National survey of food in nurseries show none meeting guidelines

16 April 2010

A survey of over 100 nurseries across the UK has shown that nursery staff are confused by the range of information available on healthy eating for young children. Of the 118 nurseries taking part in the survey, none were fully meeting guidelines on what and how much children should be fed, despite best intentions.

The survey, conducted by LACORS, the body responsible for overseeing local council regulation, took place over two years and highlighted a range of problems including excessive levels of salt, inappropriate portion sizes and shortages of key energy sources.

Chairman of LACORS, Cllr Paul Bettison, said:

"Knowledge is the missing ingredient when it comes to making sure our children start their lives in the best possible health. This is why it is now necessary to provide simple, practical guidance so childcare workers can be more successful in offering the right mix of food, and to help parents understand what a good diet for a small child will look like.”

We don't think the report's recommendations go far enough. We want to see:

* Clear rules for the quality of food served in all nurseries so that every child gets the healthy start in life they need, whether their nursery is run as a private business or is state-maintained.

* Parents’ needs addressed: more than nine out of ten parents of nursery children want to see foods high in salt, fat and sugar and additives linked to behavioural problems banned in nurseries. These foods are already forbidden or restricted in schools.

*Training in nutrition and cookery for nursery cooks and care staff, and  support and guidance for families to encourage good food habits at home.

* The careful introduction of standards for nursery food. The school food standards took several years of preparation to put in place and we know that nurseries and families need time to make the changes that will secure the lasting health and wellbeing of our next generation.

See the Better Nursery Food Now campaign's full response on the Soil Association website and the full results of LACORS survey.