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by Jess Gibson

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance on early years nutrition, which will come into effect in September 2025.  

The new guidance will replace the current ‘Example menus for early years settings in England’ guidance and apply to group- and school-based early years providers, childminding professionals and wraparound provision. 

It is intended to support providers to understand how to implement the existing EYFS requirement, which states that any meals, snacks and drinks provided to children “must be healthy, balanced and nutritious”.  

The DfE has confirmed that providers will be required to “have regard to” the new nutrition guidance from September 2025, meaning they must take it into account and should follow it unless there is good reason not to.  

The guidance covers a range of topics, including:  

• Nutrition from birth to one year, including breastfeeding, infant formula and weaning  

• Portion sizes  

• Menu planning  

• Communication with parents and carers  

• Food safety and hygiene, including for food brought in from home  

• Cost-effective healthy food  

• Allergies and intolerances  

• Food for religious faiths and beliefs  

• Children with additional support needs and other special diets  

You can read the full guidance . 

The Alliance will be shortly expanding the early years nutrition support services we offer to early years settings, with brand new resources and materials including comprehensive resource packs, a menu and recipe development service, and support for packed lunches and other food from home. 

If you would like to be among the first to find out more about the new services once launched, fill out our quick-and-easy form here: .