through educating children and their families.
The aims of the scheme are;
- to have a healthy snack policy - this promotes nutrition and dental health by reducing intakes of salt, fat and sugar while increasing the consumption of fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates;
- to encourage hand washing and establish good habits at an early age; and to improve the standards of food hygiene in childcare premises.
“Children have a healthy nutritious diet, with freshly prepared food made daily on the premises. Permanent snack tables are set up in the different areas to enable the children to make healthy choices from fruit and access fresh drinking water.”
Wendy Fitton, Ofsted inspector, Tottington Nursery, 04/08/11