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  1. Home
  2. Why Ark Start?
  3. Healthy habits

Healthy habits

Good habits begin very early, and they last a lifetime. That’s why we make sure children with us have access to a healthy and balanced diet and build the everyday skills that matter most for starting school.

Nutritious meals

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance in everything we serve, so every meal supports your child’s growth and development.

Balanced and varied

A mix of the main food groups every day, giving children the nutrients and energy they need to grow.

Plenty of fruit and veg

Colourful, seasonal and in all its variety, always included in every meal.

Low in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats

Our meals focus on natural flavours and minimally processed ingredients.

New tastes to try

We introduce different cuisines and a range of tastes and textures to encourage children to try new foods.

What’s on the menu

We offer healthy and balanced meals provided by our trusted catering partner. Our menus include nutritious versions of children’s favourite meals, served with plenty of vegetables. Children also enjoy healthy snacks during the day, such as fruit, yoghurt, hummus with vegetable sticks, and cheese and crackers.

We cater for a range of dietary requirements, including allergies, gluten-free and dairy-free diets.

Learning at the table

Staff sit with children during mealtimes, encouraging them to try a variety of foods and practise skills such as using a knife and fork. By making every meal fun and enjoyable, we often see children grow more confident with food and develop healthier eating habits. Mealtimes are also a great chance for children to build social skills, as they eat and chat with their friends.

Building healthy routines

Everyday routines like washing hands or serving their own fruit help children build the confidence and independence they’ll carry with them into school and beyond. Our staff model these habits every day, gently guiding children until they’re ready to do them on their own.

Our nurseries are screen free

We believe children learn best through rich play, exploration and connection. That’s why our nurseries are screen free, with no devices for children to access. Instead, we fill each day with hands-on activities and warm interactions with our staff that build language skills and support early development.

Rest and sleep

Good sleep is essential for children’s development. We provide cosy sleeping spaces for those that sleep and follow your child’s home routine when they join us. From there, we’ll support them to settle into a routine that works for them.

Staying active

Being physically active every day is important for toddlers and pre-schoolers to grow up healthy. We follow NHS guidance, making sure children with us get moving for at least three hours a day through active and outdoor play, rain or shine.

Frequently asked questions

My child’s a really fussy eater. Can I send them to nursery with a packed lunch?

Yes, children can come to nursery with a healthy packed lunch. However, if your child is fussy we would encourage you to speak to their play partner and come up with a plan to eat nursery lunch – over time, and sitting with their friends, we find most children start to eat the meals provided (and enjoy them!).

What if my child has allergies or specific dietary needs?

We can adapt our meals to suit your child’s needs. When you enrol, just let your nursery manager or key adult know.

How do you help children become more independent?

Our staff model everyday routines, starting with hand-over-hand support and gradually encouraging children to do things on their own. This looks different for every child, and we let them progress at their own pace. We reinforce learning with visual posters, nursery songs and older children leading by example.