Introduction and professional standards

Our aim is to ensure all children receive a balanced and nutritious diet to support their growth and development. We are committed to promoting 'Best Start in Life' outcomes by encouraging healthy habits from an early age. As the sole provider, the lead practitioner is responsible for attending regular training, liaising with health professionals, and reviewing practice. We take full responsibility for promoting oral health, raising awareness of obesity concerns, and highlighting the benefits of physical exercise.

To maintain the highest standards of food safety, we implement the FSA Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) for Childminders framework and adhere to the "4 Cs" (Cleaning, Chilling, Cooking, and Cross-contamination). We also refer to UKHSA guidance for infection control and maintain an illness exclusion timetable.

Nutritional guidelines and provision

We believe that 'good food is good fuel.' While we do not provide hot evening meals, we are dedicated to promoting healthy habits, independence, and a positive relationship with food.

Food provided by the setting

We provide a variety of nutritious, cold-prep lunches and snacks balanced for children aged 2 to 7:

• Snacks: Fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy (such as Greek yoghurt or cheese), and healthy grains.
• Lunch: A balanced picnic plate featuring a protein, a complex carbohydrate, and at least two portions of vegetables or fruit.
• Drinks: We only provide cold tap water and plain cow’s milk (or calcium-fortified plant-based alternatives). Fizzy drinks, fruit juices, and squashes are not permitted.

Food provided by parents

If parents provide meals or snacks, they must adhere to our healthy eating policy:

• Nutrition: Meals should be balanced and avoid high-sugar, high-salt, or highly processed items like crisps, chocolate, or sweets.
• Storage: Packed meals must be delivered in a named cool bag with an ice pack. We store these in our fridge at 5°C or below.
• Nuts: We are a nut-free setting. No products containing nuts may be sent in.

Safety, allergies and individual needs

We maintain strict hygiene and allergen management to ensure every child eats safely. This includes:

• Individual dietary needs: We use medical and dietary needs forms to create bespoke plans and maintain an updated Allergen Matrix.
• Allergy records: For children with significant allergies, we complete specific record sheets outlining safety procedures and food separation.
• Double-check system: We check ingredient labels when purchasing and again before serving.
• Choking prevention: High-risk foods like grapes and cherry tomatoes are always quartered lengthways, and children are always supervised while sitting down to eat.
• Hygiene: We implement the FSA six-step handwashing technique at critical points throughout the day.

Nurturing healthy relationships and education

We focus on food education and body autonomy. We respect hunger and fullness cues, encouraging children to 'listen to their tummy,' and we never feed a child against their will. We use visual choice boards to allow children to select components of their meals.

To maintain healthy boundaries, food is never used as a reward or a punishment. We model positive attitudes by sitting and eating with the children. Our curriculum includes growing cress or herbs, observing food in natural settings, and reading stories about where food comes from.

Oral health and physical activity

We contribute to obesity prevention and long-term health by promoting a lifestyle of energy balance and active play.

Promoting good oral health

In line with statutory requirements, we promote oral health through:

• Daily brushing: Parents are encouraged to provide a soft-bristled toothbrush for supervised brushing after lunch.
• Education: We use role-play, mirrors, and puppets to make dental hygiene interesting and explain the benefits of drinking water.

Physical activity

We follow the UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines to ensure toddlers and pre-schoolers achieve at least 180 minutes of physical activity daily. This includes daily outdoor time regardless of weather and "Active Travel" to local parks or shops. Screen time is strictly limited, and we ensure children are not kept in sedentary equipment for prolonged periods.

Legal duties, parent partnership and audit

We provide guidance to parents to help them understand safe storage and healthy lunchbox content. We share framework menus at the start of each month and seek feedback from both parents and children to incorporate favourite recipes.

As part of our legal duties, we will notify Ofsted and Local Authority Environmental Health within 14 days of any food poisoning incident affecting two or more children. This policy is a working document reviewed annually or following any significant legislative changes. Our technical Allergen Matrix is available for parents to view upon request.