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New nutritional support programme developed for early years settings

Nutrition
A new nutritional support programme offering early years settings tailored advice and support from dieticians and nutritionists has been launched.
The Early Years Alliance has launched a new nutritional support programme for early years settings, PHOTO: EYA
The Early Years Alliance has launched a new nutritional support programme for early years settings, PHOTO: EYA

The Early Years Alliance’s new Nutrition Support Programme aims to support nurseries, pre-schools and childminders to empower them to offer nutritious and engaging food, while supporting children to learn about the importance of a healthy diet.

The programme is split into three levels of support:

  • First Steps Package: Provides 10 hours of support to guide improvements in food provision.
  • Quality Mark Package: Provides 22 hours of support to achieve the programme’s detailed assessed award.
  • Premium Package: Provides 40 hours of comprehensive support across all aspects of healthy eating and good hydration.

To mark the launch of the programme, the Alliance has launched a new free resource pack on nutrition and healthy eating in the early years. 

It will also be running a series of free virtual Connect events in the importance of nutrition in early years settings from next month. The first session, which will take place Thursday 5 October from 6.30pm - 7.30pm, will focus on planning balanced menus.

'We know that nutrition is proven to have a significant impact on a child's life chances'.

Michael Freeston, director of quality improvement at the Alliance, said, ‘The Nutrition Support Programme will equip educators, managers and setting chefs with a variety of extensive and interactive guidance from expert dieticians and nutritionists with an in-depth knowledge and experience of early years nutrition. 

‘We know that nutrition is proven to have a significant impact on a child’s short and long-term life chances, and through our Nutrition Support Programme, we hope providers will feel well-equipped to play a key role in ensuring this.’

  • To access the programme click here