It is well known that in the early years of the child’s development eating habits and tastes are formed for life. At Tootsies your child will be introduced to a wide range of fresh stimulating flavours which will help to establish healthy eating pattern.

It is well known that in the early years of the child's development eating habits and tastes are formed for life. At Tootsies your child will be introduced to a wide range of fresh stimulating flavours which will help to establish healthy eating.

At Tootsies we believe that meal times should be a happy, social occasion for staff and children alike. Positive interactions should be shared at these times and enjoyed. Tootsies Private Day Nursery Ltd is committed to offering children healthy, nutritious balanced meals and snacks which meet individual's needs and requirements.

Chef Tristian Strover is a big part of Tootsies' success with nursery food. He joined us in 2009 with extensive experience in the catering trade. He bakes his own bread, makes his own yeast and provides a great variety of dishes and sea­sonal foods. He monitors the children's likes and dislikes and adjusts the menus accordingly.

Parents can meet Tristian at open days, where they can take part in a master class in cooking a meal with fresh produce and are offered recipe booklets to take home. Tootsies caters for all individual needs such as allergies or vegetarian or religious requirements. There is also a wean­ing menu for the youngest children.

Children receive a balanced and healthy breakfast, midday meal, tea and three daily snacks attending a full day at the nursery, menus are planned in advance, rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. These are displayed for parents to view. Menus include five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day

Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their children's dietary needs including any allergies. Where appropriate we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual diet plan for children.

Meal and snack times are organised so that they are social occasions in which children and staff participate in small groups. During meals and snack times children are encouraged to use manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' and conversation is encouraged.

Tootsies took part and won in the Nursery World Awards for 2011 under the category of ‘Nursery Food'. The awards recognise and highlight the best organisations, teams, individuals, initiatives and resources in the UK. They shine a light on the hard work, innovation and dedication of those in early years education and childcare, illustrating best practice and raising the profile of early years. Tootsies was visited by Nursery Word Award judge Annie Seeley, Annie is a registered Public Health Nutritionist specialising in child nutrition and early years food provision. Annie spent time reviewing the menus and how our practice as a whole supports children and their families healthy lifestyles.