We provide your children with healthy and nutritious meals in an environment that supports healthy relationships with food.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here's a 2-minute explainer video that highlights key features and benefits of the Thoughtful Food Programme.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.