There’s a big change coming this September, and it’s all about making sure little ones are enjoying meals that are not only tasty but truly nourishing.

The Department for Education is bringing in new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition guidance for 2025. It’s clearer, more practical, and designed to make sure that every snack, drink and meal in early years settings is healthy, balanced and packed with goodness.

At Nursery Kitchen, we’re ready for it and if you join our family of nursery partners, you will be too.

What’s changing and why it’s great news

You might have seen the new guidance and thought, “What does this actually mean for our nursery?” You’re not alone. For years, “healthy, balanced and nutritious” was open to interpretation, but now there’s an actual guide.

The new EYFS nutrition guidance covers:

• Infant feeding and introducing solid foods
• Foods to include, limit or avoid at each meal or snack
• Portion sizes and label reading
• Safe food preparation and choking risk reduction
• Menu planning ideas and variety across the week
• Meeting dietary needs for allergies, intolerances, SEND and cultural or religious requirements
• Budget-friendly tips for healthy food provision
• Resources for engaging parents and families in your food approach

It’s a brilliant step forward, recognising that the food we serve plays a big role in children’s health, development and their learning. And we’re all for it!

Already a Nursery Kitchen partner? You’re sorted.

If you’re already using our sample menu, here’s some lovely news, you don’t need to change a thing. Our Early Years Nutritionist and Development Chef have worked hand in hand to create meals and design a complete menu that already meets (and often exceeds) the new early years nutrition guidance.

That means:

• Meals with the right balance of food groups
• Dishes low in salt, sugar and saturated fat
• 5-a-day, every day
• At least 40 plant points per week
• Oily fish every 3 weeks
• Variety of wholegrains
• Meals to meet special dietary needs
• MSC-certified sustainable fish

Would your nursery like to be all sorted too?

Become a partner today

By joining Nursery Kitchen and following our sample menu, you’ll be offering the best to your children and ticking all the guidance boxes.

Prefer a bit more flexibility? Our Menu Accreditation can help

If you’d like to build your own menu using our nutritious meals and snacks to suit your nursery’s own routine, that’s absolutely fine, and you can do this as a partner too. However, with flexibility comes the need for a little double-checking.

That’s where our Nutritionist Approved Menu Accreditation Service comes in.

Through this, our in-house nutritionist will carefully analyse your full menus (regardless of how much you buy from Nursery Kitchen) against our Mighty Menu Checklist, which is fully aligned with the new EYFS nutrition guidance.

With our Menu Accreditation, you’ll get:

• A clear sign your menus are not just compliant, but shining examples of best practice
• Confidence during inspections
• Reassurance for parents that you’re going above and beyond in food provision

It’s a brilliant way to show leadership in early years nutrition, and it’s available exclusively to our partners.

Find out more

We’re here to help you get ready

We know how much care goes into feeding little ones well, and we also know that keeping up with new guidance can feel like a lot.

That’s why we’re here.

As a Nursery Kitchen partner, you’ll have expert support at your fingertips. Whether you’re following our full menu or building your own with our meals, we’ll help make sure your food offering is something to feel proud of.

As September gets closer, here’s what you can count on with Nursery Kitchen:

• You’ll be offering meals that meet the new EYFS nutrition guidance
• You’ll have the chance to get your menus fully accredited
• You’ll be part of a community that’s passionate about helping children thrive

So, if you’re not a Nursery Kitchen partner yet… come and join us at the table. It’s the easiest (and yummiest!) way to stay compliant, give parents peace of mind and serve up meals that make a real difference.

Let’s give children a healthy start – together.

Would like to find out more about becoming a Nursery Kitchen partner?

We’d love to hear from you