The organisation, which runs 39 nurseries across the capital, will run its first external training qualification from March with a second cohort of chefs set to begin in September.
The move comes after latest figures from the government’s children measurement programme revealed that one in four children in England are now entering reception overweight or obese.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of LEYF, said: “The best way to embed a healthy food culture for children is to train those who cook. Children’s nutritional needs are quite different to adults and it’s imperative that we get this right with proper professional training for early years chefs. There’s no denying that once a child becomes obese, it is highly likely that they will be obese for the rest of their lives. This is why, as a sector, we need to take a more responsible, supportive and joined up approach.”
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