Charges, Fees and Funding from 1st April 2025

Food safety and healthy eating

This policy will look at ensuring that food and feeding procedures will be delivered following the most recent research and guidance.  It will ensure that food and feeding will be risk assessed against all children’s individual needs.  It will cover:

·         Food allergens and intolerances

·         Procedures for gathering information from families in relation to allergies and intolerances

·         Procedures for gathering information and supporting families in relation to children with additional needs linked to food and feeding

·         Procedures for gathering information and supporting families in relation to food weaning

·         Milk and milk weaning procedures.

·         Choking risks, feeding supervision and ratios

·         Food based activities

 

Food allergens and intolerances

From 13 December 2014, all food businesses including childcarers need to provide allergen information on the foods they sell or provide. Food allergens pose a significant risk to consumers with allergic conditions, which may even be life threatening. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their reduced level of control over the foods they eat.

 As a childcare provider, it is our responsibility to ensure that we provide food allergen information for the food we serve and that this is accurate, consistent and verifiable. This allergen information should be easily accessible and readily available to parents, who leave or may leave children in my care.

There are 14 allergens currently listed under food law that we must declare. These are:

cereals containing gluten, eg wheat (including spelt and khorasan), rye, barley and oats and their hybridised strains, crustaceans, eg prawns, crab and lobster, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, eg almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, pistachio, cashew, macadamia nuts or Queensland nuts, celery (including celeriac), mustard, sesame, sulphur dioxide/sulphites (preservatives used in some foods and drinks) at levels above 10mg per kg or per litre, lupin, molluscs, eg clams, mussels, whelks oysters, snails and squid.

 Our settings are peanut free zones.

 Each term, our setting cook produces menus that are in line with statuary guidelines on providing a balanced nutritious menu for children.  This menu is balanced across all meals and snack times each day.  For each item on the menu, the cook keeps a breakdown of all allergens listed within it.  If your child has a specialist menu, the cook will work closely with you to ensure the menu can be modified to their needs.

 Administering food in setting

 Before a child is admitted to the setting the manager and cook must obtain information about any special dietary requirements, preferences, food allergies and intolerances that the child has, and any special health requirements. This information must be shared by the manager with all staff involved in the preparing and handling of food. At each mealtime and snack time practitioners must be clear about who is responsible for checking that the food being provided meets all the requirements for each child. The room lead is responsible for identifying the practitioner who will be responsible for food each day.  Children must be supervised while eating at all times.  The member of staff serving food must have a level 3 food hygiene qualification and must be wearing protective clothing and hair nets.

Procedures for gathering information from families in relation to allergies and intolerances

When a child starts their induction into setting parents are ask if they have any allergies or intolerances.  Parents who have already identified that their child has an allergy, or intolerance must then complete our allergen and intolerance personalised plan.  In this plan, parents must give detailed information on the nature of the allergy or intolerance, what symptoms occur should an allergen or intolerant be in contact, and an emergency plan put in place.  Any medical professionals that are involved with the child must also be shared.  This personalised plan must be reviewed termly.

Should a child develop or be diagnosed with an allergy or intolerance after they have started at the nursery, a meeting will be set up with the parent to create a personalised plan for their needs.

Practitioners must have ongoing discussions with parents and/or carers and, where appropriate, health professionals to develop allergy action plans for managing any known allergies and intolerances. This information must be kept up to date by the manager and cook and shared with all staff. Managers must ensure that all staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis, the differences between allergies and intolerances and that children can develop allergies at any time, especially during the introduction of solid foods which is sometimes called complementary feeding or weaning.

Procedures for gathering information and supporting families in relation to children with additional needs linked to food and feeding

Children with additional needs may have physical or sensory responses to the menus we provide.  When the child enrols in setting, a meeting with the SENDCO and parents/guardians will take place to discuss a personalised plan around the support the child may require.  Whether this be specialist seating equipment, feeding tubes, safe foods or 1:1 feeding due to choking risks.  The information gathered will be shared with the cook to ensure the menu is adapted appropriately for each child’s individual needs.

