Aim

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.

Objectives

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.
Our kitchen is safe for general hygiene and safety in food preparation areas.

We provide nutritionally sound meals and snacks which promote health and reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease that may begin in childhood.
We ensure that children are supervised at mealtimes and that children are within sight and hearing of a member of staff at all times.
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/carers 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.
We take into account every child’s individual development needs and work in partnership with parents/carers to help children to move on to the next stage with regard to weaning as per the guidance listed below.
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 and intolerances do not have contact with food products that they are allergic to.
We notify Ofsted or the childminder agency (CMA if registered with a CMA) of any food poisoning affecting two or more children in our care as soon as possible and at least within 14 days.
Risk assessments are conducted for each individual child who has a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.
If a child chokes at mealtime and intervention is given. We record details of the incident and ensure that parents/carers are informed.

Legal references

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

Further guidance

Safer Food Better Business for Caterers (Food Standards Agency)

Paediatric Allergy Action Plans - BSACI

Food allergy - NHS

Anaphylaxis - NHS

Weaning - Start for Life - NHS

Help for early years providers : Food safety

Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance (2025)

Reviewed August 2025