Snack 

The centre follows the NHS Guidance  ‘Setting the Table’ . Our snack is a range of fresh seasonal fruit with milk or water. 

Healthy snacks are considered in all our activities including birthday celebrations, Christmas parties etc.  As such when the children have a birthday we provide a Special Birthday Box and try to discourage Birthday Cakes. 

In partnership with Ayrshire & Arran Department of Dental Health promotion, all children are provided with a toothbrush for cleaning teeth.  

Snack Times:

9:30am-11:00am

3:00pm-5:00pm

Our snack time is free flow and  self-service which allows the children to make independent decisions about when they are hungry and/or thirsty. To let children know that snack is open we use visual cards and announce to the playroom and outdoors that it is open. As children post their name cards when going for snack, we are able to see who hasn’t snack and towards the end we will announce the last call for snack, so children are aware snack will be closing.  They can make their own choices on what they would like to select to eat and drink that day.  We display fruit/veg Makaton amount cards alongside the snack containers so children are aware of what’s on offer and how much to self-serve. This is to encourage children to learn about their appetite, so by taking small amounts of food it isn’t going to waste and then to go back for more when having a clean plate. Children will gather their own plate and cup. When children are finished with snack they will dispose of any food waste in the brown bin and tidy their cup and plate into the basin when finished. During snack time children are supported to manage spillages and we keep paper towels and a dustpan and brush close by.

 

Snack Helper 

In the children’s role of ‘Snack Helper’ they assist a staff member to prepare the snack area for snack time. This responsibility ensures that each table has been cleaned and hygiene routines have been followed to provide the best care for their peers. Linking to UNCRC Article 24  ‘I have the right to clean water and nutritious food’. Children help to prepare a range of healthy fruit and veg for the session, as well as filling up the jugs with water and milk to allow children to make choices when they come for snack. Children will develop their  understanding of the safety aspects of using a knife while preparing food. We will usually have 1 or 2 snack helpers at a time.