Our approach

The very best nutritional start in life

At The Old Forge Day Nursery, we take great pride in delivering a menu that celebrates the beauty of healthy and delicious food, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start. We firmly believe that children deserve the opportunity to explore new flavours and benefit from a well-balanced meal throughout the day, from breakfast through to lunch and a delightful light tea.

Our menu is designed by our Catering Manager, Kate. Each meal is freshly prepared by our talented nursery cook, ensuring that they are bursting with flavour and packed with essential nutrition. We go above and beyond the Early Years Guidelines, offering a diverse range of dishes that cater to every dietary requirement.

One of our core principles is to prioritise the use of unrefined sugars in our homemade baked goods and cakes. Moreover, we surpass the recommended minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. We have eliminated added salt from our food and incorporate reduced-sugar cereals, wholegrain breads, pasta, and rice. The meat we use is locally sourced and fresh, adhering to our commitment to using low-saturated fats, lean meats, and fish that are grilled, baked, poached, or steamed to perfection.

Our 16-day rolling menu ensures that all children can experience a wide variety of dishes, regardless of the days they attend nursery. We take pride in offering an exciting range of cuisines from around the world, designed to be inclusive and educational for the children in our care. From Korean, Greek, Italian, and Indian dishes to Japanese delicacies, our menu introduces ingredients such as Kimchi, Tempeh, Kachumber, and Ramen. This exposure to diverse flavours and culinary traditions broadens the horizons of our children, providing them with a unique learning experience.

At The Old Forge Day Nursery, we are committed to catering to the unique needs and allergies of each child. We prominently display clear allergy information throughout the nursery, ensuring that everyone is aware of specific dietary requirements. To further support this, we use named red plates for children with allergies or dietary restrictions, making it easy for everyone to identify which meals are suitable for each child. For those with intolerances, we strive to provide dishes that closely resemble what their peers are enjoying, ensuring that they do not feel left out. Additionally, we offer oat or soy milk as alternatives to dairy, and we prioritise the use of organic dairy products.

Our high standards:

• We only use unrefined sugars in our homemade baked goods and cakes
• A minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables served throughout each day
• No added salt & reduced sugar cereals ~ Wholegrain breads, pasta and rice
• We only use fresh locally sourced meat and free range eggs
• All dairy free, vegan, and allergy-specific diets catered for
• Low saturated fats, lean meats and fish which we either grill, bake, poach or steam
• Exciting themed days with cooking activities across all our age groups