Prime times – Baby and toddler mealtimes

Feeding and mealtimes are key times in the day for being close and promoting security, as well as for exploration and learning. Gan Kinneret Nursery Limited understands the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for young children. At each meal or snack time, a named person is responsible for checking that the food provided meets all requirements for each child.

Bottle fed babies

Babies’ hands are washed before they are given their bottle.
Babies are fed by their key person or back-up key person if the key person is not in.
Bottles are warmed and ready in good time so babies are not left hungry and crying while bottles are prepared.
The key person sits in a comfortable chair or on cushions to feed the baby and remains relaxed and calm.
Babies are held close so that eye contact can be made. Key persons are responsive to babies’ communication and gestures during feeding, talking quietly to them and gently stroking or holding their hands.
Babies are winded after feeding, nappies are changed and the baby is then settled to sleep or play.
Other key children may wish to be close to their carer when a baby is being fed. This can help to allay any anxiety or feelings of jealousy, especially for toddlers.
Planning for feeding times aims to avoid overlapping feeds so that one-to-one attention can be given. Where this cannot be avoided, feeding times are arranged so the key person can comfortably be with both babies.
Feeding is not regarded as a shared task unless in extreme circumstances; unfamiliar carers do not take over feeding just to get it done.
Babies may wish to hold their own bottles, but they are never left to feed themselves with propped bottles.

Toddler mealtimes

Older babies and toddlers who are feeding themselves usually have their meals in their room, with their key group and key person.
While children are eating, there is always a member of staff present in the room with a valid Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Staff remain in sight and hearing of children when they are eating and, wherever possible, sit facing them so they can monitor safe eating, prevent food sharing and notice any unexpected allergic reactions.
Staff eating with the children role-model good hygiene, healthy eating and best practice at all times, for example avoiding drinking cans of fizzy drinks in front of the children.
Food is brought to the room in serving dishes on a trolley.
Tables are arranged and prepared before toddlers sit down so there is no waiting time.
Babies’ and toddlers’ hands are wiped or washed clean before their meal.
Key persons serve their own key children and ask them what they would like to eat. They do not put food on plates if a toddler indicates that they do not want it. Toddlers can become very upset if a strongly disliked food is placed in front of them.
Babies and toddlers are not discouraged from eating with their fingers. Exploring their food with their hands is the beginning of self-feeding and a normal part of sensory learning.
When they have finished eating, they may wish to play a little with any remaining food. It is acceptable for them to get a bit messy; they and their table can be cleaned afterwards.
Babies and toddlers are given time to eat at their own pace and are not hurried to fit in with adults’ tasks or breaks.
Mealtimes are relaxed opportunities for social interaction between babies, toddlers, their group and the adults caring for them. It is a time of learning skills and enjoying being fed as well as satisfying hunger.
To protect children with food allergies or specific dietary requirements, children are discouraged from sharing or swapping food with one another.
While toddlers are mainly fed in their rooms, there are opportunities for older children, especially siblings or children who have recently moved up, to be invited into the room for lunch.
There are also opportunities for babies and toddlers to join the older children at mealtimes, providing they do not find this unsettling or distressing.