The Early Years Alliance (EYA) has launched a programme offering nursery managers bespoke advice and support from expert dieticians and nutritionists.  

The Nutrition Support Programme aims to empower early years providers to offer nutritious and engaging food, while supporting children to learn about the importance of a healthy diet.  

The EYA’s team of qualified dieticians and nutritionists, with experience of supporting children in the early years, will work with setting managers, educators and cooks on a range of topics including menu reviews and allergens advice.  

The programme offers three levels of  support, ranging from 10 to 40 hours. Providers who register their interest will receive a free 30-minute taster support session. 

The EYA has also launched a free resource pack on nutrition and healthy eating in the early years, including menu advice, guidance on creating healthy habits and food activity ideas.  

From October 2023, the EYA will be running a series of free virtual Alliance Connect events on the importance of nutrition in early years settings. The sessions will cover a range of topics including creating a positive mealtime environment, dietary requirements and hydration.  The first session, covering planning balanced menus for children in the early years, will take place Thursday 5 October.

Michael Freeston, director of quality improvement at the EYA, said: “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 and interactive guidance from expert dieticians and nutritionists with an in-depth knowledge and experience of early years nutrition.”