A truly nutritional start

Our approach prioritises flavour and function. Every dish is thoughtfully balanced and prepared fresh on site by our talented nursery cooks under the guidance of our Award-Winning Catering Manager. This means meals are not only delicious, but packed with the nutrients children need to stay energised and ready to learn throughout the day., from breakfast through to lunch and a yummy light tea.

Superior local and UK sourced ingredients

We hold ourselves to standards well above the minimum early years nutrition guidelines. We:

  1. Serve a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, through meals and snacks.

  2. Eliminate added salt, reduce refined sugars and use wholegrains such as wholemeal bread, pasta and brown rice.

  3. Prioritise fresh, locally sourced meats, lean proteins and free-range eggs, prepared using low-fat methods like grilling, baking, poaching or steaming.

  4. Use only unrefined sugars in homemade bakes and treats, helping support steadier energy levels.

This thoughtful ingredient strategy supports children’s long-term wellbeing and development.

We buy british for maximum food smiles – not miles!

We use British grown grains, beans and pulses to optimise nutritional value and reduce our carbon footprint.

Locally grown ingredients are often harvested closer to their peak, helping retain more natural nutrients such as fibre, plant protein, vitamins and minerals. Because they travel fewer miles from farm to kitchen, they require less transport and refrigeration, which helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and supports local farmers.

Coupled with our local butchers, eggs and British milk deliveries you couldn’t get more locally sourced.

A whole world of flavours

Developing a love of global dishes

Our 16-day rolling menu ensures children experience a wide and varied selection of meals, no matter which days they attend nursery. From Italian and Greek to Korean and Japanese influences, our globally inspired dishes introduce new tastes in a familiar and inclusive way. This exposure supports adventurous eating and cultural curiosity.

Dietary needs and inclusive mealtime experiences

We take allergies and dietary requirements seriously. Clear allergy information is displayed throughout the nursery, and personalised meal options are designed so children with intolerances or alternative diets feel just as excited about their food as their peers.

To further support this, we use named red plates for children with allergies or dietary restrictions, making it easy for everyone to identify which meals are suitable for each child. For those with intolerances, we strive to provide dishes that closely resemble what their peers are enjoying, ensuring that they do not feel left out.

Additionally, we offer oat or soy milk as alternatives to dairy, and we prioritise the use of organic dairy products.

Our commitment to high standards…

We only use unrefined sugars in our homemade baked goods and cakes
A minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables served throughout each day
No added salt & reduced sugar cereals ~ Wholegrain breads, pasta and rice
We only use fresh locally sourced meat and free-range eggs
All dairy free, vegan, and allergy-specific diets catered for
Low saturated fats, lean meats and fish which we either grill, bake, poach or steam
Exciting themed days with cooking activities across all our age groups
All food is prepared in-house by our passionate cooks
We use organic sunflower or coconut oil in our baking because non organic oils are overly processed

Your child’s nutritional experience at The DEN Nursery Group is intentional, evidence-led and designed for lifelong impact.

The DEN Nursery bears playing in the forest school