Setting the Table - revised nutritional guidance and food standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland has been launched by NHS Health Scotland.
The guidance has been developed to help early years childcare providers meet the ‘Scottish Government National Care Standards: Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 (2009)’.
SCMA and the Care Inspectorate were both pleased to be involved in the development of these guidelines, which set out the importance of establishing good eating habits during the early years.
The guidance highlights the importance of nutrition and the role that childcare providers have in shaping both current and future eating patterns in young children.
Childcare providers who provide food and drinks for children under the age of five years will be responsible for implementing this guidance, and it’s also a useful resource for parents and carers.
The new guide has been expanded to include:
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the needs of infants from birth to one year. It offers helpful advice on topics such as breastfeeding, formula feeding, weaning, and menu planning for babies.
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food, snack and drink guidance for children age 1-5 years including the importance of good nutrition, food standards, providing breakfast, packed lunches, sample menus and recipes.
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useful advice on putting the guidance into practice; meeting the needs of all children including those with special diets, religious faiths and beliefs, children with additional needs and developing a holistic approach.
Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young Children said: “Valuing and supporting Scotland’s childcare providers is one of the best ways we can help make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.
“We know that eating habits developed in the early years frequently last into adulthood, so childcare providers have an early opportunity to support the development of positive food habits from a very early age.”
Annette Bruton, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “This new national best practice guidance and food standards is significant in that it now provides a singular resource for all early years childcare professionals and providers.”
Setting the Table will be distributed to all childcare providers in Scotland throughout January 2015, and it is also available to download.
Download Setting the Table