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by Jess Gibson

The Early Years Alliance has today launched its tailored Nutrition Support Programme for early years providers, with free nutrition resources and training events available.  

The programme aims to empower early years providers with the knowledge, training and resources required to ensure children within their settings are offered nutritious food that’s appealing. It also seeks to engage children in learning about the importance of a healthy diet at the pivotal age of exploring their independence.  

Three levels of expert advice and support  

A team of qualified early years dieticians and nutritionists at the Alliance work alongside setting managers, educators and cooks to produce tailored advice and support across a range of topics – including menu reviews and allergens advice, among others. 

The programme is split into the following three levels to provide bespoke support to settings that best suits their needs: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• First Steps Package – provides 10 hours of support to guide improvements in food provision  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• Quality Mark Package – provides 22 hours of support to achieve our detailed, assessed award, enabling settings to exceed EYFS requirements  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

• Premium Package – provides 40 hours of comprehensive support across all aspects of healthy eating and good hydration &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

All providers who will receive a free 30-minute taster support session. 

Free nutrition resources for early years providers &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

The Alliance is celebrating the launch of the Nutrition Support Programme by releasing on nutrition and healthy eating in the early years. It features a range of support and information, including menu advice, guidance on creating healthy habits, and a range of food activity ideas. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

From October 2023, the Alliance will also be running a series of free, virtual Connect events on the importance of nutrition in early years settings. The sessions will look at topics such as creating a positive mealtime environment, dietary requirements and hydration, among others.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

The hour-long first session – Thursday 5 October from 6.30pm – will focus on planning balanced menus for children in the early years, ensuring providers meet national recommended nutrition guidelines while gaining confidence in planning healthy menus for children.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± can sign up for the free event on .&²Ô²ú²õ±è; 

Michael Freeston, director of quality improvement at the Alliance, said: “We are proud to offer early years providers a comprehensive package of nutrition support, tailored to each setting’s individual needs.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

“Ranging from menu reviews, allergen advice and food avoidance support to webinars and parent-focused sessions, the Nutrition Support Programme will equip educators, managers and setting chefs with a variety of extensive, interactive guidance from expert dieticians and nutritionists who possess in-depth knowledge and experience of early years nutrition. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;

“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."