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Does menu developement give you a headache?

Building a menu for an early years setting is not an easy task!  Most nurseries I talk to really (really) don’t like this job. Probably has something to do with menu development being an add-on to a very busy role and not necessarily an area of expertise.

It takes a lot to build an early years menu

  • Children have got to eat it 

  • Chefs have got to feel comfortable with workload 

  • Parents have to be happy 

  • Costs have to be within budget

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Not to mention the vital fact that EVERYTHING on an early years menu should be there for one main reason – to support early childhood development.

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The early years menu is one of the most important pieces of paper in a setting, let’s give it the thought, care and attention it deserves.

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed with menus, take a look at what I do.

Tiny Tums Tammy Tomato

  • Linking every food to early childhood development

  • Ensure compliant with early years nutrient frameworks

  • Work with Chef/Cook to ensure kitchen workload manageable

  • Making sure your menu is packed full of colour and nutrients

  • Having a suitable weaning menu

  • Ensuring strong allergen controls and nutritionally complete exclusion meals

  • Making sure your menu supports early palate development and taste preferences

  • Keeping parents happy with the menu

  • Making sure children like the food

  • Having seasonal changes without hassle

  • Menu guides for staff and parents to explain the underpinning nutritional message in the menu

How I support with early years  menu design

It takes a lot to build an early years menu

When offering any foods to early years children we should always be able to link back to one or more of these areas to show how the food supports their development – nothing should be on your menu if it isn’t supporting these areas

Click on the characters to find out more.

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Try out my recipes

Try out one of my recipes

This recipe has loads of colourful veg in to support early childhood development and is super easy to blend in to a load of different dishes!

My reviews

“Louise has helped us with both our summer and Autumn menu preparation, Louise has helped to give underpinning guidance to ensure that staff fully informed. She's given us many fantastic ideas and all these ideas have factual evidence to prove and answer many people's "WHY" questions. She's also gone above and beyond in a short time scale, we can't wait for the next menu launch, Louise!”

Sam Handley, Head Chef Family First Day Nurseries

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