Healthy Eating at our Nursery

At The Coach House Day Nursery, we believe that food is the foundation of healthy growth, happy minds, and positive lifelong habits. What children eat in their earliest years doesn’t just fill tummies, it shapes taste preferences, supports brain development, and builds the foundations for health well into adulthood.

That’s why we’ve launched a new nursery menu, co-created with our nutritional therapist Louise Mercieca of Tiny Tums Health Kick, to make every bite count.

Why Nutrition in the Early Years Matters

• In the first five years of life, children are forming taste preferences and food habits that last a lifetime.
• Every meal is a chance to support neural pathways in the brain, helping learning, concentration, and emotional wellbeing.
• Early exposure to wholesome, varied foods makes children more confident eaters later in life.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Nutrition Guidance 2025 requires nurseries to provide food and drink that is healthy, balanced, and nutritious for every child. At The Coach House Day Nursery, we go beyond compliance, our menu is designed to lead the way.

What’s New on Our Nursery Menu?

• No added sugar: We had already removed free sugars from puddings, instead using fruit and other natural ingredients to add flavour while protecting children’s brain development, oral health and palate development.
• Balanced meals every time: We’ve mixed up how we serve courses with a first or second course option, all carefully nutritionally balanced and ensuring that food behaviours and habits are healthy (i.e. not always expecting a pudding or sweet food after a main).
• Hidden veggies, visible benefits: Sauces, soups, and our bakes are packed with blended vegetables, helping children enjoy variety without fuss.
• Protein & Pulses: Lean proteins, pulses, and beans are included regularly for steady energy, protein, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals.

Every dish on the menu has been designed to support child health and development.

Expert Guidance

We’ve worked with Louise Mercieca, Nutritional Therapist, to shape recipes that:

• Encourage healthy brain development
• Support immunity during seasonal changes
• Reduce risk of tooth decay by lowering sugar exposure
• Help children form positive food relationships

Watch our Q&A video (above) with Louise and Sam Handley, our Head Chef, where they share the thinking behind our recipes and tips for families at home.

Nutrition Support for Families

Healthy eating doesn’t stop at nursery, we love supporting families at home too. Explore our simple, family-friendly recipes, starting with our favourite ‘Super Sauce’ made by families in their own kitchens.

Be sure to look out for our seasonal children’s healthy eating competitions.

To explore further, take a look at our latest blog: Seasonal Nutrition & Immunity Boost for Children and Why We’ve Gone Sugar-Free.

Our Commitment

Healthy eating isn’t an add-on at The Coach House Day Nursery, it’s part of our DNA. From breakfast to afternoon snack, every bite supports children’s growth, development, and happiness.

Because when we get nutrition right in the early years, we’re not just nourishing children for today, we are shaping the health of a generation.