This week, I had the huge honour of attending a Parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, hosted by the wonderful team at The Nursery Kitchen, to celebrate the publication of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Group (CPPG) report: Early Years Nutrition – Setting the Standards for Change.
The setting was grand, the atmosphere inspiring, and the message loud and clear: we need to do better for our youngest children when it comes to food. From tackling ultra-processed meals to making sure every child gets a strong start in life through proper nutrition, the report outlines a clear and important path forward.
Doesn’t it seem bonkers that we have regulatory bodies inspecting pretty much every area of nursery life (quality, SEN, H&S, Environmental Health) but no one actually checking the quality of the food on offer?
What made the visit to Parliament even more exciting was the realisation that, without even waiting for the policy change – we’re already doing it at Polka Dot Farm.
At Polka Dot Farm:
- All meals are cooked from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- We don’t use jars, packets, or ultra processed foods when we can make the food from scratch ourselves.
- There’s no added sugar or sweet treats just real, balanced food made with care by our team of in house chefs.
- Our team works hard to make mealtimes a positive, happy, and healthy experience for every child.
We believe good nutrition isn’t a “nice-to-have” – it’s a non-negotiable part of giving children the best start in life. To see this now being backed by research and championed at a national level is incredibly encouraging.
It was also brilliant to meet others who share this mission – from childcare professionals to MPs and policymakers. Everyone is determined to raise the bar for early years food provision.
Huge thanks again to The Nursery Kitchen for hosting and to the CPPG for shining a spotlight on this crucial issue. Change is coming and we’re proud to already be part of it.
