Free Healthy Nursery Meals

Useful resources

Useful resources

• Public Health England guidance and example menus for early years settings: the recipes meet the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare requirement, in providing ‘healthy, balanced and nutritious’ meals for children
• Eat Better, Start Better voluntary food and drink guidelines for early years settings in England
• First Steps Nutrition provide resources for early years settings on:
  o Portion sizes
  o Snacks
  o Packed lunches
  o Vegan diets
  o Cost effective recipes and getting the most out of Healthy Start vouchers
  o Sustainable menus
• Evelina London Community Service deliver the following sessions:
  o Starting Solid Foods (interactive talks for parents and babies)
  o Nutrition advice sessions (universal easy access to a dietitian)
  o Positive mealtimes (5 week programme for parent and child aged 2-4 years by referral only)
  o Cook and Eat Well courses for parents and carers of the under 5s in children’s centres. Practical cooking and nutrition education.
  o Cook and Taste sessions for parent and child to experience food preparation and cooking together in Children's Centres
• The Food Standards Agency provides clear guidance for schools on managing allergies, as well as child friendly posters that can be displayed.
• Healthy Start vouchers can be used to buy healthy foods. The vouchers are for anyone who is pregnant or caring for children under 4 years on a low income. Healthy start vouchers can be exchanged for plain cows' milk, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables and infant formula.