Our Lunch Club is available for children who attend all day or who would like to extend their session slightly. For example, a child may attend the morning session followed by Lunch Club, meaning their day runs from 9:00am–1:00pm instead of finishing at 12:00pm. 

If the lunchtime session exceeds your child’s funded hours, this will be chargeable. for further information about our fees, please visit this page: Fees, funding and help with costs

Lunch Club at Oaklands – Healthy Eating Information for Parents

We want every child at Oaklands Lunch Club to enjoy their food, learn good habits, and stay healthy and happy. The Lunch Club offers children the chance to enjoy a sociable mealtime and a slightly longer session at nursery. Children bring a healthy packed lunch in a named bag, which we store safely until lunchtime. Staff prepare the room so that children sit together to eat, learning valuable routines such as washing hands, using good table manners, and tidying away afterwards. Once finished, children can choose from a range of calm activities, supporting a smooth transition back into play and learning.

Below is some information to help you pack a nutritious lunch that meets the latest Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition guidance in the UK.

What the new EYFS Nutrition Guidance asks for

• All food and drink provided or brought from home must be healthy, balanced and nutritious.
• Meals and packed lunches should include a variety of foods from the four main food groups:

 1. Starchy carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc.)

 2. Fruits and vegetables – fresh, frozen, tinned (in juice or water), or dried fruit (but limit dried fruit, use in meals rather than as snack).

 3. Protein foods – meat, fish, eggs, beans, pulses, or alternatives.

 4. Dairy or unsweetened dairy alternatives, especially those fortified with calcium.

• Drinks should be water and/or milk; avoid sugary or fizzy drinks.
• Foods high in sugar, salt or saturated fat should be limited or avoided. Sweets, chocolate bars, crisps, sugary drinks, etc should be avoided and healthier alternatives offered.
• Portions should be appropriate for young children (ages 1 to 5).
• Food safety is important: avoid choking hazards, cut grapes/cherry tomatoes, remove stones/pips, and store perishable food appropriately.

What This Means for Oaklands Lunch Club

Our Policy & What We Ask

• Packed Lunches Only: You provide your child’s lunch in a named bag with a drink in a non‑breakable container. We store food in the fridge until lunchtime.
• No Sweets or Fizzy Drinks: We kindly request these are not bought in, to support our healthy eating policy.
• Support Fussy Eaters: We’re happy to work with parents if children hesitate or are picky/fussy with their food. Staff will always try to encourage children to try new foods where possible.
• Mealtime Routine: Children will sit together at the table, practise handwashing before eating, use good table manners, and tidy away afterwards.
• If Lunch Isn’t Eaten: Staff will note what has and hasn’t been eaten. Any uneaten food is left in the lunchbox so you can see. If a child is still hungry later, we will offer something appropriate.

Healthy Lunch‑Box Ideas

Safety & Practical Tips

• Use insulated lunch bags or include an ice‑pack if the lunch contains perishable food.
• Make sure things like grapes, cherry tomatoes, cocktail sausages are cut up; remove pips/stones from fruit.
• Clearly name everything.
• Let your child help pack their lunch when possible—this increases interest and willingness to try new foods.
• Vary what you pack over the week to help ensure a balanced intake.