‘The term ‘meal’ is often understood to mean a cooked meal with vegetables, but breakfast cereal with milk and orange juice, or just a cheese and tomato sandwich with a glass of milk, is just as much a meal as shepherd’s pie and peas. A meal is, therefore, any significant contribution to daily nutritional intake. It is important to offer a variety of tastes, textures and temperatures.’ (Setting The Table, 2014)
“Food is a good way to express care and nurturing” (Setting the Table 2014 pg. 8)
Health and Social Care Standards
1.25 I can chose to have an active life and participate in a range of recreational, social, creative, physical and learning activities every day, both indoors and outdoors.
1.33 I can choose suitably presented and healthy meals and snacks, including fresh fruit and vegetables, and participate in menu planning.
1.35 I can enjoy unhurried snack and meal times in as relaxed an atmosphere as possible.
1.36 If I wish, I can share snacks and meals alongside other people using and working in the service if appropriate.
1.37 My meals and snacks meet my cultural and dietary needs, beliefs and preferences.
1.38 If appropriate, I can choose to make my own meals, snacks and drinks, with support if I need it, and can choose to grow, cook and eat my own food where possible.
2.24 I make informed choices and decisions about the risks I take in my daily life and am encouraged to take positive risks which enhance the quality of my life.
Each child has a place at the table with a plate, cutlery, bowl and a glass with the food in the centre of the table to encourage the children to self serve and to pass the serving dishes round to create a ‘home from home’ feeling. The children have various options for lunch including soup, crudités a main course and salad. The adults eat alongside the children to model good eating and healthy relationship with food. Gentle music is playing, soft lighting and flowers in the middle of the table add the finishing touches to our calm, relaxed dining experience.
When the children are finished eating they are encouraged to add any food waste into our food waste bin to promote a responsible attitude to food waste. Children then wash their dishes in a soapy basin and ensure that they have cleaned the table. When the eating area is cleaned the children use a warm face cloth to wash their face and feel freshened ready to play.
