CLICK HERE FOR PARENTS LOGIN AREA

First Friends Day Nursery
  • Home
  • Nurseries
    • Denmead
    • Basingstoke
    • Barford St Martin
    • Eastleigh
    • Alton
  • Why Choose Us
    • Our Premium Package
    • Funded Childcare
    • Thoughtful Food Programme
    • Movement & Mindfulness
    • Earth Explorers Programme
    • Makaton
    • Children with SEN
    • Room Aesthetics
    • Safety and Security
    • Communication
    • Policies & Procedures
    • Events
  • Enrol
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Values
    • Leadership Team
    • Careers
    • Flex Force
    • News
  • Contact
  • Family Hub
    • Wootey, Alton Family Page
    • Denmead Family Page
    • BSM Family Page
    • Eastleigh Family Page
    • Basingstoke Family Page
    • Welcome to New Families
  • More
    • Home
    • Nurseries
      • Denmead
      • Basingstoke
      • Barford St Martin
      • Eastleigh
      • Alton
    • Why Choose Us
      • Our Premium Package
      • Funded Childcare
      • Thoughtful Food Programme
      • Movement & Mindfulness
      • Earth Explorers Programme
      • Makaton
      • Children with SEN
      • Room Aesthetics
      • Safety and Security
      • Communication
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Events
    • Enrol
    • About
      • Our Story
      • Our Values
      • Leadership Team
      • Careers
      • Flex Force
      • News
    • Contact
    • Family Hub
      • Wootey, Alton Family Page
      • Denmead Family Page
      • BSM Family Page
      • Eastleigh Family Page
      • Basingstoke Family Page
      • Welcome to New Families
First Friends Day Nursery
  • Home
  • Nurseries
    • Denmead
    • Basingstoke
    • Barford St Martin
    • Eastleigh
    • Alton
  • Why Choose Us
    • Our Premium Package
    • Funded Childcare
    • Thoughtful Food Programme
    • Movement & Mindfulness
    • Earth Explorers Programme
    • Makaton
    • Children with SEN
    • Room Aesthetics
    • Safety and Security
    • Communication
    • Policies & Procedures
    • Events
  • Enrol
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Values
    • Leadership Team
    • Careers
    • Flex Force
    • News
  • Contact
  • Family Hub
    • Wootey, Alton Family Page
    • Denmead Family Page
    • BSM Family Page
    • Eastleigh Family Page
    • Basingstoke Family Page
    • Welcome to New Families
Supporting healthy relationships with food

Thoughtful Food Programme

We provide your children with healthy and nutritious meals in an environment that supports healthy relationships with food.  

It's not just about the food we serve...

At First Friends Nursery, food is so much more than what’s on the plate — it’s an opportunity to nurture lifelong healthy habits. 


Our Thoughtful Food Programme is designed to help children understand the importance of good nutrition, develop independence, and build a positive relationship with food from a young age.


We involve children in every stage of the food journey — from planting and growing vegetables in our garden, to helping prepare meals in our nursery kitchen.


Through regular cooking activities and self-serving mealtimes, children are encouraged to explore different ingredients, make choices, and develop independence. These hands-on experiences not only promote healthy eating but also build confidence and curiosity.


Our aim is to empower children to make informed food choices and to enjoy nutritious, balanced meals in a calm, sociable setting. Because healthy habits start early, and we’re proud to help shape them.

Recent photos of children enjoying our Thoughtful Food Programme

Our Menus - Spring/Summer 2025 - served from 25 March 2025

Download PDF
Download PDF
Download PDF

Our routine for eating

Morning

Breakfast Bar

8am-9am

Children have the opportunity to freely choose what they wish to have for breakfast. All of our nurseries operate a ‘breakfast bar’ approach from our Thoughtful Food Programme. Cereal selection, fruit and a carbohydrate option available. 

Morning Snack

10am-11am

Our children are offered a variety of different items from our Thoughtful Food Programme. All items are aimed to be balanced and nutritious, giving children the opportunity to explore new foods, tastes and textures to provide them with fuel to learn and play. Children are involved in the preparation of snack too. 

*timings vary from setting to setting. 


Lunch

Lunch time

12 noon

Hot cooked meal is provided from our Thoughtful Food Menus that are on a 3 weekly and seasonal rotation. 


* Lunchtime at our Basingstoke Nursery is packed lunches served at 12.15pm.


Afternoon

Afternoon Snack

2pm

Our children are offered a variety of different items from our Thoughtful Food Programme. All items are aimed to be balanced and nutritious, giving children the opportunity to explore new foods, tastes and textures to provide them with fuel to learn and play. Children are involved in the preparation of snack too. 

*timings vary from setting to setting. 

* Basingstoke do not have afternoon snack due to their session times. 

Tea Time

4pm

Our tea times feature a selection of nutritious, balanced, and delicious options from our carefully crafted nursery menus. They are designed to provide a substantial snack that boosts energy and keeps children satisfied until dinner time.

While our teas are more substantial than a typical snack, some children may still require a light snack when they get home to keep their energy levels steady until their evening meal. 

Our Thoughtful Food Programme explained....

Here's a 2-minute explainer video that highlights key features and benefits of the Thoughtful Food Programme. 

Why are we shouting about our menus? Here's why:

Limited Added Sugar

Promoting Sustainability

Limited Added Sugar

 Our menus are created with this in mind, so you can be sure that your child is not consuming excessive amounts of sugar,  which can be harmful to their health.

Seasonal Produce

Promoting Sustainability

Limited Added Sugar

 We use seasonal produce in our meals where we can.  


As a minimum, we encourage our nurseries to purchase at least one seasonal item each week to be added to our meals, provided alongside or as a snack for our children to taste and try.

Promoting Sustainability

Promoting Sustainability

Promoting Sustainability

Our menus are designed to promote sustainability by using eco-friendly ingredients, reducing food waste whenever possible and reflecting on our carbon footprint from where our shopping is delivered from.


We have introduced food waste buckets and compost bins in our settings, as well as working towards achieving awards in sustainable practices.

Energy to learn & grow

Energy to learn & grow

Promoting Sustainability

Our menus are created to give your child the energy they need to stay active, engaged, and ready to learn. 


Our Nursery chefs and Educators are trained in nutrition to ensure they have the essential knowledge.

Meat Free Days

Energy to learn & grow

Dietary Requirements

Meat-free days introduce

children to a diverse range of food which are rich in essential nutrients, this variety contributes to their overall health by providing vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Research suggests a diet that includes meat-free days can also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions.


Dietary Requirements

Energy to learn & grow

Dietary Requirements

We take the dietary needs of our children seriously. 


We accommodate a diverse range of dietary requirements, including allergies, intolerances, religious considerations, and individual preferences.


Be warned, content may make you hungry :-)

Download PDF

Copyright © 2025-2026 First Friends Ltd.  All Rights Reserved.  Company number: 06952385

Powered by

  • Home
  • Website T&Cs
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • FAQs
  • Employee Nomination

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept