Food & Mealtimes

Before your child starts with us, we gather full details about any allergies or dietary needs so we can make a personalised Health Care Plan just for them. We keep this updated and make sure the whole team knows what’s needed.

Your child’s allergy documents and photo are displayed in their room and the kitchen so everyone can act safely and confidently. Our chefs keep detailed allergen records, adapt meals when necessary, and use colour-coded plates and labelled place settings – so that the right food always goes to the right child.

We employ paediatric first aid trained staff, and everyone has food safety and allergy awareness training. A Mealtime Lead checks every meal. We also respect cultural and religious diets, offering options like vegetarian or halal so all children feel safe, happy, and included at mealtimes.

Fussy eating is really common, especially around 18 months to 2 years, and it’s usually just a normal part of development - so please don’t worry.

At nursery, children often surprise their parents! They’re much more likely to try new foods when they see their friends eating the same thing.

Our teams create relaxed, positive mealtime experiences with no pressure, lots of praise, and plenty of chances to explore different tastes and textures.

If a child refuses the meal provided or is still learning to try new things, we’ll offer an alternative, such as a sandwich. This is only given if they haven’t eaten a sizable portion of the meal, even after encouragement, so we can make sure they’re not hungry and always have energy for all their endless adventures!

If a child’s diet becomes very limited or persistent, we’ll talk with parents and, if needed, suggest seeking advice from a health professional. We’ll always work together to support your child.

We take children’s nutrition seriously! Every meal is balanced, tasty, varied, and served in the right portion for their age.

Each day, we provide three balanced meals and two snacks, covering all the main food groups , fruits & vegetables, carbohydrates, protein, dairy (and alternatives), with only limited fat. This way, meals are both nutritious and enjoyable.

All meals are cooked on-site by trained Early Years Chefs, so your child enjoys fresh, carefully prepared food.

We follow strict hygiene standards and portion guidelines so every meal is safe, nutritious, and balanced. Meals are freshly made daily - never pre-packed or reheated.

Chefs know each child’s dietary needs, adapting dishes when needed. We also respect cultural and religious diets, providing vegetarian or halal options and replacing ingredients for medical, cultural, or religious reasons so every child feels included.

Mealtimes are all about the children, which means they’re carefully planned to meet their needs. We make sure mealtimes are calm, sociable, and supportive. Children sit together, enjoy chatting, and learn good eating habits in a relaxed environment.

We know that positive, healthy eating experiences help children develop good lifelong habits, so we make mealtimes something they look forward to.

Our teams encourage independence - helping younger children feed themselves and giving older children the chance to serve themselves. Mealtimes are never rushed; we want children to enjoy eating and spending time with friends.

Your peace of mind matters to us. That’s why we keep you updated every day through our Family app, sharing what your child ate and what their mealtime experience was like. For younger children or those still settling in, our nursery teams give extra detail and reassurance, and will often chat with you at collection time so you feel fully informed.

Communication builds trust, and that’s really important to us. We’re always happy to talk about food routines and answer any questions, because we want you to feel confident and supported.

Breakfast at nursery is all about starting the day with a warm welcome. It’s that lovely moment when children arrive to friendly faces, a calm setting, and a cosy, inviting atmosphere.

Our breakfast menu includes a healthy mix of options like cereals, warm porridge, or overnight oats, served with fresh fruit, yoghurt, and milk. These choices give little ones the energy and nutrients they need to kick off their morning feeling great.

When your child starts with us, we’ll take time to chat with you about the foods they’re used to eating, so we can mirror this wherever possible. We never make assumptions based on age - instead, we work closely with you to understand your child’s individual developmental needs and help them move to the next stage at a pace that feels right for them.

We offer a variety of textures and flavours to support every stage of weaning, from smooth purées to soft finger foods. always making sure mealtimes feel positive and enjoyable. We’ll never introduce foods that you haven’t already introduced at home, so you can feel confident your child is safe. Our menus are designed to help babies build confidence and develop a love for eating.