Lunch time at READY STEADY GO

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Before lunch your child will wash their hands then sit at a table with friends and a teacher. Once all the children have sat down and either unpacked their lunch or been served their hot meal, everyone can start eating. The children sit at lunch for 20 minutes, which is timed using sand-timers that the children take responsibility for. Often, the first five minutes is ‘quiet time’ when we don’t talk to each other. This helps the children get started with their meal. After 20 minutes children are allowed to pack up their lunch and recycle any waste. Those who need additional time are welcome to remain at the table to finish their food. 

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Lunch is a social occasion — an opportunity for relaxed conversation and enjoyable social interaction. We believe that a relaxed attitude to eating creates a happy atmosphere at lunch. We do not believe in forcing children to eat their food or in preventing them from eating one item from their lunchboxes until they have eaten another. We do not praise children who eat a lot or criticise children who don’t. Unless a child expressly asks us not to, any food or drink that has been opened or partly consumed is thrown away. Any untouched food is left in the lunchbox, to be taken home. 

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In our experience children often do not initially eat much at lunch time as it’s a new experience eating with a large group. We strongly encourage parents not to worry about this (or talk about it with their children) as it usually changes after a few weeks. We suggest lunch boxes are ‘re-offered’ at pick-up time.

We are focusing greatly on sustainability this year and with that in mind, we are aiming to reduce the amount of single use plastic at RSG. In our experience, Bento-style boxes are a great way for children to have varied, portion-controlled and balanced meals, whilst also reducing waste.

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A few do’s and don’ts for children’s lunch boxes:

• Do provide a varied, colourful and balanced lunch

• Don’t provide juice or sugary drinks – your child will drink this first and it will take away their appetite 

• Do cut up your children’s food – carrots, cucumbers, etc. should be cut into long finger-like shapes. Grapes and cherry tomatoes should be cut in quarters – length ways

• Don’t provide packed foods that children cannot open – look for foods that they can unpack, fostering their independence at lunchtime

• Do include your child in discussions around what they want to eat for lunch, and where their food comes from

• Don’t provide a water bottle – at RSG we provide water, which is accessible to the children at all times of the day

• Don’t provide cutlery – we have cutlery and any utensils brought in often get lost

• Do label your child’s lunchbox

• Remember not to put certain allergens in your child’s lunchbox if RSG have informed you of a serious allergy at the centre

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If your child attends full days at Alexandra Road and King Henry’s Road, you can opt to receive hot lunches from V&Me. If your child receives V&Me lunches, you will need to provide a packed lunch on Forest School days or outings. 

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If you have any questions about lunch, please speak with your child’s key person or lead educator. More information can also be found in your Parent handbook, which is also available as a link on this portal.

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