Nursery World - Analysis: Early years settings step up support for families as cost of living crisis hits

Vitamin Angels UK extends partnership with NDNA as nurseries increase food donations and other support to struggling families and members of staff. Catherine Gaunt reports

Laura Weir, manager of Rosedene nursery, Hardwick: 'We are seeing the damaging effects of the ever-growing cost-of-living crisis, so we felt it was responsible to do something to help'

With the price of food and energy rising – and inflation at a 40-year high – many early years settings are thinking about how best to support their children, families and staff.

Last week, June O’Sullivan, chief executive of LEYF, called on the Government to invest in nursery food provision to tackle food insecurity.

According to market research company Kantar, food inflation is the highest for 13 years. The Office for National Statistics said inflation as measured by the consumer prices index rose to 9.1 per cent in May, the highest since February 1982. To support young children’s nutrition, Vitamin Angels UK has expanded its partnership with the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to provide free weekly nutrient-dense supplementary food to 12 nurseries.

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