An effective food and drink policy includes:
- details of how healthy, balanced and nutritious meals are provided in the setting;
- how information regarding any special food requirements for children is obtained, including preferences and food allergies;
- how information from parents about children’s dietary needs is recorded and acted upon;
- how fresh drinking water is available and accessible at all times (including outdoors);
- information about any other drinks provided;
- food hygiene management, including cascading of food hygiene training;
- the storage and management of food brought from home;
- how practitioners and their managers cater for cultural, religious and special dietary requirements;
- how practitioners and their managers manage fussy eating;
- the eating environment and social aspects of meal times including the role modelling of practitioners and their managers;
- the procedures for feeding babies;
- the management of hot drinks in the setting (if applicable);
- the management of dental health in the setting (if applicable).