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Q. Am I allowed to see the menus?
A. By all means, you can contact the Supervisor at the school or ring the CBS Helpdesk on 01244 973900. Menu information is also sent home on a regular basis.
Q. Do Cheshire school meals adhere to the latest nutritional standards?
A. Yes, Cheshire do not only meet all but exceed some of the criteria of the nutrient based standards. CBS Catering are currently working towards meeting the new nutrient based standards (that come into effect in September 2008 in primary schools and 2009 in secondary schools) using the latest computer sortware for analysis.
Q. Can my child try the meals for a little while?
A. Yes, many schools encourage all children to start on school meals first to see if they like them. Others are quite happy for children to start on a trial period if the parent is uncertain of what the child wants to do. A period of notice may be involved in swapping from meals to packed lunches, but individual schools decide this.
Q. My child is so fussy, I' m worried she/he won't eat anything . . .
A. Our staff are extremely vigilant, as are the teaching staff and Midday Assistants in school. We are skilled in gentle encouragement and flexible in catering for individual requirements. Children are never forced to eat anything they don't like and CBS staff would always have a discreet word with teachers if difficulties arose.
Q. We eat very healthily at home and I don't want my child to eat too much processed food . . .
A. CBS are very aware of the need for children to establish healthy lifestyle habits at primary school age. Our menus are carefully balanced to include homemade food and fresh produce each day. Our multichoice system, available in most schools, enables children to make informed decisions whilst exercising personal choice. We aim to source more fresh and local produce wherever possible.
Q. Does anyone check on the kitchens?
A. Yes, there is a team of managers, who make sure standards are high in every school. We welcome feedback from parents, and are positive about requests and suggestions from customers and clients in the schools.
Q. I think we might qualify for free school meals but don't know who to ask. What do I do?
A. No problem, see the guidelines below or you will need to ring the Area Education Office for advice. The phone numbers are as follows;
01625 374777 & 374766
Am I eligible? Please remember where parent/guardian and carers are in receipt of the following:-
• Income support (IS);
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA);
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
• Child Tax Credit: provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed the limit set (please ring for details).
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit: You are usually entitled to free school meals. Please contact your school for more information or phone children’s services using the number below.
Jill Wainwright, Supervisor at Sutton Green Primary School, would like to reassure you....
"I just love lunchtimes. It is the best part of the day for me. You see all the happy smiling children enjoying their food and talking with their friends. They send me little thank you notes and pictures they have drawn which I pin up on my wall for them to see. I enjoy feeding the teachers as well; we are a big happy family here."
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