A cross-party report calls for free school meals to be extended to children in early years settings.

Early Years Nutrition: Setting the Standards for Change, a report by the Cross-Party Group on A Fit and Healthy Childhood, warns that poor nutrition in babies and toddlers is fuelling a future public health crisis, and calls on the government to act now.

The report, sponsored by Nursery Kitchen, recommends the extension of free school meals (FSM) to children in early years settings.

It also calls for improved access to training and resources for early years staff to help implement new Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance, which settings must follow from September.

It futher recommends a consistent, practical system to monitor and assess adherence to nutrition standards in early years settings, mandatory oral health training for early years educators and healthcare professionals, and national roll-out of the government’s supervised tooth-brushing programme.

The report was launched at a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons, sponsored by MP Anna Sabine.

Jonathan Player, managing director of Nursery Kitchen said: “The government has made welcome commitments on school food, but for a better, more resilient generation, we must start earlier. Without a strong, nutritional foundation in the early years, later interventions won’t be enough.” 

He added: “This report gives us the tools, and the pressure to push for significant investment, practical solutions, and policy that works. This could be a turning point for children’s life-long health and wellbeing, if government chooses to take it.”

Sabine, Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, said: “It is really encouraging that there is now wide recognition of the impact and importance of providing an excellent standard of nutrition right from the outset in every setting and for every child. This report is aimed to support parents and early years professionals in guiding all children towards life-long health and well being. For policy-makers, it is an opportunity to turn ambition into policy.”