Helping new starters settle into nursery mealtimes
The first few weeks at nursery are full of new experiences. New faces, new routines, new surroundings and of course new mealtimes to get used to.
For some children, it’s straight in with a happy appetite. For others, it can take a little longer to feel comfortable with unfamiliar foods and a new mealtime routine. They might watch their new friends, stick to foods they recognise or simply explore what’s on their plate before they’re ready to take a bite.
And that’s completely normal.
There’s no rush when it comes to helping children feel comfortable with food. Small steps count too – looking, touching, smelling and tasting are all part of learning.
A little helping hand for your team
We know there’s lots to think about when welcoming new starters, so we’ve created our Helping new starters settle into nursery mealtimes guide to give your early years team a little extra support.
Inside, you’ll find simple, practical guidance to help create calm, positive mealtimes, support children as they become familiar with your menu and recognise those little steps along the way.
Ready to tuck in?
The guide is free to download when you join our happy mealtimes club – a whole helping of exclusive resources to support happier, healthier mealtimes:
