At Crawford Childcare we can supply a healthy breakfast and hot lunch for your child. These meals are nutritionally balanced and served by trained staff to each child’s requirements. Weekly menus are displayed on each room’s notice board. We are often asked by parents what they should put in their child’s lunch boxes for other snack times at the crèche. We like to encourage healthy snacks in line with our healthy eating policy. Snack time is an important time socially and provides your child with the energy and nutrients they need for healthy development.

Why not try something different – children love variety. Try adding different coloured food to the lunch box to add interest. Children enjoy fun sized and smaller versions of the healthy foods we enjoy as adults. Snacks do not need to be expensive and there is no need to spend money on ready made snacks which are often packed with sugar and preservatives anyway.

Here are our top 10 healthy treat ideas for your child’s lunch box:

• Small sandwiches, wraps or rolls made with wholemeal bread and filled with lean meat like chicken


• Natural yogurts


• Fresh fruit – apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple chunks and melon are all yummy examples


• Vegetable sticks – carrots, celery and cucumber give a satisfying crunch and can help relieve sore gums if your child is teething


• Rice cakes


• Crackers


• Home made smoothies


• Hummus dips for vegetable sticks


• Dried fruit like raisins and apricot are a delicious sweet treat


• Diced cheese

We also encourage children to drink water and milk as their favoured drink. Fruit juices contain a lot of sugar and should be kept to a minimum and diluted when given.

Here at Crawford Childcare we take a proactive approach to healthy eating through our curriculum. Activities include involving children in the preparation of food, stories and games which aim to develop positive attitudes towards nutrition; and dramatic play experiences such as supermarket and restaurant role play. Ideas for home could include making shopping lists together, giving the opportunity for choice and involving your child in the shopping and preparation of food. If you have any further suggestions please let us know!