Are childcare settings' food menus fit for purpose? A qualitative analysis in England.

ABSTRACT: Childcare settings have a central role in feeding pre-school-aged infants and children. One of the ways in which childcare settings plan nutritious, balanced, and varied meals and snacks for preschool-aged infants and children (0-5 years) is through the use of a menu. Nevertheless, international studies indicate an overwhelming heterogeneity in uptake of menus, as well as use and format, with variable details of food and drinks provided. Thus, in the context of a nationally representative survey on food provision in early years settings in England, we invited respondents to upload sample menus. Of the 322 settings that completed the survey, 56 submitted menus (17.4%). Five were excluded because the attachment was either not a menu or was illegible. Data contained in the 51 readable menus w

SUBMITTER: Warren E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12574674 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature