Childsplay nursery of Newcastle-upon-Tyne won praise from the judges for an excellent food policy, organic menus and forging good links with parents. Childsplay will receive £1,000 of Hobart kitchen equipment.
The runners up, from among more than 70 entries, were Willow Cottage Nursery in Oxford and Little Monkey's Nursery in Windsor, who will each receive Hobart equipment worth £500.
Four nurseries were highly commended and 12 commended.
Veronica Walsh, manager of Childsplay, said, 'We were overwhelmed to be named the winners. It's wonderful to have the work we've done recognised. It inspires us to work harder.'
The Nursery Food Awards were launched this year by children's organic food company Organix, with the Soil Association and Nursery World, to reward nurseries serving healthy food to children.
The judges, Organix founder Lizzie Vann, Nursery World editor Liz Roberts, nutritionist Annie Seeley and Jeanette Orrey of the Soil Association, were guided in their selection process by the Caroline Walker Trust publication Eating Well for the Under Fives in Child Care.
Ms Vann said, 'There was a very high overall high standard. We found headteachers, cooks and nursery staff who were working above and beyond the call of duty and who obviously really cared about the food they were giving children. There are no Government standards in place for nursery food and we were interested in how many nurseries are doing a good job. Next spring we are going to publish a report on the standard of food in nurseries and highlight where nurseries need more help.'
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.organix.com/Content/Nursery-Food-Awards.
