Food and drink
Where children are provided with meals, snacks and drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious. Those responsible for the preparation and handling of food must be competent to do so.
Fresh drinking water must be available at all times.
Providers must notify Ofsted of any food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on the premises. An early years provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement, commits an offence.
Statutory guidance
to which providers should have regard
Children should be provided with healthy meals and other healthy snacks and drinks
as appropriate. If providers have reason to believe that any child is suffering from
a notifiable disease identified as such in the Public Health (Infection Diseases)
Regulations 1988, they should inform Ofsted. Providers should act on any advice given
by the Health Protection Agency and inform Ofsted of any action taken. A link to
the Health Protection Agency’s list of notifiable diseases is provided on the EYFS
CD-
Providers should obtain, record and act on information from parents about a child’s dietary needs. Providers should be aware of their responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Department.
In group provision, food hygiene matters should be included in induction and on-
FOOD AND DRINK
The provider must promote the good health of the children, take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, and take appropriate action when they are ill.
In practice
There is so much information now available on the internet and in the media on healthy eating that we are not going to discuss balanced diets and nutrition on this page, but provide support on other aspects of food and drink.
Ofsted now expect to see that all children have access to water throughout the day. For young children this may be a lidded beaker available, for older children a jug of water and beakers. This allows them to pour their own drinks when needed and supports their growing independence. If you are concerned about spills, then provide it on a tray or purchase a small water dispenser that can be refilled each day from the tap.
A record should be kept of food and drinks given to children, especially babies,
to share with parents. This could be recorded in the Daily Contact Book see BCMA
payments centre
Childminders must provide a suitable environment and the necessary
equipment to support the minded children to eat and develop independence. This will
include age/stage appropriate cutlery and tableware and correct seating, in a highchair
or booster chair. Consider also the learning of table manners. You must discuss this
with the child’s family first as table manners can vary from country to country and
what you may find inappropriate is not to others. Wikipedia provide an insight into
how table manners can vary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners
Ofsted conducted a small investigation into healthy eating with childcare providers.
www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/
index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.summary&id=4190
Childminders
were found to be very good at providing a healthy diet and working with parents to
ensure lunch boxes are nutritious.
Childminders are expected to encourage children
to try new foods and to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables per day. You may
like to download this poster from www.dh.gov.uk or make your own with the children.
Childminders can claim money towards the cost of any milk purchased for minded children
under the age of 5 years.
Further information is available from
Welfare Foods Reimbursement
Unit WFRU
Po BOX 31048
London SW1V 2FE
0207 887 1212
Information on food hygiene is available on the following page: www.bromleycma.org.uk/food_hygiene.html
