Description:

The current advice on food and nutrition for early years settings in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is limited in scope and not supported by clear recommendations for implementation. The School Food Trust was therefore commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to establish and manage a multi-disciplinary Advisory Panel on Food and Nutrition in Early Years.

The Advisory Panel considered the need for revised guidance or standards on the provision of food and drink in early years settings, and on the implications of any changes it might recommend.

The Advisory Panel worked with providers, practitioners, caterers, food manufacturers and those involved with auditing or inspecting early years food and drink provision, including local authorities and Ofsted. It has produced a set of recommendations to inform the wider, independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage which began in September 2010 and which will report in spring 2011.