Should a child develop or be diagnosed with a physical or sensory need in relation to food and feeding after they have started in setting, a meeting with the cook and SENDCO will be arranged to create a personalised plan.

Practitioners must have ongoing discussions with parents and/or carers and, where appropriate, health professionals to develop allergy action plans for managing any known allergies and intolerances. This information must be kept up to date by the manager and cook and shared with all staff. Managers must ensure that all staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis, the differences between allergies and intolerances and that children can develop allergies at any time, especially during the introduction of solid foods which is sometimes called complementary feeding or weaning. 

Procedures for gathering information and supporting families in relation to food weaning

Room leads must have ongoing discussions with parents and/or carers about the stage their child is at in regard to introducing solid foods, including to understand the textures the child is familiar with. Assumptions must not be made based on age. The cook must prepare food in a suitable way for each child’s individual developmental needs, working with parents and/or carers to help children move on to the next stage at a pace right for the child. During the baby or child’s first settling in session, their key person will sit with the parent/guardian and discuss where the child is with their weaning program. 

 

Milk and milk weaning procedures.

 

Parents provide formula and breast milk to use in setting up to the age of 1 year.  We recommend that babies continue with breast milk or infant formula until the age of 1 as per health guidance.  From 1-year children may have cows milk as part of their diet and to drink. Once your baby is eating plenty of solids several times a day, they may even drop a milk feed altogether. Once your baby is 1 year old, feeding from a bottle should be discouraged.  We will have regular meetings with parents of babies to discuss their development and how we can support following this guidance in setting.

When using a bottle or trainer cup, we do not put anything in it other than breast milk, formula milk or water.

Parents will provide us with bottles to serve their milk of choice in.  We will sterilize these in setting to ensure they are safe to use each day.  Once a child has turned one we will encourage them to use free flow sippy cups.  Children who require additional support with this will be supported by our practitioners and SENDCO.  We will not accept preprepared bottles at setting.  Formula must be in its correct packaging with the date clearly intact.

 

See oral health policy for the use of sippy cups in setting

See annex A for a list the NHS list of recommended drinks for babies and toddlers

Choking risks, feeding supervision and ratios

 

Whilst children are eating there should always be a member of staff in the room with a valid paediatric first aid certificate.

The cook and practitioners must prepare food in a way to prevent choking. This guidance on food safety for young children: Food safety - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk) includes advice on food and drink to avoid, how to reduce the risk of choking and links to other useful resources for early years settings.

Babies and young children should be seated safely in a highchair or appropriately sized low chair while eating. Where possible there should be a designated eating space where distractions are minimised. Children are not fastened into highchairs to allow easy removal from the chair in the event of a choking incident.

Children must always be within sight and hearing of a member of staff whilst eating. Choking can be completely silent therefore it is important for practitioners to be alert to when a child may be starting to choke. Where possible, practitioners should sit facing children whilst they eat so they can make sure children are eating in a way to prevent choking and so they can prevent food sharing and be aware of any unexpected allergic reactions.

 

When a child experiences a choking incident that requires intervention, providers should record details of where and how the child choked and parents and/or carers made aware. The records should be reviewed periodically to identify if there are trends or common features of incidents that could be addressed to reduce the risk of choking. Appropriate action should be taken to address any identified concerns.

Food based activities

 

Children and babies will have access to a wide range of food-based activities within setting.  Practitioners will follow food hygiene guidelines to ensure that children are using foods and items that are safe for them and prepared in a hygienic way.  Children with allergies or intolerances will only access food-based activities in line with their dietary plan.  When using raw foods, staff will risk assess the activity in line with the child’s development.

 

This policy was written under the guidance of the outcomes of the Oliver Steeper consultation.

  

Annex A

 

NHS guidance on suitable drinks for babies and children

 

Breast milk

Breast milk is the only food or drink babies need in the first 6 months of their life.

It should continue to be given alongside an increasingly varied diet once you introduce solid foods from around 6 months.

The World Health Organization recommends that all babies are breastfed for up to 2 years or longer.

