Nutrition at Monkey Puzzle
At Monkey Puzzle, we believe that healthy eating in childhood lays the foundation for a lifetime of good habits. Our approach to early childhood nutrition ensures every child enjoys balanced, freshly prepared meals that meet their childhood nutritional needs. Each dish is designed to support growth, learning, and wellbeing, with mealtimes that are a happy, sociable part of their day.
Expert-Led Nursery Menus
Our menus are created in partnership with Laura Matthews, a specialist in early years nutrition. Each menu offers a perfect balance of familiar favourites and exciting new tastes, encouraging children to explore different flavours and textures.
Every menu is designed to:
- Meet EYFS nutrition standards and DfE Early Years Nutrition Guidance
- Provide nutritionally balanced meals tailored to toddlers and preschool children
- Support healthy growth, development and wellbeing
- Introduce children to diverse, wholesome foods that broaden their childhood diet
- Accommodate all dietary requirements, including allergies and cultural preferences
Mealtime Experience
We believe every mealtime should be full of smiles and discovery. From first tastes to favourite dishes, our approach to promoting healthy eating in early years helps children learn to enjoy balanced meals in a sociable setting.
Breakfast
Breakfast
Breakfast time gives children a wholesome and nutritious start to their day, with low-sugar cereals such as Weetabix, Ready Brek, or porridge oats. We encourage children to take an active role in their mealtime by supporting them to self-serve where possible. This helps them build independence, make healthy choices, and develop important fine-motor skills. Staff are always close by to guide and assist, creating a calm, positive routine that helps children feel confident and ready for the day ahead.
Lunch
Lunch
Lunchtime provides a balanced mix of energy, protein, and vegetables to keep children sustained and support healthy development. We use a variety of flavours and textures to encourage children to try new foods and build confidence, helping them develop positive, adventurous eating habits. Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable, giving children the chance to enjoy their food and learn from one another.
Tea
Tea
A healthy tea helps children refuel after a busy day, with light meals made from fresh, wholesome ingredients that keep them satisfied until they get home. Nutritious puddings made with fruit, yoghurt, or oats add natural sweetness and extra nutrients, helping children enjoy a balanced, enjoyable diet. This relaxed mealtime also gives children a chance to socialise, try new foods, and develop positive eating habits.
Snacks
Snacks
We have dedicated snack times throughout the day, offering a variety of healthy options such as fruit, vegetables, dips, crackers, and oatcakes. These snacks give children energy to explore, play, and enjoy different flavours and textures while encouraging them to try new foods. Snack times also provide a relaxed opportunity for children to develop independence as they serve themselves and make choices about what they eat.
Learning About Food
We love helping children discover where their food comes from while encouraging a positive relationship with what they eat. Through fun, hands-on experiences and personalised support, children are gently encouraged to explore new flavours, textures, and ingredients. With balanced nutrition in every bite and trusted expertise behind each meal, mealtimes become a positive, joyful experience that supports childhood nutrition.
- Simple cooking and tasting activities
- Exploring colours, smells, and textures
- Learning how food supports early years nutrition and helps us grow strong and healthy
Featured Recipes
Freshly Prepared Meals
Food & Nutrition FAQ’s
Here are some of the questions we’re often asked by parents.
