Pic of SueSue's Childminding

Hardwick, Cambridge

Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

When you feel your child is ready to eat solid food, I ask that this first begins at home. Once your child has begun to try a variety of “table foods” you may choose to continue to provide prepared packed meals for your child  - please ensure these meals are ready-to-eat in the summer as we often have picnics and eat outdoors.  In winter, I am willing to warm up food eg, tin of soup/beans or home cooked/chilled/frozen meal. 

Alternatively you may find it more convenient for me to provide meals and I am happy to do so upon request.  

I need to know about your child’s dietary requirements whether you have asked me to prepare meals or not. Please tell me if your child is not to be given any particular foods, whether this be for health, religious, cultural or any other reason.

These are the following guidelines for a child’s daily consumption: 

Breads, potatoes, rice & pasta—1 serving per meal

Fruit & Vegetables - 5 servings per day (childcare providers are advised to provide 3 of these)

Milks & Milk products—1/2 pint full fat milk PLUS one other product eg, milk pudding, cheese or yoghurt

Meats, Fish & Alternatives - 1 serving per day (4 out of every 5 main meals should contain this food group)

 hen planning meals, I consider the likes and needs of each child and I aim to introduce new foods as well as including familiar favourites.  My aim is to ensure that each plate contains something the child is known to like. I do not serve dessert until a fair effort has been made on the first course.  I never force a child to eat everything they have been served but I do encourage children to try a bite or two of everything.  If a child refuses to eat their meal they will have to wait until the next designated snack/meal time and I will notify the parent when the child is collected. I’ve found that it is more likely, however, that children will discover they do like foods they were unsure about, particularly when they see their friends eating the same thing. 

Please give at least one weeks’ notice if you wish to cancel/book meals as I need to plan my shopping & cooking ahead. If you request a meal and then do not require it the charge will still apply. If you are on holiday, for example and have given more than 7 days notice that meals are not required you will not be charged for meals during your child’s absence. If your child is absent and you have given less than 48 hours notice the charges for the meals booked cannot be waived. I cannot waive or reduce the meal charge if your child declines or does not eat the whole meal.

Snacks and drinks

Unlimited water, “hi-juice” squash and cows milk are available throughout the day. Juice may contain sugar as I try to choose products that do not contain Aspartame, however it will be heavily diluted. Baby milks or alternative drinks are to be provided by the parent/guardian if applicable.

Snacks are provided after school (about 3:30 pm). Snacks usually consist of fresh, tinned or dried fruit, cheese or bread products. 

Sweets & Treats

Very occasionally, I may provide cakes, biscuits sweets, chocolate or ice-creams—this is not a regular occurrence and may occur on an outing or on a birthday or as part of a cooking activity.  You can indicate on the permission form if you do not wish your child to be given some/all of these items. 

Please do not give treats to other children in my care or allow your child to bring/arrive eating these treats.  It is very difficult for young children to watch others enjoying a treat that they cannot share and can also cause disruption to our meal schedule.  It is much easier for treats to be provided by me, as I can ensure all parents wishes and dietary requirements are followed. 

If you really wish to provide a treat, for example on your child’s birthday (and there is certainly no obligation to do so) then please provide it in a box/bag that I can take to the kitchen. I will then be able to make any substitutions as necessary and give to the children at an appropriate time in the day. I will, of course, tell the children the source of their treat.