Healthy habits, happy minds, bright futures.

Snack and Meal Times
Breakfast 8:00am – 9:00am
Morning Snack – 10:00am
Lunch- 12:00pm
Afternoon Snack – 2:00pm
Dinner- 5.00pm

Independence at Meal Times
At Little Einsteins Nursery, we place a strong emphasis on promoting independence and learning opportunities during meal times. Throughout these times, children are actively encouraged to self-serve and make healthy choices. This approach not only fosters independence but also instils a sense of responsibility and autonomy in the children.

During meal times, we offer various options for children to self-serve. Sometimes, a whole meal is made available for children to serve themselves, while other times, part of a meal can be accessed through self-service. Furthermore, children are encouraged to pour their own drinks, allowing them to develop essential life skills and confidence in their abilities.

The benefits of allowing children to serve their own plates are multifaceted. Beyond acquiring practical life skills, such as pouring and tipping, children also learn valuable social and caring behaviours. Additionally, the act of self-serving aids in refining their fine and gross motor skills, contributing to their overall physical development.

One of the most significant advantages of this approach is that children learn to listen to their bodies and manage their own feelings of hunger and fullness. By being actively involved in the mealtime process, children become more attuned to their internal cues, promoting a healthy relationship with food and eating habits.

At Little Einsteins Nursery, we believe that empowering children to take charge of their meal times not only supports their overall development but also nurtures important life skills that will benefit them beyond their time with us.

Milk and Weaning

In the process of caring for young children, the transition from milk to solid foods is a pivotal developmental stage. At our nursery, we understand the importance of this transition and aim to support both the child and the parents throughout this period.
Parents are requested to provide bottles containing either formula milk or breast milk for their little ones who still require these options. For those children who are ready to consume cow’s milk or any other suitable milk alternatives, the nursery will ensure that this is readily available.

As the child shows signs of readiness to explore solid foods, we introduce a range of pureed fruits and vegetables. These initial purees, such as carrot and swede, cauliflower with cheese sauce, sweet potato, courgette and pea, broccoli and avocado, apple and banana, pear, as well as blueberry and banana, form the foundation of their weaning journey. We recognise the significance of a gradual and diversified approach to expanding the child’s palate and will introduce a variety of textures and flavours as they progress.

Regular communication with parents is essential during this phase to ensure that any dietary changes or preferences are taken into account. We value the input and collaboration of parents in tailoring the weaning process to suit the individual needs and preferences of each child.

By offering a range of nutritious and delicious pureed options, we aim to support children in developing healthy eating habits from a young age whilst working closely with parents to ensure a seamless and positive weaning experience.

Food Safety and Standards

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is paramount here at Little Einstein’s. We understand the importance of providing not only nutritious meals but also meals that are prepared and served with the highest standards of safety in mind.

At Little Einstein’s, great care is taken in the presentation of meals to ensure that the food served is cut into small, manageable pieces. This not only enables your child to enjoy their meal but also reduces the risk of choking or any other potential hazards. As part of our commitment to safety, we have implemented strict regulations concerning the shape of foods served. Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, large apple slices, and any other foods that may pose a risk of difficulty in swallowing are not included in our menu offerings.

In addition to our internal regulations, we adhere to the strict guidance provided by the Food Standards Agency. This ensures that all food prepared, stored, cooked, and served at our facility meets the highest standards of safety and hygiene. Our team is dedicated to upholding these standards and is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding our food safety practices.

We are currently awaiting our first Food Standards inspection and are confident that our rigorous safety protocols and commitment to excellence will be reflected in the outcome. Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety at all times.

Welcome to our recipe corner! Here you’ll find a variety of healthy, fun, and simple recipes that you can prepare together with your children. Cooking is a great way to bond and encourage healthy eating habits early on. Each recipe is designed to be quick, nutritious, and child-friendly, with simple ingredients you can easily find at home.

• Make it fun! Let your kids help with simple tasks like stirring, pouring, or adding ingredients.
• Get creative by encouraging them to decorate their meals with healthy toppings (e.g., using fruit to create shapes on their plates).
• Use colorful ingredients to make the meal visually exciting.
• Incorporate learning by talking about the benefits of the foods you’re preparing together.
• Set aside time to explore new foods—you can challenge your child to try a new fruit or vegetable each week!

