Meals
All children attending a funded early learning and childcare session in our Early Childhood Centres receive a hot meal provided by our catering team.
From August 2023, there will be a single hot meal option with either a starter or dessert every day.
The menus have been designed to include popular dishes whilst maintaining nutritional standards. We consult regularly with staff about menus and the meal experience in our Early Childhood Centres through our ‘Meals Group’ and consulted with children about meals as part of our Statutory Consultation in 2022.
Soup will be available daily as an alternative light meal option for any child who may require it. All soups are made fresh daily.
Menus
Our Catering Services are the longest standing ‘Food for Life Served Here’ gold award holder in the UK recognising all our meals are made from fresh ingredients, using free-range eggs supplied by Corrie Mains and high-welfare meat, and are free from genetically modified ingredients and undesirable additives. Fresh fruit and vegetables are organic and will be seasonal.
All menus meet the current Nutritional Standards for Food and Drink in Scotland 2020, and are in accordance with Public Health Scotland: Setting the table guidance for early learning and childcare providers.
We cater for cultural and lifestyle dietary preferences and bespoke menus will be created for children with allergies and intolerances that have been medically recognised. If your child has any allergens or dietary requirements you must contact your child’s Early Childhood Centre.
View the lunch and dinner menus
Milk and snack
The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme provides funding for all children attending an early learning and childcare setting to receive a 189ml serving of milk (or suitable alternative) and portion of fruit or vegetables every day.
Mossgiel Dairy in Mauchline work in partnership with us to provide all the milk to our Early Childhood Centres; this is organic and is delivered in reusable packaging.
Local supplier, A&A Spittal provide the fruit and vegetables for the healthy snacks in our Early Childhood Centres.
Drinks
Drinking water is available to children throughout the day in all our Early Childhood Centres.