🍏 New Nutrition Guidelines in the UK

The UK’s EYFS nutrition guidance, recently updated in April–May 2025, highlights that from September 2025, all early years settings—including childminders—must follow the new standards unless there is a valid reason not to. This supports the existing legal requirement to provide meals, snacks, and drinks that are healthy, balanced, and nutritious. EYFS Nutrition Guidance 2025

Key Nutrition Requirements

  • Balanced meals and snacks that include:
    • Fruit & vegetables
    • Whole grains
    • Dairy (or fortified alternatives)
    • Lean proteins (including meat, fish, pulses)
    • Oily fish at least once every 3 weeks for protein variety 
  • Appropriate portion sizes based on child age and appetite—typically a child’s clenched fist for toddlers
  • Drinks limited to water and milk only—ideal choices for young children
  • Avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat, plus processed snacks

🍽️ Safer Eating & Choking Prevention

Under forthcoming EYFS Safeguarding reforms (from September 2025), new “Safer Eating” rules are being introduced These include:

  • Always having a paediatric first-aid–trained adult present at mealtimes .
  • Gathering dietary requirement information (allergies, intolerances) before children begin, with clear action plans in place .
  • Preparing food to limit choking risks (e.g., no whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, or marshmallows) .
  • Ensuring children are seated in appropriate chairs or highchairs and supervised during meals .
  • Monitoring for choking or allergic reactions, with incidents recorded and shared with parents.

The Food Standards Agency provides helpful posters on safe food preparation to reduce choking risks Safer Eating and Choking Preparation Help.

📌 Food Safety & Hygiene

We adhere to strict food hygiene standards, which include:

  • Preparing, storing, and cooking food safely
  • Thorough cleaning of surfaces and equipment
  • Handwashing protocols before meals or preparation, especially after animal contact Food Safety Information

We also keep detailed records of allergy information and ensure that any food provided aligns with medical or religious dietary requirements .

✅ Our Commitment

At Maria’s Childminding, we are fully committed to implementing all the new UK nutrition guidance, and our approaches to safe eating, food hygiene, and allergy monitoring ensure your child eats well, safely, and enjoyably with us.