Click to download our healthy Recipe Cards

Our exclusion period policy ensures a safe and healthy environment by requiring children to stay at home for a set time when experiencing contagious illnesses, helping to prevent the spread and promote recovery.

We encourage all parents to ensure their child’s immunisations are up to date, as vaccinations are vital in protecting your child and others from preventable diseases, fostering a safe and healthy nursery environment.

Oral Health In Early Years

Promoting oral health in early years is essential to protecting young teeth and establishing good habits. It is also a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines: “All settings must promote the good health, including oral health, of children attending the setting.”

There are three main themes in good dental health:

• Keep sugary and acidic food and drinks to mealtimes
• Brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Visit the dentist regularly

Checklist for Promoting Oral Health

Meals, Snacks, and Drinks

The meals, snacks, and drinks provided at the nursery are low in sugar to ensure that all children are well taken care of in terms of their oral health. It is important to limit sugar intake to protect children’s teeth.

Celebrating Special Events

Celebrating special events and cultural festivals is important for children’s holistic development. As part of these celebrations, the frequency of sugary treats may increase. However, we strive to provide a balanced approach by incorporating healthy ingredients alongside occasional sugary treats. Please download some healthy recipe cards

Activities for Oral Hygiene

Activities are integrated into the curriculum to teach children about the importance of oral hygiene. These activities are designed to link oral health with other key topics such as self-care, healthy eating, and physical development. Activities include books about dental care, dental role-play, demonstrating proper brushing techniques, reviewing images of healthy and unhealthy teeth, and conducting a tooth brushing club starting from the age of 2 years.

Tooth Brushing Club

The Tooth Brushing Club programme, developed and audited by the NHS and the Sheffield Local Authority, focuses on preventing tooth decay by teaching children how to brush their teeth effectively. Children are encouraged to establish a tooth brushing routine both at the early years setting and at home. Using fluoride toothpaste once a day is recommended, especially for children who may not consistently brush their teeth at home.

It is crucial to ensure that your child is registered with a dentist and has their first dental appointment before their first birthday. Early dental care is vital in preventing oral health issues in children.

Tooth decay remains a significant concern among young children. According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities oral health survey of 5-year-old children in 2022 and the Public Health England oral health survey of 3-year-old children in 2020:

• Nearly a quarter of 5-year-olds in England have tooth decay, affecting an average of 3 to 4 teeth per child.
• Children from more deprived backgrounds are at a higher risk of experiencing tooth decay.
• 11% of 3-year-olds in England have visible tooth decay, affecting an average of 3 teeth per child.

In conclusion, promoting oral health in early years is a fundamental aspect of children’s overall well-being. By instilling good oral hygiene habits and working collaboratively with parents and healthcare providers, we can help children maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

Below are our top picks for toothbrushing videos to use in our Toddler Room and Preschool:

Hey Duggee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oStaJTHgHMU

Finny the Shark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X4Udn7lbuY

The Tooth Brushing Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4wDITXrvrc

Health Visiting is part of the Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust’s 0-19 Service through which children and their families are supported at home, in community clinics and at school from birth to 19 years old.

Health visitors help to keep babies and children aged from 0-5 years old healthy, and work closely with Sheffield City Council to make sure that families are able to access the best local and national support.

Like all health visiting teams the service follows the national Healthy Child Programme which is a plan to help give children the best start in life.

This means that all new mums get home visits and regular catch ups with health visitors at local clinics held at GP surgeries, council buildings and health centres across Sheffield.

Your Health visiting team will invite you to a clinic appointment when they need to see you and your child. You can ask for an appointment outside of the schedule if you need to – please contact the team by ringing 0114 3053224.

You can find out more about what health visitors do by looking at the information page on the NHS website.

Health Visitor Clinics

Baby clinics are held across the city in a variety of venues where health visitors and community nursery nurses provide support for:

• your child’s growth
• development and behaviour
• good sleeping habits
• feeding your child – breast milk, formula, solids, healthy eating
• coping with minor illnesses
• managing a crying baby
• immunisations
• toileting
• any other concerns you have about your child, yourself or your family

Health visitors have a wide range of knowledge about all aspects of parenting and supporting families. They also work closely with other health care providers and agencies and can help you access the right support through signposting and referrals to other services.