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Standard 12: food and drink

We are sharing an example of how we intend to develop the layout of Open Access, Day care and Child-minding standards within the NMS to inform your consideration of this proposal.

First published: 17 September 2025

Last updated: 17 September 2025

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Child’s Voice

“People who care for me will give me plenty of healthy food and drinks during the day. They understand my likes and needs, including any allergies I may have, and make sure I feel safe and healthy.”

Wellbeing Outcome

Children are healthy, hydrated and well cared for in a nurturing environment. Children are supported to access nutritious food and regular drinks to meet their individual needs.

Requirements for standard 12: Food and drink

The registered person must ensure the following elements are in place:

12.1 Information is obtained from parents and recorded about individual children’s dietary requirements, including cultural and religious requirements and therapeutic diets for officially diagnosed food allergies and these are complied with.

12.2 If children receive meals and/or snacks, they are safely prepared, nutritionally balanced, of good quality and appropriate in quantity following recommendations in Welsh Government's food and nutrition guidance for childcare settings. The food and drink offered is varied and nutritious and meets the religious, cultural and dietary requirements of each of the children.

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

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

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

12.6 In settings where there are set meal and refreshment times, they are arranged to provide sociable opportunities for children, using tables, seating and appropriate crockery and cutlery.

12.7 If care is provided for babies and children under the age of 2:

feeding and nappy changing takes place in accordance with the child’s individual needs and not as part of a nursery routine.
facilities are available to support mothers who wish to continue to breastfeed, e.g. for safe storage of expressed milk or for visiting in order to breastfeed their baby during the time in which the child is cared for. In exceptional circumstances, where facilities are not permanently available, temporary arrangements are made as required.
babies are held when being bottle fed, preferably by the same carer or key worker on each occasion.
an area is provided with access to drinking water and facilities for the hygienic preparation of babies’ feeds.
suitable sterilisation equipment is used for babies’ feeding equipment and dummies.
records are kept of babies’ food intake and are shared with their parent(s)

Related Standards

Standard 2: Contract: 2.2 Dietary needs
Standard 3: Assessment: 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3: Children’s needs and preferences
Standard 5: Records: 5.1: any special dietary or health needs or allergy of any relevant child.
Standard 8: Nurture and wellbeing
Standard 10: Healthcare: 10.11: food hygiene
Standard 22: Environment: 22.8 kitchen conformed to health and food safety regulations.
Standard 25: Overnight Care: 25.13: Food and drink

Regulation 21: Food provided to children

21 (1) The registered person must ensure, where food is provided to relevant children by the registered person, that –

(a) they are provided with food which –

(i) is served in adequate quantities and at appropriate intervals;

(ii) is properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious;

(iii) is suitable for their needs and meets their reasonable preferences; and

(iv) is sufficiently varied; and

(b) any special dietary need of a relevant child which is due to the child's health, religious persuasion, racial origin or cultural background is met.

(2) The registered person must ensure that relevant children are provided with access to fresh drinking water at all times while they are under the care of the registered person.

Related Regulations

Behaviour management, discipline and restraint - Regulation 23 (5) – neither the following measures nor a threat to use one or more of them may be used on relevant children (c) any punishment to the consumption or deprivation of food or drink.

Fitness of Premises - Regulation 37 (5) – The registered person must ensure that where food is provided in indoor premises there are suitable and sufficient facilities and equipment for the preparation storage and consumption of food on the relevant premises.

Further Guidance and Support