Mr Willow (The Bear Chef) continues his “Nursery Food Matters” Campaign!
Valerie Grady (Director of Education at Willow Cottage Nurseries),her Management, Supervisory and Staffing team took time out on Saturday morning to address and consult with parents about the best ways to develop their new Family Fun Food Packs. Based upon Mr. Willow’s Fun Food Activities (designed for staff to use within the Early Years Foundation Stage) these new packs are intended for the children to use at home with their parents and carers. Staff in all departments of the nursery continue to “beaver away” with fun food ideas for the new Family Fun Food Packs convinced that healthy food practice in the early years will not only promote healthy eating, but will influence well being, and set healthy lifestyle choices in later years.
Parents and staff attending the open consultation meeting on Saturday returned some very positive feed back which will help us progress our ideas more effectively for those using them:-
Here is the feedback we had:
- How frequently families might use the packs?
Overall it was felt that the packs would possibly be used once a month and be kept over a 1-2 week period. In addition, possibly to be taken when on holidays.
- Information in the pack that is helpful to parents.
Ideas for fun activities at home were very helpful. Recipes were found to be excellent and quick to set up by parents, and the information how to adapt recipes to add variety was useful.
- Responsibility for concept, producing and maintenance of the packs.
The concept is fantastic. Maintenance of the pack: will everyone look after them? If packs were available for paid download it will provide income for sustained production.
- The format of the packs.
The format is really good. Printed books are better than download (sturdier is better).
- How we will move forward.
A “library” of fun food activities to be available in each room for easier access. To produce a guide on how to modify the Family pack activities for younger children. Parents to make suggestions of recipes that have been passed down through their family.
The food Family packs are ready to be trialled by parents and further feedback will be valued and taken into account for appropriateness and practicality. Thank you.
- “Think the concept is fantastic!”
- “Think it’s a really great idea to pass on these ideas to parents – I’m very grateful – thank you!”
- Information in the pack that is helpful to parents:
- “Child-sized portions, suggestions of how to adapt recipes to add variety. Recipes that children can help with that don’t require cooking as well as those that do”.
- “We really like the packs – concise bullet points mean food packs can quickly be set up by parents.Key words are helpful as are ways to extend/develop the activity. Easy recipe at end appreciated.”
- “ ideas about how to be creative with food and associated”
- “Thank you for today and thank you for valuing the nutrition of the children”
These new family packs encourage parents to read and have fun with their children. They are not only a healthy food initiative but support the findings from the latest research from Essex University on the benefits of parents reading to their children. Professor Yvonne Kelly, who led the Millenium Cohort Study explains in the following BBC article.
