Hello! We are the under threes team at Borrowstoun ELCC.
We would like to share our journey in developing our Marvellous Meals with you.
To take our Marvellous Meals journey forward we initially came together as a team and spent some time discussing what the team, as a whole, could do to develop our snack and lunchtimes. This meant the team could share individual knowledge and values and develop a shared vision of our Marvellous Meals approach. We felt this was the best way to ensure the continuity of nurture, care and development we all want for our children.
What was really important to the team was enabling the children to have autonomy within and around daily snacks and lunches. Choosing what they were going to have for lunch or snack and being supported to prepare and self-serve their choice of foods, all in a relaxed, calm atmosphere with soft lighting and music. This consistent approach we implemented has meant a successful transition during snacks and lunches, where our children have developed their self-help skills. They can independently wash their hands or faces at the beginning and end of their meals, set the table, self-serve their lunch and clear away their utensils, all in an unhurried atmosphere. We have recently set up a new outdoor area for lunches, further expanding the children’s choice, making the transition as comfortable as possible and building on our children’s confidence.
As a team we celebrate our children’s achievements and take pride in facilitating a positive and nurturing homely environment. Our latest focus with snacks and meals is introducing positive associations with foods, empowering all children to choose what and when they would like to eat and sit for lunch. This helps us to ensure an inclusive approach to Marvellous Meals experience, where all our children choices are respected. This is working well with our children with additional support needs who previously would choose not join in with meal and snack times.
ou enjoy our video of Archie, one of our wee two year olds during his lunch journey! Our marvellous Meal Lead, Louisa, and some of the team share what our approach means to us.
