FOOD AND DRINK - POLICY AND PRACTICE

The sharing of refreshments can play an important part in the social life of the pre-school as well as reinforcing children’s understanding of the importance of healthy eating.  The pre-school will ensure that it fulfils all the requirements of the registering authority and have regard of the Early years Foundation stage nutrition guidance (April 2025):

•	All snacks provided are nutritious, avoiding large quantities of fat, sugar, salt, additives, preservatives and colourings. 
•	We will offer a morning and afternoon snack.
•	Before a child starts to attend the group, staff discuss with parents the child’s dietary needs, including any allergies, and make appropriate arrangements to meet them. Ongoing discussions will take place with the parents to ensure the  child’s needs are always being met.
•	A diet encompassing food from a range of cultures ensures that children from all backgrounds encounter familiar tastes and that all children have the opportunity also to try unfamiliar foods.
•	The dietary rules of religious groups and also of vegetarians/vegans are known and met in appropriate ways.
•	Water is constantly available
•	Suitable cups and plates are provided by the pre-school
•	Snack times and lunch times are sociable experiences and all children sit together.
•	Children staying all day provide own lunch (please see packed lunch policy) Any perishables are labelled and stored in the fridge.
•	All staff involved in preparing and handling food will receive training in food hygiene

Food for play

•	Food for play may include dough, corn flour, pasta, rice, food colourings/flavourings
•	Staff are constantly alert to the potential hazards of food play, in particular choking hazards and signs of previously undetected allergies
•	Dried food that is used for play should be kept away from food used for cooking
•	Foods that are cooked and used for play, such as dough, have a limited shelf life
•	Cornflour is always mixed with water before given for play
•	Cornflour and cooked pasta are discarded after an activity due to high risk of bacteria forming
•	Utensils used for play food are washed thoroughly after use
•	Children are always supervised
Cooking Activities

•	Before undertaking any cooking activity with children, members of staff will check for allergies and intolerances by checking children’s records
•	Children are taught basic hygiene skills such as the need to wash hands thoroughly before handling food and again after going to the toilet, blowing their nose or coughing
•	The area to be used for cooking is cleaned
•	Members of staff encourage children to handle food in a hygienic manner

Celebrations

•	We advise that healthy alternatives such as stickers or bubbles would be appreciated to celebrate a child’s birthday instead of cake or sweets. 

Signed on behalf of the pre-school   Chris Jones

Adopted 08.10.18

Reviewed 08.08.19, 19.07.20, 08.08.21, 17.08.22, 15.08.23, 05.08.24, 17.12.24, 29.04.25, 05.08.25