This policy sets out the requirements that apply when families choose to provide food from home for their child while attending Step Start. It explains the responsibilities of parents and carers, the controls in place to protect children’s health and safety, and the limits of responsibility for Step Start when food is not provided by the nursery.

This policy applies in the following circumstances:

• Where families have formally opted out of nursery-provided food and are supplying meals and snacks from home, and
• Where food is brought in from home for specific purposes such as sensory activities, curriculum experiences, cultural or religious activities, or other agreed reasons, only where this has been approved in advance and confirmed in writing by Step Start.
• Food brought in under exceptional agreement does not constitute an opt-out of nursery food provision and may only be used in line with the agreed purpose and any conditions set by the nursery.
• This policy should be read alongside the Admissions & Funding Policy and any relevant declarations or written agreements.

Step Start has a duty of care to protect children’s health and wellbeing while they are in our care. Food safety legislation places obligations on settings to take reasonable steps to prevent foodborne illness. Where food is provided by parents, additional safeguards are required to manage risks associated with storage, temperature control and allergens.

This policy reflects guidance provided to early years settings regarding food hygiene, allergen management and safeguarding.

All food provided from home must be healthy, age-appropriate and suitable for consumption in a nursery setting. Food should support children’s wellbeing and development and align with Step Start’s approach to promoting healthy eating habits. We are not able to accept foods that are high in added sugar, salt, or are heavily processed, or foods that are not appropriate for a shared early years environment.
Step Start reserves the right to refuse food that does not meet our expectations for health, safety or suitability, even where food safety requirements have otherwise been met.

Parent responsibilities

Where food is provided from home, parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that all food:

• Has been stored safely prior to arrival at nursery
• Is within its use-by date
• Has been kept within appropriate temperature control prior to drop-off
• Is suitable for a young child to consume
• Meets any dietary or allergy requirements already declared to the nursery

Parents must confirm compliance with these requirements each time food is brought into the setting by completing the required declaration.

Temperature control and storage

Step Start does not have facilities to refrigerate, freeze, cook or reheat food brought from home. This includes the storage of lunch boxes, containers or bags with ice packs.

For this reason, food brought from home must not have been left outside appropriate temperature control for more than 4 hours prior to being served. This requirement is in place to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

Where a child attends for a full day, parents may need to return to the nursery during the day to deliver later meals and snacks so that food remains within safe time limits.

Packaging and allergens

All food provided from home must:

• Be in original manufacturer packaging
• Have a full, clear ingredients list visible
• Allow staff to check for allergens before serving

Homemade food, unpackaged food, or food without a full ingredients list cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

Step Start operates strict allergen controls. Food that cannot be verified as safe will not be served.

Nut free requirement

To protect children with severe allergies, all food brought from home must be nut free. This includes peanuts, tree nuts and any products containing nut ingredients or traces.

Labelling

All food, drink containers and packaging must be clearly labelled with the child’s full name on each occasion food is brought into the nursery.

Declarations

Parents providing food from home are required to complete a Nutrition from Home Declaration each time food is delivered. This declaration confirms that the food meets the requirements set out in this policy and allows staff to make informed decisions about whether food can be safely served.

Refusal of food

If food does not meet the requirements of this policy, Step Start reserves the right to refuse to serve it. Reasons for refusal may include, but are not limited to:

• Food being outside safe time limits
• Missing or unclear ingredients information
• Concerns about allergen safety
• Concerns about storage or packaging

Where food is refused, this will be recorded in line with nursery procedures. Parents will be informed.

Provision of food by the nursery

If food is missing, unsafe, or refused, Step Start may provide suitable food to ensure the child’s needs are met. Where this happens, the cost may be charged in line with the Admissions & Funding Policy.

Repeated issues

Repeated failure to meet the requirements of this policy may result in a review of whether food from home remains a suitable arrangement for the child. In some cases, alternative arrangements may be required to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing.

Limits of nursery responsibility

Where parents provide food from home in accordance with this policy and complete the required declarations, responsibility for the safety, quality and nutritional content of that food remains with the parent. 

Monitoring and review

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains aligned with food safety guidance, safeguarding requirements and operational practice.

By choosing to provide food from home and completing the required Nutrition from Home Declaration, parents confirm that they have read, understood and agree to follow this Nutrition from Home Policy.