Navigating drinks policies in early years settings can often feel confusing for both nursery managers and parents. Whether you are trying to understand why a nursery restricts fruit juice or wondering how much whole milk a toddler actually needs each day, hydration in early childhood is fundamental to growth, concentration, and dental health. In my practice supporting families and early years providers with children's nutrition, questions around what young children should drink during the nursery day come up constantly.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework establishes key requirements for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years in England.* While the statutory framework itself requires settings to ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times, the detailed nutritional guidance sits within national voluntary standards for early years settings. These guidelines set out clear principles to promote dental hygiene and establish lifelong healthy habits, distinguishing clearly between suitable daily drinks and those best left off the menu.
Why Water and Milk Are the Primary Drinks
In early childhood nutrition, plain water and milk are the only recommended drinks for young children between meals. Plain water provides complete hydration without adding free sugars or acidity that can erode delicate primary tooth enamel. For infants under twelve months, boiled and cooled water is advised, whereas children over one year can consume plain tap water freely throughout the day. In my consultations with parents, I always emphasise that establishing plain water as the primary thirst-quencher early in life prevents reliance on sweet-flavoured beverages later on.
Milk plays a crucial dual role as both hydration and a valuable source of calcium, protein, and essential micronutrients. Children aged one to two years should ideally be offered whole milk, as their energetic growth demands higher energy density. From two years onwards, semi-skimmed milk can be introduced if the child is eating a varied diet. Skimmed or 1% milk is not suitable as a main drink for children under five. For children who require plant-based milk alternatives due to allergies, unsweetened, calcium-fortified options should be chosen carefully under professional guidance.
What EYFS Guidelines Say About Juice and Squash
Fruit juice and squash are frequently misunderstood areas in early years nutrition. While 100% pure fruit juice provides vitamin C, it also contains concentrated free sugars that release rapidly when fruit is processed. National guidance advises that if fruit juice is served at all, it must be well-diluted with water and served strictly at mealtimes to minimise dental impact. Squash, including sugar-free or no-added-sugar varieties, is generally excluded from nursery drink policies altogether.
Many parents ask why sugar-free squash is discouraged in early years settings. Even without added sugar, squashes contain artificial sweeteners and food acids that maintain a child's preference for sweet flavours and can contribute to tooth enamel erosion over time. Encouraging children to enjoy plain water in nursery settings helps standardise healthy routines, supporting the broader principles I discuss when supporting children's nutrition at school and in early years environments.
Protecting Tooth Enamel and Oral Health
Dental decay remains one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions among young children in the UK, yet it is largely preventable. Frequent exposure to acidic and sugary drinks throughout the day bathes young teeth in sugar, giving mouth bacteria the fuel to produce acid. When children sip juice or squash from free-flow cups across the nursery day, the risk of early childhood tooth decay increases significantly. Switching strictly to open cups with water or plain milk between meals dramatically reduces this risk.
Practical Actionable Tips for Hydration in Early Years
Implementing a clear and consistent drinks policy creates a supportive environment for staff, parents, and children alike. Here are practical strategies to ensure healthy hydration:
- Keep plain water accessible: Position low-level water dispensers or labelled cups at child height so children can self-serve and build independence.
- Dilute juice if served: If offering fruit juice, dilute one part juice with ten parts water and serve it strictly during structured mealtimes.
- Transition to open cups: Encourage the use of open cups or free-flow cups from six months old, aiming to discontinue teat bottles by twelve months.
- Communicate policies clearly: Ensure parents receive a clear written copy of the nursery drinks policy during onboarding to align expectations between home and nursery.
- Support picky drinkers gently: If a toddler is hesitant to drink plain water, read our practical guide on managing a fussy eater for tips on gradual introduction and positive modelling.
Beyond working with individual families, my consultancy practice also collaborates with early years food providers, caterers, and food brands navigating nutritional compliance and the wider impact of HFSS regulations on child-targeted products. Ensuring menus and drink offerings align with national standards creates a trusted foundation for early childhood care.
Establishing healthy hydration routines early in a child's life sets the stage for long-term health and vibrant growth. If you are an early years provider looking to audit your nutritional policies or a parent seeking tailored guidance for your child's dietary needs, I am here to support you. You can explore my range of bespoke advisory options on my services page or get in touch directly via my contact page to discuss how an online consultation can support your nursery setting or home routine.
