Safeguarding and welfare

Food and nutrition

Safer eating practices policy framework

Healthy eating and nutrition play a vital role in supporting children’s growth and development. Early years practitioners help shape positive food experiences while meeting diverse dietary needs. Our model policy offers guidance on safe and inclusive eating practices for children from birth to five, supporting providers in delivering high-quality care. This policy framework is in line with the EYFS 2026 statutory framework and the Department for Education’s nutritional guidance.

Safer eating practices - policy framework for early years providers (PDF, 865KB)

Safer eating - one minute guide

Creating a safe and nurturing mealtime environment is essential for supporting young children's health, development, and wellbeing. Below is a one-minute guide that provides a quick reference for practitioners working in early years settings, aligning with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2026 and the Department for Education (DfE) Nutrition Guidance. It highlights key practices to ensure that food provision is not only nutritious and developmentally appropriate but also safe, inclusive, and responsive to individual needs.

One minute guide to safer eating practices in the early years (PDF, 306KB)

Allergy safety

Creating a safe and inclusive environment for children with allergies is essential for their health, wellbeing and participation in early years experiences. Whilst the DfE's Allergy Safety in Schools guidance, published in July 2026, is not statutory for early years providers it offers a helpful framework for reviewing allergy policies and procedures. Alongside the requirements of the EYFS 2026, the DfE's Allergy Safety in Schools guidance can also be used to support settings to identify and manage allergies effectively through clear communication, appropriate planning, staff training and allergy action plans. Following the introduction of Benedict's Law, Warwickshire Early has also developed an Allergy Model Policy Framework and an Allergy Safety One-Minute Guide to help providers strengthen their allergy practice and keep children safe.

Allergy Safety Policy Framework (PDF, 474KB)

Allergy Safety One Minute Guide (PDF, 275KB)

Lunchbox guidance

Nutritious lunches help support children’s energy, learning, and development. Settings should work with families to promote healthy choices and share simple resources with tips for affordable, balanced lunchboxes.

A clear food and nutrition policy is essential. It ensures consistent practice, supports staff, and helps families understand expectations around packed lunches, while offering a positive framework for addressing any concerns.

Guidance for families providing packed lunches should always follow the EYFS Nutrition Guidance.

The EYFS Statutory Framework 2026 states:

Food brought in from home Families may wish to provide food from home and some children may need to bring their own meals and snacks for medical or cultural reasons. Having a food and nutrition policy in place and communicating this to parents and/or carers can help them to understand your regulatory obligation to provide healthy, balanced, and nutritious food to children and encourage healthier food choices for packed lunches. It is important to ensure that food provided from home aligns with the healthy options offered by the setting, so that children receive consistent messages about nutrition.

Choking incident form

This Choking incident form may be used to record any instance where a child experiences choking, regardless of severity. This form ensures that:

Accurate details of the incident are documented, including what occurred, how staff responded, and any follow-up actions taken.
Parents/carers are informed promptly and transparently.
Practitioners reflect on the incident to improve risk management and prevent future occurrences.
Settings comply with EYFS statutory requirements and health and safety protocols.

Choking incident reporting form (DOCX, 46 KB)