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Food Safety for Childcare Providers

Food safety and nutrition requirements for childcare settings, including food business registration, allergen management, HACCP systems, and Ofsted nutrition expectations.

Guide summary

Register your childcare setting as a food business with your local authority at least 28 days before you start serving food. You must have a food safety management system (like Safer Food, Better Business), manage all 14 allergens, and provide healthy, balanced meals that meet Ofsted and EYFS standards.

  • Register as a food business with your local authority 28 days before opening
  • Use the free Safer Food, Better Business pack for your food safety system
  • Know and communicate all 14 allergens in every meal you serve
  • Keep daily records of fridge temperatures, cleaning, and staff health
  • Train all food handlers – Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate is the usual way
  • Avoid choking hazards like whole grapes, nuts, and popcorn for under 5s
  • Serve healthy meals – limit sugar and salt, follow EYFS nutrition guidance from September 2025
  • Provide fresh drinking water at all times – it is a legal requirement
On this page

Related guides in Food Business Registration

If you prepare or serve food to children in your childcare setting, you must comply with food safety law. This includes registering as a food business, implementing food safety procedures, and managing allergens.

Ofsted also assesses the quality and nutritional value of meals you provide as part of meeting children's health and welfare needs under the EYFS framework.

Legal food safety requirements

Nutrition standards and best practice

Since 1 September 2025, early years providers in England must have regard to the statutory EYFS nutrition guidance (first published in April 2025), which replaces the earlier voluntary example menus. Ofsted expects you to provide healthy, balanced, and nutritious food:

Common food safety mistakes in childcare

Avoid these common issues that can lead to food safety failures or Ofsted concerns:

  • Not registering as a food business: Even if you only provide snacks, you must register if you do it regularly.
  • Poor fridge temperature control: Check and record fridge/freezer temperatures daily. Food safety incidents often stem from temperature failures.
  • Inadequate allergen information: You must know and communicate all 14 allergens in every meal. Document this clearly.
  • No HACCP system: Use the free 'Safer Food, Better Business for Childminders' pack - it's designed specifically for small childcare settings.
  • Unhealthy menus: Ofsted increasingly focuses on nutrition. Avoid excessive sugary snacks, processed foods, and lack of variety.
  • Staff not trained: All staff preparing food should complete Level 2 Food Hygiene training (typically £15-50 online).