Healthy Eating & Allergens Policy
A good balanced diet is vital for children to develop healthily - Along with fresh air and regular exercise. As a childminder it is my responsibility to deliver this while your child is in my care.
Allergen Policy
It is my responsibility as a childminder to ensure that I provide parents with allergen information for the food that I provide, and that this information is accurate, consistent and verifiable.
Declaring The Allergens I Use
There are 14 allergens currently listed under food law that I must declare
Allergen
Your child's likely exposure to allergens
Cereals – Gluten
I serve cereal, bread, couscous, pasta, tortilla, cakes and crackers which contain gluten
Eggs
I use eggs in baking, and I sometimes serve egg or quiche.
I also use mayonnaise.
I will not serve anything containing raw egg.
Soya & Soybean
I do not serve soybeans e.g. bean curd, tofu, miso paste.
Sometimes I may use a low-salt soy sauce in Chinese cooking.
I am aware soya can be found in some desserts, sauces and vegetarian food/meat products.
Milk
I offer children milk as a drink.
I use milk and butter in cooking and products I offer children contain milk e.g. cheese, yoghurt, sauces
Nuts
I check labels carefully and do not normally serve nuts or nut based products.
I may use coconut milk in some curries.
Peanuts
I check labels carefully and do not serve peanuts
Sesame
I sometimes offer hummus as a snack.
I do not use sesame oil or tahini
Celery and Celeriac
I offer marmite on toast at breakfast time.
I am aware some sauces, stock cubes, soups etc. may contain celery or celeriac
Mustard
I do not serve mustard to children.
I am aware some products may contain mustard e.g. breads, curries, marinades
Sulphur Dioxide -Sulphates
I check food and drinks for sulphur dioxide and sulphates and avoid all use where possible.
I avoid squash and soft drinks.
Burgers and other prepared food which may contain sulphates when bought from a supermarkets are home made.
Sulphur dioxide may be used as a preservative in dried fruit which I may occasionally serve
Lupin
I do not serve lupin which may be found in some breads, pastries and pizza
Fish
I normally serve fish twice a week.
I do not serve fish sauce or salad dressings containing fish.
I sometimes use Worcestershire sauce in gravies or sauces
Molluscs
I do not serve molluscs e.g. land snails, whelks or mussels
Crustaceans
I do not serve crustaceans e.g. crabs, prawns, lobster
In all cases, children with a known allergy or intolerance are offered a similar alternative.
Please do not hesitate to ask me for more information about the food I offer your child.
- I shall provide all children in my care with healthy snacks. A healthy lunch and home cooked dinner will also be provided at the appropriate times.
- I encourage children to choose healthy options and to experiment by trying new foods from other cultures.
- I display in my home images of healthy food and talk to the children about their five a day targets, and how to keep strong and healthy by eating well.
- Older children are encouraged to help in the preparation of food and meals.
- I am happy to support you if you are weaning your baby and I have had experience with baby-led weaning.
- I do not allow sweets on a regular basis although they may be offered on a special occasion with prior parental permission.
- Any cakes or biscuits offered shall be home-made, often with the children as an activity, and kept as a special treat.
- Fizzy drinks are not allowed. I shall provide water and milk for children to drink, they shall also be offered diluted fruit juice with meals.
- I keep a current food hygiene certificate which shall be kept up to date and all practices followed.
- I shall record what your child has eaten and approximate amounts in the daily diary. If you have any concerns regarding diet/menu/quantity please do not hesitate to discuss it with me.
- I respect the different dietary, cultural and health needs of all the children.
Allergen Policy
It is my responsibility as a childminder to ensure that I provide parents with allergen information for the food that I provide, and that this information is accurate, consistent and verifiable.
- I will ask if your child has any food allergies, record it in their file and follow your instructions about their dietary needs.
- I check the ingredients list of all food I give to the children in my care and make every attempt to ensure allergen information is correct, to avoid triggering an allergic reaction.
- I shall avoid any food contents that a parent has told me their child may be allergic to and shall work closely with parents to ensure my knowledge is up-to-date.
- I monitor children when eating, and my First Aid training has prepared me to take immediate action if I think a child is suffering an allergic reaction.
- Food storage, preparation and service is carefully monitored to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
Declaring The Allergens I Use
There are 14 allergens currently listed under food law that I must declare
Allergen
Your child's likely exposure to allergens
Cereals – Gluten
I serve cereal, bread, couscous, pasta, tortilla, cakes and crackers which contain gluten
Eggs
I use eggs in baking, and I sometimes serve egg or quiche.
I also use mayonnaise.
I will not serve anything containing raw egg.
Soya & Soybean
I do not serve soybeans e.g. bean curd, tofu, miso paste.
Sometimes I may use a low-salt soy sauce in Chinese cooking.
I am aware soya can be found in some desserts, sauces and vegetarian food/meat products.
Milk
I offer children milk as a drink.
I use milk and butter in cooking and products I offer children contain milk e.g. cheese, yoghurt, sauces
Nuts
I check labels carefully and do not normally serve nuts or nut based products.
I may use coconut milk in some curries.
Peanuts
I check labels carefully and do not serve peanuts
Sesame
I sometimes offer hummus as a snack.
I do not use sesame oil or tahini
Celery and Celeriac
I offer marmite on toast at breakfast time.
I am aware some sauces, stock cubes, soups etc. may contain celery or celeriac
Mustard
I do not serve mustard to children.
I am aware some products may contain mustard e.g. breads, curries, marinades
Sulphur Dioxide -Sulphates
I check food and drinks for sulphur dioxide and sulphates and avoid all use where possible.
I avoid squash and soft drinks.
Burgers and other prepared food which may contain sulphates when bought from a supermarkets are home made.
Sulphur dioxide may be used as a preservative in dried fruit which I may occasionally serve
Lupin
I do not serve lupin which may be found in some breads, pastries and pizza
Fish
I normally serve fish twice a week.
I do not serve fish sauce or salad dressings containing fish.
I sometimes use Worcestershire sauce in gravies or sauces
Molluscs
I do not serve molluscs e.g. land snails, whelks or mussels
Crustaceans
I do not serve crustaceans e.g. crabs, prawns, lobster
In all cases, children with a known allergy or intolerance are offered a similar alternative.
Please do not hesitate to ask me for more information about the food I offer your child.