Your Baby’s First Nursery: Have You Thought About Nutrition?
Leaving your baby at nursery or with a childminder for the first time is a big step. There’s so much to think about — from settling-in sessions to naps and routines — but have you thought about the nutrition side of things?
Good nutrition is a vital part of your child’s growth and development. The foods your baby or toddler eats play a key role in supporting their health, energy, and learning. That’s why it’s so important for nurseries and parents to work closely together to make sure children get the best possible start.
Working Together on Nutrition
Early years settings follow Department for Education (DfE) guidance to provide nutritious meals and snacks. This means limiting processed foods and offering a variety from all the main food groups — starchy foods, proteins, dairy, and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
If your child brings a packed lunch, it becomes your responsibility to provide healthy options. Many nurseries share packed lunch guidance or example menus — ask for these so that you can match what the nursery provides and maintain consistency for your child.
Weaning and First Foods
Weaning is one of the biggest milestones in your baby’s first year — and it’s natural to feel a bit unsure about how and when to start.
Babies are usually ready to begin weaning at around six months, when they can sit up unaided and have good hand–eye coordination to bring food to their mouths safely.
Talk to your nursery or childminder about how they support weaning and how you can work together. It’s important that what happens at home and at nursery is consistent — whether your baby is starting with purées, soft finger foods, or a mixture of both.
Some parents use ready-made pouches for convenience, and while most settings don’t rely on these, it’s important to discuss how and when they might be used. The goal should be to work together so your baby gets variety and a positive mealtime experience.
Ask the setting:
- Do they offer time for parents to discuss weaning and share any worries?
- How can you find out how much milk your baby is likely to reduce as they take more solids?
- How do they keep you updated on what and how much your baby eats while they’re learning to try new foods?
For new parents, this stage can feel confusing — but remember, nurseries manage weaning every day. They can be a great source of reassurance and advice.
And don’t forget — families come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a dad, single parent, grandparent, or foster carer, you should feel welcome and supported to ask questions, express concerns, or share how things work at home. If there are challenging behaviours around food, or you’re worried your child might refuse to eat, the nursery should offer a safe space to talk and plan together.
Feeding: Breast or Bottle
If you’re breastfeeding, check whether the nursery offers a comfortable, private area for feeding or expressing milk.
If your baby is bottle-fed, ask about their procedures for storing, labelling, and warming bottles safely — whether expressed breast milk or formula. These small details matter and should be part of a clear, written policy.
Hydration Matters
Babies and toddlers can’t always tell when they’re thirsty, so regular drinks are essential. Most settings follow a “water and milk only” approach, avoiding sugary drinks.
Ask the nursery:
- How do they encourage children to drink throughout the day?
- Is there a hydration policy?
- Will you be told how much your child has drunk during the day?
Meal and Snack Times – More Than Just Eating
Mealtimes in nursery can be about so much more than food — they’re opportunities for learning, socialising, and fun!
Consider asking:
- Do staff eat with the children to model good habits and conversation?
- Are meals relaxed and sociable, or do they feel rushed or quiet?
- Are children encouraged to serve themselves family-style, or are plates pre-prepared?
- How are portion sizes decided — are children supported to listen to their own hunger cues?
- Are children with SEND (who may dislike noise or struggle with food textures) supported sensitively?
Whenever possible, ask to visit during a meal or snack time. Seeing how children eat and how staff interact will give you a real sense of the setting’s atmosphere and values.
Cooking, Play and Learning About Food
Nutrition shouldn’t only happen at mealtimes. Ask whether children get chances to:
- Help prepare or cook simple foods, like fruit salads or bread.
- Explore food through play, stories, and sensory experiences.
- Learn about healthy eating and oral health — for example, brushing teeth or talking about why sugary foods affect our teeth.
Making nutrition part of the daily routine helps children develop a positive relationship with food from an early age.
Allergies, Dietary Needs, Toileting and Cultural Inclusion
Every child is different, and nurseries should have clear policies for allergies, intolerances, and special diets.
Ask:
- How do they manage allergy-safe meals?
- Is there a written procedure for food substitutions and avoiding cross-contamination?
If your child has specific dietary needs — such as being vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher — check that the nursery can provide suitable meals that meet those needs. Good settings will respect cultural and ethical diets and make sure children don’t feel singled out or excluded.
If your child doesn’t speak English yet, ask how staff ensure they feel included and understood during meal and snack times.
Are visual aids, gestures, or simple signs used to help children communicate hunger, likes, and dislikes?
Some children may also have medical or developmental issues, such as constipation. Ask:
- Does the nursery understand how diet can affect digestion?
- Will they encourage your child to drink plenty and eat fibre-rich foods?
- Are staff supportive if your child finds toileting stressful — for example, do they use songs, stories, or comfort to help them feel safe and relaxed
- Is there a toileting or bowel health policy in place?
For children with SEND, or those who find certain textures or noises overwhelming, talk about what adaptations are in place — perhaps eating in a quieter space, having extra time, or being encouraged gently to try new foods without pressure.
And what about families who might be on a tighter budget? A good nursery will be understanding and supportive, offering ideas for affordable healthy meals or snacks rather than judging or criticising.
Children with English as a Second Language or Learning Difficulties
Some children may have English as an additional language (EAL) or learning difficulties that make it harder for them to understand or join in during meal and snack times.
Think about:
- How do these children communicate their needs, especially when they’re hungry or thirsty?
- How do staff communicate with them?
It’s important that these children are not overlooked in a busy environment. Assigning a ‘buddy’ system can help — another child can act as their eyes and ears, helping them feel included and supported.
Practical tips:
- Use visual clues, such as a picture of a tap with an arrow pointing to a water bottle.
- Encourage children to draw their own symbols — it’s a fun way to talk about the importance of drinking water.
- Label the drinks area with different words for “water” in the languages spoken by the children — this celebrates diversity and helps all children feel seen.
Staff should also be trained to recognise the signs of dehydration and know how to respond — for example, noticing if a child’s lips are dry, if they’re unusually tired, or haven’t urinated for some time.
Children with learning difficulties may need more time and gentle reminders, and settings should approach this with patience and understanding.
Communication Between Home and Nursery
Strong communication is key to consistency. Find out:
- How will the nursery share information about what your child has eaten — through WhatsApp, any other communication based app or a daily handover?
- How often do they update or review menus? (Most settings refresh menus seasonally to include fresh, local produce.)
- Are snacks listed in advance, so you know what your child is having each day?
Open communication helps you feel confident that your child’s nutritional needs are being met and their preferences respected.
Final Thoughts
When choosing your baby’s first nursery, don’t forget to look beyond the toys and play spaces — take a close look at the food culture too.
A good setting will treat mealtimes as valuable learning opportunities, offer nutritious foods, and work closely with you to ensure your child thrives both at home and away.