Setting the Table: Supporting Healthy and Safe Mealtimes in Early Years (Scotland)
This course supports Early Learning and Childcare professionals to develop safe, inclusive and positive mealtime practices for babies and young children in Scottish settings.
Practitioners will explore how nutrition, safety, wellbeing and relationships come together at mealtimes. The course covers balanced nutrition, food safety, choking prevention, responsive feeding, and promoting positive eating behaviours in line with Setting the Table and Care Inspectorate expectations.
Learners will also consider how policies, risk assessments and reflective practice support consistent, inspection-ready mealtime provision across Early Learning and Childcare settings.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Understand the importance of nutrition for babies and young children
- Apply Setting the Table guidance to everyday Early Learning and Childcare practice
- Identify and reduce mealtime risks, including choking hazards
- Support safe, inclusive and responsive feeding practices
- Promote positive eating behaviours without pressure
- Respond appropriately to children’s hunger, fullness and emotional cues
- Apply professional judgement to mealtime situations
- Use policies, risk assessments and records to support inspection readiness
Course Details
Estimated Time: 60–75 minutes
CPD: 1 hour
Suitable for:
- Early Years practitioners
- Childminders
- Nursery and ELC staff
- Playworkers
- Senior practitioners and room leads