Nutrition Guidelines

Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins including vitamin A and C, minerals such as zinc and iron, and dietary fibre.

All our meals contain at least a portion of vegetable and/or fruit, which should roughly fit into the palm of a child’s hand.

This group includes bread, potatoes, sweet potatoes, starchy root vegetables, pasta, noodles, rice, other grains, and breakfast cereals.

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy, fibre, B vitamins, and iron. For children over two, four portions a day are recommended. We provide a portion at each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and tea) as well as at least one daily snack.

Protein is essential for a number of important functions including growth, brain development and the maintenance of strong, healthy bones. Food from this group provides iron, zinc and essential amino acids.

Dairy foods including milk, yoghurt, cheese and dairy alternatives (such as soya products) are an essential source of calcium, iodine and vitamins A, D and B12 in a child’s diet.

We serve at least 3 portions of dairy products (or dairy alternatives) every day, with milk accompanying every breakfast and snack.

Fats such as butter, spreads, and oils add flavour, texture, and enjoyment to food, while also providing a concentrated source of energy. For young children, especially under twos, some fat in the diet is essential to support healthy growth and active play.

That said, balance is key. While fats are important, too much can contribute to unnecessary weight gain, so we ensure portions are carefully managed as part of a healthy, varied diet.

Sweet foods such as cakes, biscuits, pastries, desserts, and soft drinks can be enjoyed occasionally as part of a balanced diet, particularly for very active children. However, eating too many processed foods high in added sugar, fat, and salt can have a negative impact on long-term health and is linked to higher rates of childhood obesity.

At Bright Horizons, we never add salt or sugar when preparing meals for young children. Instead, our chefs create flavourful dishes using a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and mild spices. To finish mealtimes on a positive note, children enjoy a daily dessert or pudding made with wholesome ingredients such as cereals, milk, and fruit.

Ingredients are uploaded into Nutritics, ensuring we have the most up-to-date data on nutrition and allergens.

Chefs use this insight to design recipes in line with government recommendations, including the Action for Children guidance.

Recipes are stored within the system, making it easy to share popular dishes with parents who’d like to try them at home.

For children with specific requirements, Nutritics allows us to remove restricted foods, add suitable alternatives, and instantly see the nutritional impact of those changes, ensuring meals remain safe, balanced, and enjoyable.

Our in-house food team and nursery chefs create all our menus from scratch. Each recipe is checked to make sure it’s balanced, nutritious, and tasty. We plan meals across the day, the week, and our three-week menu cycle.

We follow Early Years nutrition guidelines from the Department for Education and Public Health to ensure little tummies get all the energy and nutrients they need. We also love variety, introducing lots of flavours and textures to help children become confident, curious eaters.

We never add salt or refined sugar when preparing meals for our children, because their health and wellbeing are always our priority. Instead, we serve healthy desserts made with vegetables and fruit, gently flavoured with mild spices to make them tasty and exciting - without compromising on nutrition.

We use fresh, high-quality, local ingredients and choose what’s in season to keep meals exciting and introduce new flavours. This means children enjoy food that’s nutritious, tasty, and varied.

Young children grow fast, and that means they need more energy and nutrients packed into every bite than adults do. That’s why our snacks are specially designed to give them just what they need.

We keep our snacks varied and exciting with a rotating mix of fresh fruit and veggies, wholesome options like homemade dips and crackers, and fibre-rich breads like pitta fingers. You might even spot tasty baked treats like vegetable pakoras on the menu!

Every snack is carefully planned to deliver the right balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fibre. We believe children’s diets should be full of variety, with plenty of flavours and textures to explore, and our snack selection is built to help them do just that.

Your peace of mind matters to us. That’s why we keep you updated every day through our Famly 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.

In our baby rooms, we use dining tables and highchairs - just like little ones have at home. That’s no accident. Familiar surroundings help babies feel safe and secure, so we’ve created a space that mirrors what they know. Sitting together at the table isn’t just comforting - it’s also a lovely way for them to enjoy social time and start building those all-important self-feeding skills in a relaxed, family-style setting.

As they grow and their motor skills improve, we gently build on those routines. Children start getting more involved, maybe helping to set the table or trying out self-serving. It’s all about encouraging their independence and boosting their confidence, one mealtime at a time.

Your baby’s comfort and feeding routine are really important to us. We fully support families who choose to breastfeed - whether that means providing expressed milk or welcoming you into the nursery to feed your baby on site in a comfortable, private space. feed your baby in person. We follow NHS and Public Health Scotland guidance for the safe storage and handling of expressed breast milk.

Our team will work closely with you to make sure your baby’s feeding routine is followed safely and naturally, whether you’re breastfeeding, using expressed milk, or formula feeding, supporting families for as long as they wish.