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Food hygiene for childminders.

If you provide meals, snacks or drinks other than tap water to the children you look after, food hygiene law applies to you. In England you are registered as a food business through Ofsted, and the early years framework says you must be confident that you, and any assistants, are competent to prepare and handle food.

Sources for this answer
  • Childminders must follow food hygiene law if they provide meals, snacks, drinks other than mains tap water, reheated food from a parent, or food they cut up and prepare. [S23]
  • In England, a childminder who provides food is registered as a food business through the details given to Ofsted or a childminder agency, with no separate registration. [S23]
  • Under the early years framework in England, childminders must be confident that they, and any assistants who prepare and handle food, are competent to do so. [S39]

What is different for childminders?

  • In England there is no separate food registration; in Scotland you complete a childminders food business registration form, and the rules differ in Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • You are inspected for food hygiene but not given a food hygiene rating.
  • Food poisoning affecting two or more children in your care is reported to Ofsted or your agency within 14 days at the latest.
  • Made-up formula from parents and expressed breast milk go in the fridge and are used within 24 hours.
  • Before a child starts, you collect information about their dietary needs, food allergies and intolerances, and share it with anyone who prepares food.
  • Allergy action plans are agreed with parents, and everyone who helps you knows the signs of an allergic reaction.
Facts and sources for this part
  • In England, a childminder who provides food is registered as a food business through the details given to Ofsted or a childminder agency, with no separate registration. [S23]
  • Childminders in Scotland complete a childminders food business registration form; the rules differ in Wales and Northern Ireland. [S23]
  • Childminders are inspected for food hygiene but are not given a food hygiene rating. [S18]
  • Childminders must tell Ofsted or their childminder agency about any food poisoning affecting two or more children in their care, within 14 days at the latest. [S39]
  • Made-up bottles of formula from parents go in the fridge straight away and are used within 24 hours; expressed breast milk is also kept in the fridge and used within 24 hours. [S46]
  • Before a child starts, a childminder must get information about the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences, food allergies and intolerances, and share it with all staff who prepare and handle food. [S39]
  • Childminders must work with parents, and health professionals where appropriate, on allergy action plans, and make sure all staff know the symptoms and treatment of allergies and anaphylaxis. [S39]

Do you need a food hygiene certificate as a childminder?

The law does not name one: food handlers do not have to hold a certificate. The early years framework asks you to be confident in your own competence, and points to the FSA’s guidance for childminders.

Facts and sources for this part
  • Food handlers do not have to hold a food hygiene certificate. [S1]
  • Under the early years framework in England, childminders must be confident that they, and any assistants who prepare and handle food, are competent to do so. [S39]

Which guide applies?

SFBB for childminders is the FSA’s food safety management pack for registered childminders who usually provide meals and drinks for the children in their care. It adds special advice for babies and young children to the usual cleaning, chilling and cooking.

Facts and sources for this part
  • SFBB for childminders is the FSA’s food safety management pack for registered childminders who usually provide meals and drinks for the children in their care. [S19]

Where to start

Start with handwashing and illness, then fridges and reheating food that parents bring, then allergens. The free test at the end is optional.

  1. Lesson 2Personal hygiene and fitness to work3 min
  2. Lesson 4Temperature: chilling, cooking, hot holding and reheating4 min
  3. Lesson 6Allergens and food information3 min
  4. Lesson 1Food hygiene law and your part in it4 min