We are dishing up something truly fresh this autumn – in every sense of the word. We’re thrilled to share that we’ve teamed up with leading Registered Nutritionist Laura Matthews to launch a new, expertly crafted menu that’s as nutritious as it is colourful, compliant and child-approved.
Bringing together Laura’s wealth of experience in creating balanced, flavour-packed meals and our deep-rooted commitment to giving children the very best start in life, the partnership has already proven a recipe for success.
When the Department for Education (DfE) released its updated early-years nutrition guidance earlier this year, we saw it as more than a checklist – it was a chance for us to raise the bar for children’s health across its nationwide network.
“We didn’t just want to meet the new standards – we wanted to exceed them,” said Grace Cole, our Managing Director. “Partnering with Laura gave us the confidence to create something exceptional. Her experience and passion for children’s nutrition really shine through in every dish.”
With over a decade as a Head of Nutrition and eight years consulting for local councils and nurseries, Laura brought both scientific insight and hands-on know-how to the collaboration. “I’ve worked directly with the Monkey Puzzle team to create menus that are colourful, balanced and exciting for little ones – food that fuels them and makes mealtimes fun.
“It was refreshing to work with an organisation, like Monkey Puzzle, who put the importance of nutrition and healthy eating for young children at the forefront of the business. I was thrilled to be able to collaborate with them to create these menus and look forward to working with again in the future.”
“The early years are absolutely crucial – the first 1,000 days of a child’s life help shape their lifelong eating habits. By offering nutritious meals in nursery, we’re not just supporting physical growth and brain development – we’re also laying the foundations for positive food relationships, adventurous palates and a reduced risk of obesity and diet-related illnesses later in life,” continued Laura.
For us, this initiative represents far more than a menu refresh – it’s another demonstration of our strength as a supportive, forward-thinking franchise that continually invests in quality and innovation.
“This new menu is a real game-changer for our franchise network,” added Grace. “It gives our franchisees and nursery teams confidence, consistency and full compliance with DfE guidance — taking the guesswork out of healthy eating. And because every recipe is expertly planned and nutritionally approved, our teams can spend less time on admin and more time doing what they do best – caring for and supporting the children.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with what Laura and our team have created, and the feedback so far has been incredible – from children, parents and our nursery teams alike.”
The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive – from children, parents, and nursery teams alike. For our network, the benefits are tangible – consistency across every setting, full DfE compliance…and meals that children genuinely enjoy! Parents can rest easy knowing their children are getting the best possible start.
And we’re not stopping here. The menu will be reviewed every six months to reflect seasonal ingredients including spring and summer and autumn and winter menus over the next few years, and feedback from nurseries, parents and children – ensuring it continues to evolve and inspire.
“We want to set the standard for early years nutrition. This partnership has laid the foundations for that – and ensures our franchise network continues to lead the way,” concluded Grace.
For more information on franchise investment opportunities with Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, visit https://monkeypuzzlenurseryfranchise.com/