Contents

1. Policy Intent 

2. Transparency & Invoicing 

3. Consumables & Extras Bundle 

4. Opt-out Structure and Termly Commitment ​

5. Non-Food Consumables – Parent-Supplied Option 

6. Food – Parent-Provided Meals 

7. Parental Competence & Food Safety Assurance 

8. Welfare, Equity & Benefits Confirmation 

9. Optional Enrichment Activities – Opt-out Implications 

10. Management Discretion & Safeguarding Override 

11. Review 

1. Policy Intent 

The Butterfly Patch and Mindful Nurseries are committed to ensuring that all children attending the setting receive safe, nutritionally appropriate care that supports their health, development, and welfare, in line with: 

• EYFS statutory safeguarding and welfare requirements - click here.

• DfE Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance (effective 1 April 2025) - click here.

• Food Standards Agency allergen and food safety requirements - click here.

• DfE Nutrition guidance for children aged 1 to 5 years - click here.

Government funding covers early education delivery only. It does not include food, non-food consumables, or optional enrichment activities. The setting therefore offers these as chargeable extras, while ensuring the funded entitlement remains accessible. 

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2. Transparency & Invoicing 

Invoices will clearly and separately identify: 

• Funded entitlement hours 

• Additional paid hours (if applicable) 

• Food charges 

• Non-food consumables charges 

• Optional activities charges 

Where families choose a bundled option, the component costs will still be itemised in accordance with DfE transparency expectations. 

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3. Consumables & Extras Bundle 

For operational efficiency, safeguarding consistency, and child welfare, the setting offers a bundled package which includes: ​

a) Food provision 

• All meals and snacks appropriate to the child’s booked session 

• Milk and water 

• Lunch is always a hot meal 

b) Non-food consumables 

• Nappies 

• Wipes 

• Nappy sacks 

• Barrier creams / sun cream (where applicable) 

c) Optional enrichment activities 

Activities beyond core EYFS delivery (e.g. specialist sessions, visitors, themed events). 

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This may also include specific materials or resources required for enrichment activities that sit outside the EYFS curriculum, including but not limited to: 

• Individual workbooks or learning journals 

• Craft, STEM, or project-based materials 

• Activity-specific consumables required for individual use 

Where materials are issued for individual use, they are provided per child, per day, and must be taken home daily. 

The setting cannot store, manage, or reissue personal enrichment materials. 

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4. Opt-out Structure and Termly Commitment 

Parents may request to opt out of individual elements (e.g. you can opt in for food but opt out enrichment etc.) a term at a time. 

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• Requests must be submitted 10–15 working days before the start of a new term 

• Mid-term changes are not normally permitted due to staffing, purchasing, and safeguarding planning 

• All opt-out requests are reviewed by the management team and may require additional documentation (see below) 

Opt-out requests relating to enrichment activities include acceptance of any associated material requirements described in Section 9. 

5. Non-Food Consumables – Parent-Supplied Option 

5.1 Daily supply requirement 

Where parents opt out of the consumables package: 

• Parents must provide only enough nappies and wipes for that day 

• All unused items must be taken home daily 

• The setting cannot store personal consumables due to infection control, space, and cross-contamination risks 

• Food container(s) and consumables must fit inside the child’s bag 

• All items must be clearly labelled 

5.2 Running out of consumables 

If a child runs out of nappies or wipes during the day: 

• The setting will supply nappies/wipes to ensure the child’s dignity and welfare 

• A flat emergency consumables charge of £10 per day will be applied, regardless of quantity used 

This charge includes administrative handling and restocking costs. 

6. Food – Parent-Provided Meals 

6.1 General position 

Food provision is a significant safeguarding and welfare matter. For consistency, allergy control, and nutritional assurance, the setting strongly encourages families to use the setting’s food provision. Lunch is always a hot meal. 

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Parents who wish to opt out must meet all requirements below. 

