Food safety and nutrition policy

Our setting is a suitable, clean, and safe place for children to be cared for, where they can grow and learn. We meet all statutory requirements for food safety and fulfil the criteria for meeting the relevant Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare requirements

• We recognise that we have a corporate responsibility and duty of care for those who work in and receive a service from our provision, but individual employees and service users also have responsibility for ensuring their own safety as well as that of others. Risk assessment is the key means through which this is achieved.

• Procedure 01.3 Kitchen is followed for general hygiene and safety in food preparation areas.

• We provide nutritionally sound snacks which promote health and reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease that may begin in childhood. 

• We follow the main advice on dietary guidelines and the legal requirements for identifying food allergens when planning menus based on the four food groups: 

- meat, fish, and protein alternatives 

- milk and dairy products 

- cereals and grains

- fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Following dietary guidelines to promote health also means taking account of guidelines to reduce risk of disease caused by unhealthy eating.

• Parents share information about their children’s particular dietary needs with staff when they enrol their children and on an on-going basis with their key person. This information is shared with all staff who are involved in the care of the child.

• Foods provided by the setting for children have any allergenic ingredients identified on the menus.

• Care is taken to ensure that children with food allergies do not have contact with food products that they are allergic to.

• Risk assessments are conducted for each individual child who has a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.

Regulation (EC) 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs.

Food Information Regulations 2014

The Childcare Act 2006

Safer Food Better Business for Caterers (Food Standards Agency) https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/safer-food-better-business-for-caterers

Other useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

Nutritional Guidance for the Under Fives (Ed. 2010) 

The Early Years Essential Cookbook (2009)

Healthy and Active Lifestyles for the Early Years (2012)