Children sit at round tables whilst eating, and staff member levels mean that they can’t watch everyone eating. What do we do?
3.69 of the EYFS statutory framework says that "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 providers to be alert to when a child may be starting to choke. Where possible, providers 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."
How are settings managing rolling snack? Are we allowed to continue with these with Reception staffing levels in mind?
This is a decision that you should make as an individual setting with the knowledge you have of the provision/classroom, the unique needs of the children you are working with, and staff deployment. In some cases, rolling snack may still be possible if you follow the statutory guidance, particularly point 3.69 of the EYFS statutory framework says that ‘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 providers to be alert to when a child may be starting to choke. Where possible, providers 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.’ In some settings, rolling snacks may not be possible to accommodate now or temporarily. Both snack options have their benefits and opportunities for learning. The most important aspect is how you keep children safe during mealtimes when considering choking, allergies, intolerances and children’s personal preferences.
The kitchen serves up carrot rounds. Do midday supervisors need to ensure these are all cut up before children can eat them? Some schools/settings are provided with Government fruit for snacks. Do we need to cut this up? Do Reception children need their food cut up at lunch, for example, sausages, when we are trying to promote independence?
3.67 of the statutory framework states that "Providers must prepare food in a way to prevent choking." Therefore, any food served to children from school, setting kitchens or that is brought in from home should be served in such a way to prevent choking. This means that staff present during mealtimes must intervene to make food safe, if needed.
The Help for early years providers: Food safety website will be useful.
What shall I do if a parent continues to send a child with unhealthy snacks in their lunchbox?
This is often observed in schools and settings. We need to acknowledge that there may be a variety of reasons as to why children are provided with an ‘unhealthy’ meal from home. Our role will be to support and guide families to make positive changes to their child's and/or family's diet, but this is a journey. Ofsted has acknowledged that food brought in from home may not always follow the EYFS nutrition guidance. Ofsted may enquire with providers what steps have been taken with families to help make healthy choices in relation to children’s food, and where insufficient action has been taken by the setting, a relevant action may be set by Ofsted.
The Foundation Years' Nurturing Nutrition: Building Healthy Foundations in the Early Years Vodcast, featuring the DfE and Ofsted, may be useful for further information.
Are we still allowed to ask parents to bring in party food for Christmas parties?
Page 28 of the EYFS nutrition guidance states the setting’s food and nutrition policy "could include recommendations for special events to ensure any food brought in from home is balanced and meets the setting’s food guidelines." As a setting, you may need to consider how you manage this. For example, you may write up a list of different foods that fall within your policy and the nutrition guidelines and ask parents to sign up for what they will bring. This still allows for a community approach to food sharing during the party whilst following the setting’s policy and DfE nutrition guidelines.
Are children allowed to bring in treats for their birthday?
Page 28 of the EYFS nutrition guidance states that the setting’s food and nutrition policy "could include recommendations for special events to ensure any food brought in from home is balanced and meets the setting’s food guidelines, for example, recommending fruit platters to share or non-edible options to celebrate with, such as bubbles or stickers." Suggest to parents alternative gifts that children can give their friends on birthdays or special occasions. This supports a healthier approach to children’s diets and can support parents in their choice about how and when treats are given to their children.
Can we still bake sweet treats such as cupcakes with the children?
The EYFS nutrition guidance states that "Cooking is a great experience for young children and helps to create a positive relationship with food." Page 30. However, it is advisable to revisit the food and drinks guidelines from page 14 onwards to make sure any recipes you use follow these guidelines. Try and find alternative recipes that avoid foods being made that are high in saturated fat, salt, and/or sugars. Also, avoid artificial sweeteners as they may encourage children to prefer very sweet foods.
More food activity ideas can be found on the DfE website, Help for early years providers: Planning food activities with children, and the Food A Fact of Life website, Free education resources for teaching young people aged 3-16 years about where food comes from, cooking and healthy eating, and teacher training.
Is the nutrition guidance statutory?
The EYFS nutrition guidance states, "providers must have regard to this nutrition guidance. This means providers must take this guidance into account and should follow it unless there is good reason not to." 3.62 of the EYFS statutory framework states "providers must have regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance."
Do Reception children have to be provided with a starchy snack once per day too or is this for younger children?
The EYFS nutrition guidance states that providers should "Provide plain starchy food such as plain savoury crackers, or unsalted unsweetened rice or corn cakes as part of at least 1 snack each day." It also explains the ‘Provide’ element of the guidance, page 13, saying that "where the guidelines advise that a food or drink should be provided, use these to plan your meals, drinks and snacks." You may wish to ask families for donations of snacks, but these must also be within the EYFS nutrition guidelines.
Do we need to record every time a child has a choking incident, even if only a small one?
Point 3.70 of the statutory framework states that "When a child experiences a choking incident that requires intervention, providers should record details of where and how the child choked and ensure parents and/or carers are 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." Therefore, if an intervention, for example, first aid, is used to prevent further injury or risk to the child, this must be recorded.
Children up to the age of five must eat in the presence of a paediatric first aid-trained member of staff. Can you confirm whether the six-hour course applies, or do staff need to attend the full 12-hour course? Does this also apply to children up to the age of eight as per the HSE guidance?
3.63 of the EYFS statutory framework states "Whilst children are eating, there should always be a member of staff in the room with a valid paediatric first aid certificate for a full course consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A." In this specific case, the paediatric first aider will need to have attended the full course. For children aged five to 11 in wraparound care, the requirements depend on the setting's registration.
- If the setting is Ofsted registered on the Childcare register, compulsory for children up to age eight, voluntary for those over eight, there must be at least one person with a full 12-hour PFA certificate on-site and available, working directly with the children.
- This applies even if the provision does not care for children under five, as long as it is registered and provides care for children in reception and above.
- The six-hour emergency PFA course is not sufficient to meet this requirement in registered settings.
We recommend best practice that providers, both PVI and school-based provisions, have multiple trained members of staff in the 12-hour PFA, inclusive of practical elements. This is to ensure that all areas are covered.
As most PVI wraparound care providers are also on the Early Years register, we advise that they follow the guidance within the EYFS and apply this to practice as standard for all aged children in their care. We would equally expect a member of staff to be facing the children whilst eating, and we also bring to their attention that choking can be silent. Therefore, this is the best practice. We advise this to school-based providers, as well as this keeps all advice standardised.
