Liverpool Nursery Nutrition (Phase 2)

*HM Partnerships were delighted to receive recognition for this work programme from the Bupa Foundation and win acclaim in the form of their  ’Healthy Lives Prize 2011.*

 View our video produced for the Healthy Lives 2011 Prize here

Conclusions from Phase 1 Nursery review were reported back to Liverpool First for Health and Wellbeing Partnership in a formal report. Whilst results of this research show Liverpool nursery settings as being broadly comparable to similar local authority areas, the report demonstrates that nurseries require significant additional support on healthy eating at a policy, knowledge and training level. This support should help address concerns relating to menu planning and type of food provision, in order to bring Liverpool nurseries up to a level which meets current Caroline Walker Trust guidelines for food provision for under 5s.

To help and support nurseries in improving the nutritional quality of the food served to children in their care and increase their knowledge of the contribution they make to improve the diets of these children there is a need to provide accurate, up to date knowledge, training and resources. A training package and number of resources were designed and tailored to meet the needs of the nursery settings and those working to support nutrition within the city.

The training programme was a level 2 accredited course entitled ‘Food and Nutrition in Early Years’, this was developed and delivered by Liverpool John Moores University to specifications set by HM Partnerships. Both cooks and managers were invited to attend from all nursery settings across the city, enabling them to increase their knowledge and skills in early years nutrition. Almost 100 nursery staff were trained by the initiative in phase 2. Nurseries taking part also received resources which comprised of a nutritionally compliant 3 week menu plan, a standardised food policy and CHEW* food photo cards.

A formal impact assessment of the project has been carried out – with nurseries reporting to have made improvements to the food provided to children within their settings as a result of participation in this project.

Phase 2 of the Liverpool Nursery Nutrition Project was completed in March 2011.

*CHEW Children Eating Well is a resource produced by the Caroline Walker Trust