Nutrition & Meal Planning in The Early Years

Supporting healthy habits for a lifetime of learning and growth
At Nursery Rhymes & Jabberwocky Pre-school, we know that what children eat in their early years plays a vital role in their health, development and ability to learn. That’s why nutrition and meal planning are at the heart of what we do and why we treat every snack and mealtime as an opportunity to nourish little bodies and curious minds.

🌱 Why Nutrition Matters
The early years are a time of rapid growth — physically, emotionally and cognitively. A well-balanced diet supports:

• Brain development and concentration
• Immune system strength
• Emotional regulation and behaviour
• Establishing lifelong healthy habits

We believe that food should not only be nutritious, but also enjoyable. Shared mealtimes are a key part of our day — full of chatter and curiosity.

🧑‍🍳 Thoughtful Meal Planning
All our meals and snacks are planned with care, balancing variety, nutrition and the needs of growing children. We offer:

• Home-cooked meals, prepared with fresh ingredients
• Seasonal menus that change regularly to offer variety
• Vegetarian and dietary alternatives, including for allergies and cultural preferences
• Balanced plates featuring fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins

Our approach follows the Eat Well Guide guidelines and is led by best practice in early years nutrition.

🥕 Our PANCo: A Champion for Wellbeing
We are proud to have a qualified PANCo (Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator) as part of our team. This specialist role supports the health and wellbeing of every child by:

• Leading on healthy lifestyle initiatives across the setting
• Monitoring and supporting children’s nutrition and physical activity
• Offering ideas to families to continue healthy routines at home
• Keeping up-to-date with current nutritional guidance and training our team

Our PANCo works closely with staff and families to ensure each child’s dietary needs are met — while helping them build a positive relationship with food.

🍽️ Mealtimes as Moments of Learning
Mealtimes at Nursery Rhymes & Jabberwocky Pre-School are:

• Sociable — we eat together as a group, encouraging conversation and connection
• Independence-building — children are supported to serve themselves, pour drinks, and tidy up
• Mindful — staff model healthy eating and positive attitudes to food

These daily routines are rich in personal, social and emotional development and support communication and physical skills too.

💛 Working with Families
We understand that nutrition begins at home. We welcome:

• Conversations about your child’s likes, dislikes, and allergies
• Cultural preferences or family traditions around food
• Ideas and recipes from home that children may wish to share

We also support families with tips and information on lunchboxes, fussy eating and healthy routines — because we believe a consistent approach between home and nursery works best for children.