Healthy Eating
At Little Rascals Daycare, we are committed to providing children with healthy, balanced, and nutritious food and drink in line with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance (DfE, 2025).
We recognise that early childhood is a critical period for developing positive attitudes to food and healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. Children will always be in sight and sound of adults whilst they are enjoying their meals, snacks and drinks.
Our aim is to ensure that all meals, snacks, and drinks served or consumed within our setting promote children’s health, safety, and wellbeing, support their development, and respect their individual dietary needs and cultural backgrounds.
Little Rascals are proud to hold the Smile for Life certification. We promote good oral health, educating the children on the importance of healthy eating and life styles and the need to brush our teeth .
Meal options
Morning Snack
Our mid morning snack is, on most occasions, toast.
If we are out on adventures, we may substitute this for a snack we can eat on the move.
All dietary requirements are met.
Lunch
Lunch at Rascals is always hot meal cooked on site.
We devour a range of casseroles, pastas, curries and pies, followed by a yoghurt.
If we are out on adventures, we take picnics.
All dietary requirements are met.
Afternoon Snack
Our mid-afternoon snack is fruit.
We give the children a choice of options and ways in which to eat it.
Seasonal and 'new' fruits are introduced to broaden little tastebuds.
All dietary requirements are met.
High Tea
High tea is offered to children who remain with us for a full day.
This is not a substitute for family dinner time, but a hunger-filler until it is home time.
Options range from fish fingers to beans on toast.
All dietary requirements are met.
Dietary Needs
All of our menus accommodate medical, cultural, and religious dietary needs.
Parents should provide full information about allergies, intolerances, and dietary requirements before admission.
Individual care plans and allergy records are created for relevant children, including emergency procedures and all staff are briefed on all children’s requirements and photos are displayed discreetly in the kitchen/food area.
Allergen information is shared with parents and displayed on menus.