Not all nurseries supply a full day of snacks and food so you may need to pack a lunchbox for your little one. Eating independently is a key skill for children so ensuring that their lunch is enjoyable and nutritional is essential, but nevertheless, it can feel a little overwhelming knowing what are the best foods to pack.
In this blog, we provide top tips on how to organise your child’s nursery packed lunch.
The Do’s and Don’ts of nursery lunches
Most nurseries will provide some guidance on what to pack for your child and may even have rules, so always bear these in mind. Try not to overthink your lunches as they don’t need to be extravagant – familiar foods will suit your child best!
DO
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Pack items that your child enjoys.
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Add a balanced mix of foods such as a sandwich or wrap, fruit, yoghurt and a drink.
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Cut up any fruit or vegetables to avoid choking.
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Let the nursery team know of any dietary requirements.
Don’t
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Pack foods that are hard to open or difficult to cut.
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Choose foods that need to be heated up or cooked.
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Pack lots of sugary snacks, always choose a healthier alternative where possible.
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Stuff the lunch bag full of food that could overwhelm your child or go to waste.
Why is independent eating important?
At home, your child may still ask for help when cutting up food and eating. While every child develops at different rates, independent eating at nursery is a great way of developing this area so they’re prepared for big school where independence is expected.
Independent eating is important for the following reasons:
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It improves fine motor skills.
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Children learn good eating manners.
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Encourages independence and problem-solving skills.
You may want to practice using a lunchbox with your child at home. You can then make sure that they’re able to open it by themselves and feel a little more confident before they go to nursery.
At Little Acorns Day Nursery in Eastleigh and Hedge End, our primary motivation is to guarantee the ongoing wellbeing, happiness and emotional nourishment of every child put into our care. We welcome little ones from birth age up to 5 years old, creating a supportive environment for them to have fun and learn. Get in touch with us today for more information about our services.