Breastfeeding up to 12 months is associated with a lower risk of tooth decay.

Formula milk

First infant formula is usually based on cows' milk and is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first 12 months of your baby's life.

All infant formula in the UK has to meet the same standards to help babies grow and develop. It does not matter if you choose a cheaper or more expensive brand of formula.

Follow-on formula is not suitable for babies under 6 months, and you do not need to introduce it after 6 months.

Formula milks are not needed once your baby is 12 months old. This includes first infant formula, follow-on formula, growing-up milks and toddler milks.

Cows' milk can be introduced as a main drink from 12 months.

Read more about the types of infant formula

Non-cows' milk formula

Goats' milk formula is available and produced to the same nutritional standards as cows' milk formula.

Goats' milk formula is not suitable for babies with cows' milk protein allergy. It's no less likely to cause allergies in babies than cows' milk formula as the proteins they contain are very similar.

You should only give your baby soya formula if a health professional advises you to.

Water

Once your baby has started to eat solid foods (from around 6 months) you can offer them sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Drinking water for babies over 6 months does not need to be boiled first.

Find out how to make up baby formula safely using water

Cows' milk

Cows' milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months but should not be given as a main drink to babies until they're 12 months old. This is because cows' milk does not contain the right balance of nutrients to meet your baby's needs.

Pasteurised whole milk and semi-skimmed milk can be introduced as a main drink once your child is 1 year old.

Skimmed and 1% milk should not be given as a main drink to children under 5 years old because they do not contain enough calories.

Lower-fat milks can be used in cooking from 1 year old.

 

 

Unpasteurised milk

Young children should not be given unpasteurised milk because of the higher risk of food poisoning.

Goats' and sheep's milk

Goats' and sheep's milk are not suitable as a main drink for babies under 1 year old as, like cows' milk, they do not contain enough iron and other nutrients babies this age need. As long as they're pasteurised, they can be given as a main drink once your baby is 1 year old.

Soya drinks and other milk alternatives

You can give your child unsweetened calcium-fortified milk alternatives, such as soya, oat or almond drinks, from the age of 1 as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Babies and young children under 5 years old should not be given rice drinks, because of the levels of arsenic in these products.

If your child has an allergy or intolerance to milk, talk to your health visitor or GP. They can advise you about suitable milk alternatives.

Rice drinks

Children under 5 years old should not have rice drinks as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cows' milk as they may contain too much arsenic.

Arsenic is found naturally in the environment and can find its way into our food and water.

Rice tends to take up more arsenic than other grains, but this does not mean that your baby cannot eat rice.

In the UK, there are maximum levels of inorganic arsenic allowed in rice and rice products, and even stricter levels are set for foods intended for young children.

Do not worry if your child has already had rice drinks. There's no immediate risk to them, but it's best to switch to a different kind of milk.

Fruit juice and smoothies

Fruit juices, such as orange juice, are a good source of vitamin C. However, they also contain natural sugars and acids, which can cause tooth decay.

Babies under 12 months do not need fruit juice or smoothies. If you choose to give these to your baby, dilute the juices and smoothies (one part juice to 10 parts water) and limit them to mealtimes.

Giving fruit juice and smoothies at mealtimes (rather than between meals) helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.

From 5 years old, you can give your child undiluted fruit juice or smoothies. Stick to no more than 1 glass (about 150 ml) a day, served with meals.

Squashes, flavoured milk, 'fruit' or 'juice' drinks and fizzy drinks

Squashes, flavoured milk, "fruit" or "juice" drinks and fizzy drinks are not suitable for young babies. They contain sugar and can cause tooth decay, even when diluted. 

For older babies and young children, these drinks can fill your child up so they're not hungry for healthier food. Instead, offer sips of water from a cup with meals.

Fizzy drinks are acidic and can damage tooth enamel so they should not be given to babies and young children.

Diet or reduced-sugar drinks are not recommended for babies and young children.

Even low-calorie drinks and no-added-sugar drinks can encourage children to develop a sweet tooth.