National Minimum Standards for Regulated Day Care - Open Access Play for children aged 5 years to 12 years: statutory guidance - Audience and overview

Child’s Voice: If snacks or drinks are offered, they’re healthy and suitable for me, and the staff check what I need.

Well-being Outcome: Where children are provided with healthy food and drinks they are provided in adequate quantities for their needs and are properly prepared and nutritious.

The registered person is responsible for ensuring that:

9.1 If healthy snacks and drinks are provided, the registered person requests information from parents about any special dietary requirements, including cultural and religious requirements, preferences or allergies, the child may have. Where these exist, the registered person makes a record and ensures these are complied with.

9.2 The registered person ensures that any food and drink which children receive is safely prepared, nutritionally balanced, of good quality and appropriate in quantity following recommendations Welsh Government's Food and Nutrition guidance for childcare settings.In line with the Playwork Principles a risk benefit approach is taken when using food for play.

9.3 Fresh drinking water is freely available to children at all times.

9.4 All food is stored safely. If parents provide food, they are informed of what can be stored safely.

9.5 If food is provided, there is a kitchen which is adequately equipped to provide meals and snacks for children and staff on the premises. If this is not available, the registered person is able to demonstrate how adequate arrangements will be made to provide food and drinks for children safely. 

9.6 Children do not have access to the kitchen area unless it is being used solely for a supervised children’s activity.

9.7 Food Standards Agency and Environmental Health requirements are complied with.

9.8 In settings where there are set meal and refreshment times, they are arranged to provide sociable opportunities. 

To assist providers, the principal regulatory requirements underpinning this standard are outlined below, followed by relevant guidance. Providers should note that neither list is exhaustive, and that providers must have regard to all Standards relevant to their service and the circumstances concerned.

Regulation 9 - Registered person: general requirements

Regulation 21 - Food provided to children 

Regulation 24 – Health needs of children

Regulation 37 – Fitness of premises

Welsh Government's food and nutrition guidance for childcare settings

British Nutrition Foundation's nutrition for children guidance on nutrition.org 

Food Standards Agency on food.gov.uk 

Food Standards Agency - allergen guidance for food businesses on food.gov.uk 

Shared Regulatory Services' Environmental Health Food Hygiene and Standards on srs.wales 

Healthy weight strategy (Healthy Weight Healthy Wales) | GOV.WALES