Nursery food: new guidelines
Children’s Minister Sarah Teather says the Government is asking the School Food Trust to draw up new nutritional guidelines for nurseries and children’s centres.
Speaking at the Food For Life Programme conference today, Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said the Government is asking the School Food Trust to draw up new nutritional guidelines for nurseries and children’s centres. Responding to calls from childcare providers, parents and nutritional experts for clearer information, the voluntary guidelines are being brought in to help children develop healthy eating habits early on and fight obesity.
Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said:
Getting children to eat healthy food early on is vital. Quite rightly, parents don’t want their child being fed junk food - and nurseries play a key role in developing good eating habits.
Many providers have been calling out for clearer information on what food to serve - so I’m glad that, with the School Food Trust, we will be able to develop advice on the best healthy and nutritious food for young children. It’s a great way of helping every child get the best start in life.
Background:
The action is set out in the remit letter for the School Food Trust, which is available on this page.
The SFT will use its expertise in nutrition to draw up the new guidance, provide advice to nurseries and create a voluntary code of practice. The SFT will also monitor the take up of the new standards and how it impacts on children’s health and well being.
In her review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, Dame Clare Tickell recommended that the Government act on the report from Advisory Panel for Food and Nutrition in the Early Years which showed both the benefits and demand for clear guidance.
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