August 2023
Month in Pictures
Chef’s Corner
Turkey Stir-Fry
Ingredients
125g dried egg noodles, medium or fine
1 small orange, juiced
1 tbsp reduced-salt soy sauce
1tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp vegetable oil
350g skinless turkey breast, cut into strips
5 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 pepper, any colour, deseeded and thinly sliced
1 carrot, cut into thin strips
2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
1 handful mushrooms (cup or button), sliced
1 pinch ground black pepper
Method
Put the noodles into a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 6 minutes or follow instructions on the packet (if you prefer, leave out the noodles and cook 150g long grain rice to serve with the stir-fry)
Next, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce and cornflour until smooth. Set to one side. Heat the oil in a wok or a very large frying pan.
Add the turkey and stir-fry briskly for 3-4 minutes. Add the spring onions, pepper, carrot, celery and mushrooms. Stir-fry over a high heat for another 3-4 minutes, until the turkey is cooked. The vegetables should remain crisp and crunchy (For a vegetarian version, replace the turkey with a 300g pack of firm tofu cut into chunks, or Quorn chicken-style pieces.
Give the orange juice mixture a good stir, then add it to the stir-fry and cook for a few moments until thickened. Drain the noodles well, then add them to the turkey mixture. Serve at once.
Healthy Eating at Snapdragons
At Snapdragons we believe it is essential to provide children with positive healthy eating experiences in order to promote their well-being. We also encourage and teach children to look at the benefits and long-term effects of a healthy and balanced diet. We aim to ensure that mealtimes are a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Snapdragons mealtimes are set as follows:
07:30 - 09:30 - Breakfast
12:00 - Lunch (Babies may be served from 1145)
14:00 - Snack
16:00 - Tea
Snacks offered are varied and balanced and provide a range of cultural and nutritious experiences for the children. Milk or water is served with breakfast and snack and children are encouraged to help prepare and select from the breakfast and snack options available. Staff sit and eat with children and model talking and listening to each other, learning to respect each other's views and opinions, likes and dislikes.
Learning about and through Food
Learning about food is an important part of children’s learning and development and can be linked to all areas of the EYFS.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Mealtimes are an opportunity to taste different foods, overcome dislikes and learn how to share. Cooking activities are offered regularly and encourage teamwork and self-esteem.
Physical Development
Fine and gross motor skills are developed through using cutlery, helping to prepare food and taking part in gardening activities. Mealtimes give opportunity to discuss healthy food choices.
Literacy
Stories, factual books about food and recipe books are shared with the children and provide an opportunity to learn about ingredients, where food comes from
and how food can be used for special occasions. It provides a way of looking at food from other cultures. Activities include writing shopping lists and labels for gardening.
Can you help?
We have been contacted by a researcher for the University of Cambridge who is investigating the role of fish and seafood in the first 1000 days of life. She is looking for pregnant women and the parents/guardians of children under the age of 2 to fill out an online questionnaire that should take approximately 10 minutes. The link to the survey is as follows: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4TUOeAVZk5jrStw
Reminders
As the weather is changeable at the moment, please could you make sure children arrive at nursery with anything they may need - be that sunhats or waterproof coats- or both!
Please can we ask that any items of clothing, comforters and water bottles are clearly labelled with your child’s name on, this helps us to keep a track of anything that belongs to your child.
There are some common forms, such as our Pre-existing Injuries form available on our website. We understand sometimes that the mornings can be a rush, so please feel free to print out and complete before you arrive if its easier.
Nominate your Superstar
We love to hear from our families across Snapdragons about excellent service they have received. If someone at the nursery has impressed you, please fill in their details below and submit to the nursery. We run a rewards scheme for our teams and they can earn gifts by receiving nominations!
