An early years code of practice for food and drink, self-evaluation checklists, and an example food policy.
This series of new practical support tools helps early years settings understand and use the new national food and drink guidelines, and encourage young children in their care to eat well.
Download for free the practical support tools below, including:
- Early years code of practice for food and drink
Displaying the early years code of practice for food and drink is one of the best ways to show families, staff and visitors that your approach to food and drink follows national best practice outlined in the practical guide.
The code of practice has seven principles including: - having a food policy,
- communicating with families about their child’s diet,
- planning varied menus for snacks and meals in advance,
- planning meals and snacks to meet the new national food and drink guidelines,
- catering for the dietary requirements of all children,
- having a positive and welcoming eating environment to encourage children to eat well, and
- ensuring staff are appropriately trained.
Personalise the code of practice by downloading it and inserting the name of your setting and photos of children and activities from your setting.
- Code of practice checklist
Use this two-page checklist to evaluate your approach to food and drink provision. It will help you find out whether you are following the seven principles listed on the code of practice for food and drink, and record any actions you need to take to align your approach to these best practice recommendations. You can use the completed checklist as evidence for parents, your quality improvement scheme, and for external inspections such as for Ofsted.
- Menu planning checklist
Use this five-page checklist to plan and evaluate whether your current food and drink provision follows the new national food and drink guidelines for each meal and snack, and check that the ingredients and products you use are appropriate for young children.
Download, print and use this checklist each time a new menu is planned and introduced.
- Example food policy (coming soon)
Download for free, this template food policy and example completed food policy. These policies include each of the areas suggested within the practical guide. A food policy should be developed in consultation with children, parents and staff and include all information relating to food and drink provision at the settings and the approaches used to encourage children to eat well.
