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Healthy Food Policy V4

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References:
Health and Safety, Child Health and Well-Being, Licensing Criteria 2008, HS115 and HS116
Te Whāriki:
Mana Atua/Well-being - Goal 1: Tamariki/Children experience an environment where their health is
promoted.
Statement of Intent:
At Windsor Montessori, we are committed to ensuring that tamariki/ have the opportunity to learn
about healthy foods. We are also committed to supporting parents/whānau/caregivers in learning
about the importance of healthy eating for the wellbeing of their tamariki.


Strategies

Food Choices and Lunch-Box Guidelines

●Our lunch-box guideline information will be shared with whānau as part of their enrolment process and through newsletters.

●Parents/whānau/caregivers are to provide a named lunch-box for their tamaiti/child.

●Food requiring refrigeration is to be named and placed in the fridge in the kitchen.

●Foods provided in heatable containers will be heated for tamariki using the microwave at lunch time.

●Parents are strongly encouraged to provide simple nutritious food for lunch kai, such as nutritious sandwiches, wraps, fruit/vegetables, leftover meals, cheese, yoghurt, and healthy muffins etc.

●In the interest of promoting healthy eating habits, whānau are encouraged to keep foods that are high in fat, sodium and sugar to a minimum. Foods such as lollies, confectionery, roll ups, and highly coloured corn snacks such as Twisties, Cheezels, Burger Rings, Cheese Balls, chips and Rashuns are to be kept at home. If a lunch-box contains any of these foods, a friendly reminder will be sent home with such items to eat at home.

●We are a nut-free preschool. We request that parents/whānau/caregivers do not send any nuts, peanut butter, nutella or any other nut products with their tamariki to preschool.

●Sustainable practices are important to us at preschool and are part of our philosophy. Whānau will be encouraged to avoid plastic (gladwrap) and consider using the following options:-​

  • use reusable, non-toxic sandwich and snack bags or consider using an eco-friendly option such as beeswax wraps instead.

  • Storing food in food containers.

●Foods listed in the Ministry of Health Guidance – “Reducing food related choking for babies and young children at early learning services” are excluded from this service:-​

  • whole or pieces of nuts

  • large seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower seeds

  • hard or chewy sweets or lollies

  • crisps or chippies

  • hard rice crackers

  • dried fruit

  • sausages, saveloys and cheerios

  • popcorn

  • marshmallows

● We reduce the risk of choking by doing the following:

  • Supervise tamariki when eating

  • Have rituals around sitting at tables when eating all food.

  • Permanent staff have up to date first aid training.

● Tamariki will drink only water at the preschool. Drinking water will be available at all times for tamariki to access independently. Tamariki will be encouraged to drink water throughout the day.
● Allergies, food intolerances and special dietary requirements will be a shared responsibility of
the parents/whānau/caregivers and Windsor Montessori.

● On enrolment, we ask parents/whānau/caregivers to share with us any information regarding any allergies or intolerances their tamaiti may have.
● If an allergy is life threatening, a separate individual Health Plan will be developed to ensure Kaiako know specific emergency protocol and procedures.
● Experiences involving health, food and nutrition will be incorporated into the daily learning.
● Handwashing and general hygiene routines will be observed when handling food by kaiako.
● Tamariki will be shown on a regular basis the importance of washing hands before they eat.
● An allergy list will be kept and updated regularly. This will be referred to when preparing food for baking on the premises.
● There will be designated areas for tamariki to sit at when eating. These areas will be supervised by kaiako.
● We see ‘kai’ time as a great opportunity to promote relationships, language, independence and
self-help skills, as well as being an opportunity to promote the importance of eating food that is healthy and nutritious for our bodies.
● Nutritious baking will be part of our curriculum and this will provide further opportunities to promote healthy eating practices.
● Any records of food prepared or given out by kaiako are kept for inspection.
● Our edible garden will grow a variety of vegetables, which will be regularly cared for by
tamariki and kaiako.
● Tamariki will learn about growing, harvesting and preparing nutritious food.
● We are a breastfeeding friendly preschool.
● If parents/whānau/caregivers wish to contribute food on birthdays or other special celebrations,
we will ask them to bring a healthy snack ie fruit platter 

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food safety procedures

  • The fridge is available to ensure that food is stored safely. All food that is consumed by tamariki is kept in the fridge i.e baking done as part of our curriculum. The fridge temperature is kept at 5 degrees or below).

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Date: April 2026

Next review date: April  2028

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