6.2 Mandatory requirements for parent-provided food 

a) Allergens & prohibited items 

• No nuts or nut products, including spreads and items with unclear cross-contamination risk 

• No takeaway food 

• No ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a main meal 

All allergens can pose risks to children, staff, and visitors. 
The setting’s restricted allergens may change at short notice, including daily, based on current needs. 

b) Nutritional standards 

Food must: 

• Meet UK government healthy eating guidance for under-5s & Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance - click here for more info.

• Be a balanced meal, appropriate in portion size and composition 

• Be varied daily and broadly aligned with the setting’s own menu 

c) Labelling (mandatory – no exceptions) 

Each meal must be supplied with a completed food label including: 

• Child’s full name 

• Date of preparation 

• Full ingredient list 

• Clear identification of all 14 allergens 

• Storage instructions 

Food without full labelling will not be served and will be replaced subject to the charges below. 

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6.3 Temperature & reheating 

• The setting will not reheat parent-provided food 

• Hot food must be provided in a suitable thermal container 

• Food must be at safe hot-holding temperature (≥63°C) at time of serving. Food cannot simply be reheated prior to providing to the nursery, this puts your child at risk. 

If food is not safe to serve, the setting will either:

• Provide a meal at £8,

• Require the parent to collect, feed, and return the child (subject to operational feasibility).

7. Parental Competence & Food Safety Assurance 

Due to the safeguarding risks involved, parents supplying food are recommended to (optional):

• Hold a Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety certificate, including allergen awareness (we will provide a link to a free course)

• Sign a Parent Food Safety & Allergen Responsibility Declaration 

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8. Welfare, Equity & Benefits Confirmation 

Where a family chooses to opt out of food provision, we may invite them to discuss the decision with us. This is not a condition of accessing funded childcare or opting out of optional charges, but helps us ensure families are aware of any support that may be available.

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We encourage families to let us know if they:

• Receive NHS Healthy Start.

• Receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits.

• Would like support identifying any financial assistance or subsidies that may be available.

With the family's agreement, we may also invite them to complete a voluntary income and expenditure review where this could help us identify additional support or determine whether a nursery-funded fee waiver or subsidy may be available.

Any information shared will be used only to:

• Support the child's welfare.

• Help families access any financial support for which they may be eligible.

• Consider whether a nursery-funded subsidy or fee waiver may better meet the family's needs.

Choosing not to provide this information will not affect a family's entitlement to funded childcare or their ability to opt out of optional charges. However, it may limit our ability to identify and offer additional financial support.

9. Optional Enrichment Activities – Opt-out Implications 

Where a family opts out of chargeable enrichment activities: 

• The setting may not be able to provide parallel EYFS-equivalent provision at all times 

• Enrichment activities may require specific materials, workbooks, or individual-use items that are not covered by the EYFS curriculum 

• Parents opting out are responsible for providing any required materials where participation is expected 

Where enrichment materials are: 

• Designed for individual use, and 

• Issued per day or per activity, 

Parents must: 

• Provide the required materials on the day 

• Ensure all materials are taken home daily 

The setting cannot store, manage, or reuse parent-provided enrichment materials. 

Where appropriate provision cannot reasonably be delivered: 

• Free entitlement hours may be offered on an alternative day, subject to availability, 

• Or we will offer an alternative EYFS core activity,​
• Or on occasion the associated charge may be waived.

This will be communicated in advance wherever practicable. 

10. Management Discretion & Safeguarding Override 

The setting reserves the right to: 

• Decline or revoke an opt-out arrangement termly in agreement with the family

• Encourage participation in food and/or consumables provision 

Where management believes that: 

• A child’s welfare may be compromised 

• Food safety risks cannot be adequately controlled 

• Administrative or safeguarding burden becomes disproportionate 

All decisions will be documented and made in the child’s best interests. 

11. Review 

This policy is reviewed annually and whenever DfE guidance changes.