Preventing excess weight gain in preschool settings

Implement a food policy which takes a 'whole settings' approach to healthy eating, so that foods and drinks made available during the day reinforce teaching about healthy eating.

Take every opportunity to encourage children to handle and taste a wide range of foods that make up a healthy diet by:

  • providing practical classroom-based activities​
  • ensuring a variety of healthier choices are offered at mealtimes, and snacks offered between meals are low in added sugar and salt (for example, vegetables, fruit, milk, bread and sandwiches with savoury fillings)​
  • ensuring carers eat with children whenever possible.

All nurseries and childcare facilities should ensure that preventing excess weight gain and improving children's diet and activity levels are priorities.

All action aimed at preventing excess weight gain, improving diet (and reducing energy intake) and increasing activity levels in children should involve parents and carers.

Nurseries and other childcare facilities should:

  • implement guidance developed by the Department for Education and Skills, Food Standards Agency and Caroline Walker Trust on food procurement and healthy catering.​
  • Staff should ensure that children eat regular, healthy meals in a pleasant, sociable environment free from other distractions (such as television).
  • Children should be supervised at mealtimes and, if possible, staff should eat with children.
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Preventing excess weight gain in preschool settings
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