This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Early Years Advisory Teacher, Karen Loft, for the attention of all Early Years and Childcare Practitioners.
The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance on early years nutrition, which will come into effect in September 2025.
The new guidance, which will replace the current ‘Example menus for early years settings in England’ guidance, is intended to support providers to understand how to implement the existing EYFS requirement which states: “Where children are provided with meals, snacks and drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious”. It will apply to group- and school-based early years providers, childminding professionals and wraparound provision.
The DfE has confirmed that providers will be required to “have regard to” the new nutrition guidance from September 2025, meaning they must take it into account and should follow it unless there is good reason not to.
The guidance covers a range of topics, including:
- Guidance on nutrition from birth to one year, including breastfeeding, infant formula and weaning
- Portion sizes
- Menu planning
- Communication with parents and carers
- Food safety and hygiene, including for food brought in from home
- Cost-effective healthy food
- Allergies and intolerances
- Food for religious faiths and beliefs
- Children with additional support needs and other special diets
You can read the full guidance here.
