As those working in the early years sector will be aware, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework requires providers to take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well – and providers must be confident that those responsible for preparing and handling food in their setting are competent to do so.
This includes preparing food hygienically, providing meals that are healthy, balanced and nutritious, as well as making sure that food is prepared appropriately for babies and children of different ages, for example mashed, pureed or cut into appropriately sized and shaped pieces where it could be a choking hazard. The EYFS learning and development requirements also state that children must be helped to make healthy choices in relation to food.
You can find additional information on this here:
A number of organisations have produced guidance that supports providers, parents and carers in building a sound knowledge of how to prepare food for children in the early years – and how to make sure that meals provided are healthy and safe. Early years practitioners may find it useful to refer to this guidance when reviewing policies surrounding food and drink in their setting, or when inducting new members of staff to the EYFS requirements.
Safe weaning and foods to avoid giving babies and young children
Guidance on safe weaning and foods to avoid giving babies and young children (last reviewed in 2022)
Produced by NHS England and Public Health England, including advice on foods to avoid, how to prepare food safely to avoid choking and preparing food hygienically.
Reducing unintentional injuries for children under 5
Guidance on reducing unintentional injuries for children under five (produced in 2018)
Produced by Public Health England, working with the Child Accident Prevention Trust and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. This guidance focuses on preventing accidents in the home, but provides advice and signposts to a number of resources on accident prevention that will be useful for early years settings to consider in relation to their polices on safe food preparation. Early years practitioners will also find it helpful to refer to guidance produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, including specific guidance on choking.
Food safety
Help for Early Years Providers sets out guidance on safe weaning, food and drink to avoid, how to prepare infant formula bottles and allergies.
How to prepare food safely for children
See the informational posters published by the Food Standards Agency on choking hazards, and display them in your setting.