At Sandytots, your child’s safety comes first. Learn how we manage food allergies and special diets with care, clear communication, and allergy-aware meal planning.
We know that when your child starts nursery it’s a big adjustment, and it can be an emotional time for both you and your little one. But if your child has any allergies or specific dietary needs, it can add an extra worry into the mix.
To set your mind at ease, we thought we’d share with you just a few of the ways that we manage special diets and allergies at Sandytots.
Communication with Parents
Prior to your child’s first day at Sandytots, we’ll work with you to complete a personalized Care Plan for your child; giving us valuable insight into their unique personality, preferences, interests, daily routines, and developmental stages.
As part of this plan, we will find out about your child’s individual dietary requirements and preferences, so we can ensure we provide for these needs effectively. We request that all parents inform us immediately of any new allergies and intolerances diagnosed after your little one has started at nursery.
Communication with Staff Members
We do everything we can to ensure that all staff members are aware of any allergies and dietary requirements. Both staff in the rooms and kitchen staff have up to date, written information about the food allergies and intolerances of individual children, so they can be easily referenced and adhered to at all times.
Nut Allergies
Some children may have severe nut allergies, and even a tiny trace can cause a serious reaction. That’s why we’ve put a few careful measures in place to protect them:
- No nuts or nut products in any food brought from home – this includes lunchboxes, snacks, and any dinners intended for the nursery.
- Breakfasts from home shouldn’t be brought onto the premises.
- As an extra safety step, all lunchboxes are checked at the door to ensure they’re completely nut-free.
We know that packing lunches and planning meals can already feel like a lot, so we truly appreciate your understanding and support in following these guidelines.
Birthday Celebrations at Nursery: Let’s Celebrate Safely (and Sweetly!)
We absolutely love celebrating milestones with your little ones – especially birthdays! And of course, no birthday feels complete without a slice of cake.
To make sure everyone can safely join in the fun, we do have a few guidelines in place around birthday treats:
🎂 Home-made cakes, while no doubt delicious, aren’t allowed in the nursery. This is simply because we need to carefully manage allergy and dietary requirements, and homemade items can’t be fully checked for allergens.
🛒 Shop-bought cakes are welcome – as long as they’re clearly labelled, nut-free, and in their original packaging. This allows us to review ingredients and ensure the cake is safe for all children to enjoy.
If you’re ever unsure about what to bring, just have a quick chat with a member of the team—we’re always happy to help.
Our Menus
At Sandytots, mealtimes are more than just food – they’re an important part of growing healthy, happy children. That’s why we offer a carefully researched menu that rotates weekly on a 3-week schedule, providing variety and balance throughout the month.
We’re proud to prepare all meals using locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and meats, ensuring freshness and supporting our community. Plus, we bake all our own bread and cakes in-house, so we can tailor recipes to meet every child’s nutritional needs.
Our menus are always on display and readily available for parents to review. If there’s ever a concern or specific dietary need – like a requirement for meat-free options – we’re happy to work with you to find a suitable replacement.
Food Safety at Meal Times
Whilst eating, every child is carefully watched over and supported by skilled, attentive staff. While they enjoy their food, each child remains within the clear sight and hearing of a qualified team member – someone who knows exactly how to respond if needed.
What’s more, there’s always a staff member nearby with a valid paediatric first aid certificate, ready to act swiftly and confidently in any emergency.
We are always here to support any dietary requirements, so please speak to your child’s key worker if you have any concerns – we’re more than happy to help!
