Co-op Childcare is introducing a health and well being programme to teach young children about healthy eating and food provenance.
The initiative is a response to a survey by Co-op Childcare, which found that 98% of parents want their children to understand more about where food comes from.
The research revealed that a nutritionally balanced menu is second only to Ofsted ratings when it comes to priorities in choosing a nursery.
Co-op Childcare says it has put nutritionally balanced, traceable menus in place across all 44 of its nurseries; it developed these with child health charity Startwell.
The survey also asked what food people would like to see on the menu, and the development team took into account the preferences of parents, children and colleagues.
In addition, nurseries received a pack from plant nursery Rocket Gardens, which means children can interact with nature by planting, tending, picking, and maintaining the plants and learn the food journey from earth to plate.
Co-op Childcare is also facilitating specialist nutritional training for nursery staff and chefs to ensure colleagues can give parents advice on nutrition, and chefs can apply their training to new recipes.
The new menus will be delivered by food wholesaler Brakes, whose accreditations guarantee the high quality of its food, and ensure all meat and fresh produce is fully traceable to the supplier.
Rachael Escott, sales and marketing manager at Co-op Childcare, which forms part of Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We know that children who understand where food comes from are much more likely to have a positive relationship with healthy eating, so it makes sense to start education around this topic early. Many healthy eating programmes start a school age, but we want to encourage good food habits from a much younger age.
“We’ve been working closely with parents, colleagues, and children, to make sure we help the little ones in our care lead the healthiest lives they can.”
The initiative has been endorsed by health writer and broadcaster Dr Hilary Jones, who said: “Co-op Childcare has committed to delivering healthy, wholesome, varied meals to ensure all the children in its nurseries are getting all the nutrients they need, and the education to understand why nutrition is important.
“With this strong foundation, they can continue on to grow, learn, and flourish and maintain a lifelong, positive relationship with food.”
