Our Meals

Our much-loved caterer, Annette, comes in every day to prepare freshly made meals for the children.

We understand the importance of healthy bodies and minds and how vital it is to eat the right food for growth and development. Our approach to nutrition is balanced, understanding the need for the occasional treat as well as an abundance of fresh produce supporting a balanced diet. This includes fresh drinking water which is available at all times.

At snack time we offer a variety of choices such as fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, bread sticks, crackers and cheese, yoghurt, rice cake and more. We will often provide a special theme related snack and aim to vary the textures as much as possible. There are lots of opportunities for the children to prepare their own snacks, developing their independence.



Mealtimes at Duchess Nursery are a happy, social occasion when staff and children sit together to eat - assisting younger children when they need help. Older children are encouraged to be independent, serving their own food and using their cutlery to feed themselves. Staff ensure good table manners and behaviour consistently across the age ranges, role modelling and encouraging the children to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’.

We gently encourage all children to try new and different foods. We work with our parents if a child struggles with eating.

Staff are aware and respect all allergies, medical and cultural differences in eating habits, ensuring similar alternatives are available for those who need it. We have a strict no-nut policy and adhere to the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 and snacks are prepared by qualified staff that hold Food Hygiene Certificates. See our sample menus below.

Week 1Breakfast 8-8.45am Morning Snack 10am Lunch 11.30am Tea 3pm
MondayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Mixed bean chilli with
rice→ Fruit: sliced pear
Pin wheels with
vegetable slices &
cheese → Pudding:
banana slices
TuesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Spaghetti bolognese
with hidden vegetables
→ Fruit: melon cubes
Cheese & tomato
quesadillas → Pudding:
yoghurt with berries
WednesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Fish pie topped with
mashed potato & served
with broccoli → Fruit:
Pineapple chunks
Egg mayonnaise or ham
sandwiches & cherry
tomatoes → Pudding:
apple slices
ThursdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Lentil & vegetable
shepherd’s pie → Fruit:
Apple slices
Rice cakes with soft
cheese & cucumber →
Pudding: peach slices
FridayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Chicken curry with rice → Fruit: Pudding: fruit
yoghurt
Pitta pockets with
hummus and vegetable
sticks → orange wedges
Week 2Breakfast 8-8.45am Morning Snack 10am Lunch 11.30am Tea 3pm
MondayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Jacket Potato with beans
and cheese. Pudding:
Fruit Salad
Tuna & sweetcorn
wraps → Pudding:
melon slices
TuesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Roast chicken, roast
potatoes, carrots &
green beans → Pudding:
Fruit Salad
Roast chicken, roast
potatoes, carrots &
green beans → Pudding:
Fruit Salad
WednesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Vegetable lasagna with
garlic bread → Fruit:
yoghurt with fruit puree
Croissants with ham or
cheese and tomato
slices→ Pudding: apple
wedges
ThursdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Sausage and mash with
mixed vegetables →
Fruit: mandarin
segments
Crumpets with butter &
sliced cucumber →
Pudding: fruit salad
FridayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Fish fingers, potato
slices & peas → Fruit:
halved grapes
Ham or Cheese Toasties
with vegetable sticks→
Pudding: natural
yoghurt
Week 3Breakfast 8-8.45am Morning Snack 10am Lunch 11.30am Tea 3pm
MondayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Macaroni cheese with
hidden cauliflower →
Fruit: strawberries
Chicken salad wraps →
Pudding: sliced apples
TuesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Beef & vegetable stew
with dumplings →
Puddings: Peaches
Mini sandwiches
(cheese/tuna/egg)
vegetable sticks &
hummus → Pudding:
orange segments
WednesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Baked Cod with giant
couscous/Orzo & green
beans → Fruit: melon
cubes
Cold Pasta with tomato
& basil sauce →
Pudding: yoghurt &
berries
ThursdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Mexican beef/bean
taco’s with potato slices
Fruit: Pear slices
Toasted English muffins
with cheese & tomato →
Pudding: banana
FridayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Vegetable & chickpea
curry with rice → Fruit:
mango chunks
Pitta with hummus,
sweetcorn & cucumber
→ Pudding: fruit salad
Week 4Breakfast 8-8.45am Morning Snack 10am Lunch 11.30am Tea 3pm
MondayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Vegetable chilli with brown rice → Fruit:
yoghurt with fruit puree
Tuna melts toasties with
vegetable sticks→
Pudding: Mixed fruit
TuesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Creamy chicken & vegetable pasta bake →
Fruit: apple wedges
Cheese & tomato Bagels
with pepper sticks →
Pudding: fruit salad
WednesdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Beef casserole, new
potatoes, carrots & peas
→ Fruit: pear slices
Wholemeal toast with
beans → Pudding:
banana slices
ThursdayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Homemade pizza with
vegetable toppings →
Starter: carrot &
cucumber sticks
Crackers with soft
cheese & cucumber →
Pudding: melon cubes
FridayVariety of cereals with
milk
Fruit or cracker with
cup of milk
Orzo vegetable bake
with garlic bread →
Fruit: orange wedges
Pinwheels with vegetables sticks→
Pudding: melon cubes