School Meals

At Oatlands Infant School we believe that healthy eating should be promoted as an enjoyable activity, as well as one that contributes to good health. We believe that it is the schools’ role to develop children’s abilities to make informed food choices, in a way which acknowledges and respects the eating habits of individuals and families.

School meals

School meals are prepared on the premises. They are served in the school hall by the Catering Manager (Miss Morrell) and the catering assistants (Mr Morris & Miss Smith). We have lunchtime supervisors to care for the children. We encourage children to be independent so your child will be allowed to decide when they have had enough to eat. If your child does have eating problems or allergies please talk to your child’s teacher.

Meals for all Infant School children are currently provided free of charge through the Universal Free School Meal system.

There is the opportunity for families to apply for the school to claim Pupil Premium Funding. This is determined by family income and benefit details.  If you are in receipt of any of the following you may apply for Free School Meals  using the link below

• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods (£616.67 per month);

• Income Support;

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;

• Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;

• The guarantee element of Pension Credit;

• Child Tax Credit, provided you are also not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual household gross income that does not exceed £16,190 (as assessed by HMRC); or

• Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

Please note that contributions-based benefits, including contribution-related Jobseekers' Allowance do not entitle you to claim free school meals.

North Yorkshire Free School Meals 

Snacks

As part of the governments fruit and veg scheme pupils are provided with a choice of fruit or vegetable for their snack time each day. However, if your child is unable to have this you may provide them with one item to replace it which should not include items such as sandwiches, biscuits, crisps or sweets.

Drinks

At Oatlands we encourage our children to bring a water bottle filled with water which they are able to refill in the classrooms as needed. We ask that these are taken home each day to be cleaned to avoid infection. Children are not permitted to have juice in their water bottles.

Packed lunches

If you would prefer, your child may bring a packed lunch. Your child’s lunchbox will need to be labelled. Any uneaten food will be sent home so that you can see if you are sending too much. All drinks need to be in an unbreakable container with a screw top lid. 

Our packed lunch policy is developed using guidance from Action for children and NHS Better Heath. This guidance aims to support pupils to have a balanced lunch and best prepare them for learning in the afternoon.

packed lunches should aim to include:

• A portion of starchy food such as bread (white or wholegrain bread, rolls, pitta bread or wraps, plain naan bread, bagels) cooked pasta, rice, noodles, couscous or potato as a salad.

• At least one portion of fruit and or vegetable

• Dairy food such as cheese or yogurts

• A portion of beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat or other protein.

Packed lunches should not include:

• Crisps

• Sweets

• Any items containing chocolate including bars, biscuits, cakes or yogurts/dessert

• Fizzy drinks

• Any products containing nuts

Lunchtime playtimes

After eating their lunch (or before in the case of the Year 2 children), children will play in the playground. Children are encouraged to play games with each other. Toys such as skipping ropes and balls are made available for them.

We do have some clubs which staff run at lunchtime, these are currently: calligraphy, mindfulness and German. 

Celebrations

We recognised the importance of birthdays and special occasions. For birthday celebrations all children receive a sticker and song in celebration assembly. We discourage bringing in chocolates, sweets and cakes for birthdays.

Mellors

Mellors are the catering company we use to provide our school meals and they work with us in a number of ways to ensure the children get a healthy balanced meal each day.  They have also prepared fact sheets and recipe sheets for families to use at home.

Week 1 - week beginning 19th Feb, 11th March, 8th April, 29th April, 20th May, 10th June, 15th July

Week 2 - week beginning 26th Feb, 18th March, 15th April, 6th May, 27th May, 17th June, 8th July

Week 3 - week beginning 4th March, 25th March, 22nd April, 13th May, 3rd June, 24th June, 15th July