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Really excellent’ practices were observed at the setting during the judge’s visit. All staff were observed to be invested in the nursery’s food culture and passionate about it. They firmly believe that children deserve the opportunity to explore new flavours and benefit from well-balanced meals throughout the day, ensuring all four food groups are included at every opportunity.
The nursery chefs are very creative and work hard to ensure the menus are well planned, varied and seasonal. They include a range of cultural dishes, from Korean, Greek, Italian and Indian dishes to Japanese delicacies. The 16-day rolling menu ensures everyone experiences all dishes, regardless of the days they attend, and are introduced to ingredients such as kimchi, tempeh and kachumber. This exposure to diverse flavours and traditions broadens the children’s horizons, providing a unique learning experience.
Parents are asked for their meal suggestions, and vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal. For those with intolerances, chefs provide dishes that closely resemble what their peers are enjoying, ensuring no-one feels left out. Oat or soy milk are offered as alternatives to dairy and the nursery only uses organic dairy products.
The nursery aims to go beyond the Early Years Guidelines at every meal. They avoid processed foods and, instead, the chefs make many of their own foods from scratch, including crackers, bread and puddings. A core principle is to prioritise the use of unrefined sugars in baking, and chefs have eliminated added salt from food and incorporate reduced-sugar cereals, wholegrain breads, pasta and rice. Meat is locally sourced and fresh, and they are committed to using low-saturated fats. Lean meats and fish are grilled, baked, poached or steamed.
Mealtimes and snacks are regarded as more than just a time for nourishment – they are vibrant, social experiences that foster inclusivity, engagement and enjoyment for all children. These moments provide valuable opportunities for children to come together, socialise and build meaningful relationships.
The judge observed that mealtimes were well organised and the staff had excellent engagement with the children. She was impressed with the conversations during mealtime, for example, staff asked children what foods they could identify, where certain foods came from and why they are good for us. A practitioner also adapted the question she was asking to ensure it was inclusive for a child who had an allergy and used this as an opportunity to sensitively teach children about food allergies. Children also have amazing opportunities to learn about food, from growing and harvesting to cooking.
FINALISTS
Atelier Nursery – Chippenham, Wiltshire
Harpole Day Nursery, Part of The Old Station Nursery Group– Harpole, Northamptonshire
Willow Tree Day Nursery, Part of the Elmscot Group – Sale, Greater Manchester
Woodlands Day Nursery, Part of the Elmscot Group – Timperley, Greater Manchester
CRITERION
Open to early years settings, which can be part of a group, whose approach to and provision of food promotes children’s health and wellbeing.
