Setting the Table Guidance

Updated nutritional guidance for all early learning and childcare settings

The Scottish Government has released comprehensive updated guidance for early learning and childcare providers across Scotland, marking a significant step forward in ensuring children receive optimal nutrition during their crucial early years. The refreshed "Setting the Table" guidance replaces the previous version from 2015, bringing childcare nutrition standards in line with the latest scientific evidence and policy developments.

A new framework for healthy eating

The updated guidance establishes nutritional standards for children from birth to five years attending all childcare settings throughout Scotland. Whether a funded provider or not, all regulated childcare services are expected to follow these standards when preparing or serving food, including snacks, and supervising mealtimes. The goal is to ensure every child receives meals, snacks, and drinks that meet their nutritional requirements and contribute positively to their long-term health.

The revised guidance has been developed collaboratively by a multi-partner working group including Public Health Scotland, Food Standards Scotland, Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, NHS dietetics, and various sector representatives. It has been endorsed by Scotland's Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for public health.

It comes in response to evolving scientific understanding, particularly the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) review on "Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years" published in July 2023. The guidance also reflects broader policy changes, including updates to Health and Social Care Standards and best practice recommendations across our sector.

Key changes and what they mean

Among the most significant updates is the shift from food group based guidance to fourteen specific food standards. These standards cover provision at both meal and snack times, ensuring children receive a balanced intake of nutrient-rich foods throughout the day. The nutritional advice, sample menus, and recipes have all been updated to reflect current scientific evidence, providing childcare providers with practical, evidence-based tools.

The guidance also includes enhanced advice on managing allergies and intolerances, an increasingly important consideration given that food allergies affect 4% of children under five, with rates continuing to rise. The updated document clarifies the critical difference between allergies that come with a potential anaphylaxis risk - requiring allergy action plans and availability of emergency medications - and other types of allergies or intolerances. Childcare settings are advised to take an individualised approach, working with families and health professionals to develop appropriate allergy action plans. Staff training in allergy management and the use of emergency medications like adrenaline autoinjectors is emphasised as essential.

Importantly, the guidance emphasises inclusion and food safety skills over blanket food exclusion policies, promoting safe, nurturing mealtime environments for all children regardless of individual needs.

Why nutrition matters in early years

The importance of early childhood nutrition cannot be overstated. Children's experiences with food during these formative years - the foods they're offered and the eating patterns they observe both at home and in childcare - can shape lifelong eating habits. Good nutrition in early childhood lays foundations for maintaining positive physical and mental health and establishes good oral health habits. A varied diet and regular eating patterns can also positively impact mood, attention, behaviour, and learning capacity.

Conversely, poor diet remains one of the main causes of ill-health and premature death in Scotland. Evidence demonstrates that inadequate nutrition can affect brain development, impacting learning and social development. However, the research also shows that healthy eating, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight during early years may substantially reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers later in life.

Providing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks in childcare settings is also an effective way to reduce health inequalities.

The guidance encourages childcare providers to recognise that some families face significant challenges and emphasises that individual needs must be considered when planning food provision and activities. This approach aligns with initiatives like Best Start Foods, which provides financial support for buying healthy foods and milk to mothers and families with children under three who receive certain benefits.

Supporting special dietary requirements

A substantial portion of the updated guidance addresses special dietary requirements, reflecting the diverse needs of young children. Whether arising from religious or cultural beliefs, food allergies, intolerances, or other medical reasons, children with special dietary requirements should be included in mealtimes with their peers wherever possible.

For children with conditions like coeliac disease or diabetes, the guidance offers specific advice on menu planning. It also addresses selective eating, additional support needs, and sensory issues that may affect food preferences, providing strategies to support all children in developing healthy eating habits.

Implementation and support

The guidance is available as a digital resource with multiple links and supporting documents, including checklists, nutritional standards, sample menus, and recipes.

The Care Inspectorate will be expecting all settings to adhere to the guidance, so this June you can join Early Years Scotland for an interactive online session to equip you with a clear knowledge of the guidance and how best to implement it. The session will cover:

• Top Tips on Reading Food Labels: Learn how to identify suitable products and make informed choices.
• Menu and Snack Planning: Discover practical menu and snack ideas to ensure your offerings meet the updated guidance. (A digital recipe e-book will be provided to all participants after the session.)
• Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits: Explore strategies to inspire children to enjoy nutritious foods and try new flavours.

You can book your place here.