Lunchtime & Snacks

Lunchtime Arrangements

At lunchtime, your child can either have a hot school meal, a school packed lunch or they can bring their own packed lunch in from home.  Our Reception children go into the hall first and are initially supported by staff from Classes 1 & 2 and then welfare staff from 12 noon.  We encourage the children to be as independent as possible; getting their own tray, cutlery and cup and carrying their dinner back to their table. Children can sit with their friends so there is a mixture of hot meals and packed lunches on the same table.  As you know your child best, we ask that you look carefully at the options available before making your decision.

What are the options?

Hot School Meal

• Menus run on a three week cycle and parents will be notified when the menu is changed. Menus are sent home and are always available on the school website.
•  There is a healthy variety of food to choose from including a vegetarian option.
• There is a delicious salad bar, with food freshly prepared each day, to supplement the meal.
• There is a choice between two puddings
• Milk and water are always available
• Staff will support your child in getting their dinner and locating a seat in the hall.
• Staff will cut up your child’s meal if needed but we do ask that you support them in developing their independence by practising this at home.

School packed Lunch

• This option is only available for EYFS and KS1 children.
• Sandwich options include ham, cheese or tuna.
• Other items in the packed lunch can include a yoghurt, piece of fruit, bottle of water etc…

Packed Lunch from home

• If you choose to provide a packed lunch from home, then please indicate this on the menu option.
• As we have a healthy eating policy in school, we ask that children are provided with a balanced lunch and ask that children do not bring sweets or chocolate in their packed lunch.  Please visit the following website for some additional ideas for healthier lunchboxes https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes
•  Fizzy drinks, glass bottles and cans should not be sent into school.
• All drinks must be in leak-proof, unbreakable containers.
• Due to limited storage space in school we ask that lunchbags are quite slim (like the bags in the pictures)

Free School Meals

As you may be aware, all children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal under the current government scheme. However, even though your child is entitled to a free school meal if you are in receipt of the following benefits.

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax  Credit   and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for   Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income   must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

…then please click on the link https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals which will take you to the Government site and you can check if you are eligible for free school meals.

If you are eligible, our school will be entitled to additional funding under Pupil Premium.  We strongly recommend that you apply for free school meals for your child if you are eligible and information regarding how we use our pupil premium money is available on our school website.

Milk, Water and Fruit

• Milk – please see the separate letter regarding ordering milk.  It provides details about the scheme and the price for the year.  If you would like your child to have milk then you will  need to complete the form we have supplied and return it by Free Post directly to the milk supplier, to make provision for September.  Please check that you do not miss the cut-off date.

• Fruit - Each child is offered and encouraged to try a piece of fruit each day.  This is free and part of our Healthy Eating Programme.  Please let us know if your child has any food allergies. As fruit is offered daily there is no need to send any additional snacks in with your child. 

Water

• Children need to bring a water bottle to school every day.
• Water is essential to hydrate your child’s brain and to help them to learn.
• Bottles must only contain water - juice and flavoured waters are not allowed.
• Fresh drinking water is available in our EYFS classrooms for children to help themselves to if necessary.