This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week                1st – 5th March 2010      

Monday:  Steak Pie with Leek and Potato Mash,  Rice Pudding

Tuesday:  Lamb Meatballs and Butterbeans,    Fruit Pie and Custard

Wednesday:  

Turkey Bolognaise Pie,    Pineapple and Grapes

Thursday:  Sausages with Cauliflower and Broccoli Bake,   Semolina 

Friday:  Chicken and Mushroom Curry with Brown Rice,    Gooseberry Sponge 

Nursery costs in England rise above inflation rate

Nursery costs in England have increased at almost double the rate of inflation, despite the recession. The findings come from childcare charity Daycare Trust’s annual Childcare Costs Survey, compiled from figures submitted by Family Information Services in England, Scotland and Wales. In England the cost of a nursery place has risen by 5.1 per cent, while all forms of childcare costs have seen an increase.

Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) comments: “High quality childcare is crucial in the current economic climate and it is also important to recognise that many nurseries themselves have seen falling demand due to job losses and reduced hours of use by parents. NDNA recognises that many parents find it difficult to pay for childcare, but our evidence also shows nurseries are experiencing a real battle to remain open in tough times and achieve challenging government targets for better qualified staff. Nurseries themselves are very aware of the struggles parents face and are working hard to keep increases to an absolute minimum, with many barely breaking even.

Purnima adds: “Although the average rise (in fees) of 5.1% sounds high, it is important to consider the reason for this…… Nurseries are working hard to achieve the government vision of a highly qualified nursery team with graduate leadership, but are finding it hard to reward them without passing some of the cost to parents. We agree that more help is to be welcomed for parents, but equally government needs to look at more investment in nurseries so that they can pay their staff the wages they deserve without making childcare unaffordable for parents. In the meantime, it is vital that parents check they are getting all the help available for the costs of childcare, such as childcare vouchers and tax credits, as these can make significant savings yet there are many families who are unaware they are entitled to them..……Childcare is vital to the success and recovery of the economy, and we hope that all political parties will ensure supporting families and the sector is high on the agenda for their manifestos.”

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week                15th – 19th February 2010      

Monday:  Lasagne with green salad and garlic bread,  Natural yoghurt and peaches    

Tuesday:  Lamb curry served with vegetable rice,    Pancakes

Wednesday:  Yorkshire Pudding with savoury filling,    Apple pie and custard

Thursday:  Chicken and Vegetable Plait,   Rice pudding with Sultanas

Friday:  Cheesy Vegetable Bake with Fishcakes,    Apricot Sponge

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week                8th – 12th February 2010      

Monday: Cajun Style Chicken with sliced potatoes,          Stewed Apple and Custard    

Tuesday: Spinach and Ricotta Cheese brown rice Loaf,    Banana Mousse

Wednesday: Roast chicken and vegetables,    Chocolate sponge

Thursday: Captain’s fish pie topped with cauliflower mash,  Fruits of the Forest Crumble

Friday: Sausage and chive cakes with broccoli and cheese sauce,    Lemon curd tart and custard

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week                1st – 5th February 2010      

Monday: Meatballs and Vegetable Rice,       Semolina with fruit sauce

Tuesday:  Turkey and Lentil rissoles with Anna Potatoes,    Jelly

Wednesday: Grilled Fish with Stir fry vegetables,    Rhubarb crumble and custard

Thursday: Chicken Pie,  Fruit Salad

Friday: Tagliatelle with minced steak and sweet corn,    Jam sponge

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week                25th – 29th January 2010 

Monday: Turkey and vegetables in a Yorkshire pudding,    Lemon Tart  

Tuesday: Beef Hash and roast vegetables, Coconut and lime cake

Wednesday: Cod in batter with sauté potatoes, Rhubarb crumble

Thursday: Toad in the hole with anna potatoes, Eccles Cakes

Friday: Spaghetti bolognaise, Chocolate mousse

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week     18th – 22nd January 2010           

Monday: Lamb and Spinach Curry with rice,         Raspberry Sponge and custard

Tuesday: Hungarian Beef Goulash, Manchester Tart

Wednesday: Lasagne with garlic bread and salad, Chocolate Cake

Thursday: Lancaster Hot Pot, Jam Roly poly

Friday: Cod and Potato Layer bake with spicy tomato sauce, Cheese Cake

Learning Curve Gets 5 Star Scores-on-the-Doors Award

Congratulations to Chef: Learning Curve Day Nursery has been awarded 5 stars in the latest spot-check inspection from the Wiltshire Council Food Safety Star Rating Scheme. This is a great result and a tribute to Jean’s hard work and attention to detail and quality. Well done Jean!

This Week’s Lunch Menus

Week    11th – 15th  January 2010            

Monday: Cottage Pie topped with Swede mash, Semolina and strawberry sauce    

Tuesday: Roast Cod with peas and mash, Bakewell Tart

Wednesday: Turkey Plait with Roasties, Jam Sponge and Custard

Thursday: Meatballs with Savoury Rice, Fruit Salad

Friday: Chicken Stir Fry with pasta shells, Rice Pudding

SNOW NEWS

Friday 8th January 2010

The Nursery will close at 5.00pm today