Food & Nutrition
We follow the guidelines set out by the Food Standards Agency in Safer Food, Better Business. All staff on site have a food and hygiene certificate, and all our meals are prepared fresh on the day with quality ingredients. We are also working towards the Healthy Early Years London award. All our menus are checked by a nutritionist to ensure we are providing the children at our setting a healthy and balanced diet. We try to introduce children to a variety of food, including dishes from different cultures.
Our children often help to prepare their tea-time meal and some puddings. We use cooking and baking as a valuable tool for learning in our activities. Every meal is an opportunity to explore the health benefits of food, to discuss the nutrients, vitamins and minerals present in our meals, and what they do for our bodies.
As well as the importance of not eating lots of sugar or unhealthy foods which we continue to promote throughout the nursery, not just at mealtimes. It is also an opportunity to promote independence and help children make better food choices in their future. Meal times are a celebrated occasion for us all to come together, practise our etiquette, have interesting discussions, and spend quality time in each other’s company.
Children are also given the opportunity and encouragement to participate in their own portion of food and pour their own water throughout the day. Adequate cutlery, children’s knives, forks and cups are always used where age-appropriate to help young hands coordinate and develop those all-important fine motor skills.
We also involve children in the full mealtime setup process. Before eating, they help prepare the tables with plates, cutlery, napkins, tablecloths, and even centrepieces such as flowers. These table setups are often themed around special occasions for example, Chinese New Year or Christmas and reflect the celebration or season. We believe in taking our time and enjoying the whole process of eating, not just the food itself.
During meal times, we take a very Montessori-inspired approach. Children are encouraged to serve themselves, pour their own water, scrape their own plates, and wash them at our designated platewashing station. This promotes independence, responsibility, and confidence in a supportive, structured environment.
At Aplomb, we cater to all your children’s dietary needs by serving alternative options when necessary for vegetarians, vegans, Halal-only diets, or any children with intolerances or allergies. We offer Halal options at both our Hendon and Greenford branches.
Trusted by families, recognised by the Food Standards Agency – we maintain a 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating across our nursery meals.
