Snack time is one of the highlights of the day. Children love the chance to sit down together, share stories from school, and tuck into something tasty. For us, it’s not just about filling tummies – it’s about making food fun, encouraging healthy habits, and giving children a sense of independence as they help themselves.

Our menus are planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance. That means every day children are offered fruit and vegetables alongside wholemeal or wholegrain options, with proteins and dairy spread across the week. Water is always on hand, and semi-skimmed milk is also available.

Breakfast is there to set children up for the day ahead and give them the right start for school. Some mornings it might be a warm bowl of porridge or banana pancakes, other days cereal, toast, or crumpets with fresh seasonal fruit.

In the afternoons, snacks change each day on a four-week rotation, giving plenty of variety. Across the weeks children might enjoy soft wraps with tuna or cheese, warm pittas filled with chicken, egg mayo or cheese, sandwiches on part-wholemeal bread, or toasted crumpets with cream cheese or banana — all served with crunchy vegetable sticks. Other days it could be crispbreads with cucumber and tomato, or crackers with cheese and grapes. The food we offer after school is just enough to give children a boost of energy for play and activities, and to keep them going happily until dinner at home.

With effective measures in place to prevent cross-contamination and good hand hygiene, children are encouraged to serve their own snacks with our guidance and encouragement. Taking responsibility in everyday routines helps them grow in confidence, practise decision-making, develop fine motor skills and feel proud of themselves. The children love it and their smiles say it all.

Snack time is always supervised by a member of staff trained in paediatric first aid and allergens, so families can be reassured that safety is at the heart of everything we do. We know that every child is different, so allergies and dietary needs are carefully managed. Our daily registers flag any requirements, packaging is checked, and alternatives are always available so no child ever feels left out. We are a nut-free setting and take every precaution to keep children safe.

More than just food, snack time is about being together. Sitting with friends, chatting about their day, and trying new tastes helps children feel part of a community. Sometimes we link our snacks to celebrations such as Diwali, Eid or Chinese New Year, giving children a chance to experience food from different cultures while keeping healthy choices at the centre.

You can download our current Snack Menu with allergens here