In 2018 we responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on draft guidance to support healthy food and drink provision in regulated childcare settings. We welcome evidence-based guidelines that address the well-recognised problems of childhood obesity and tooth decay.
The draft guidance is an update of 2009 guidance produced by the Welsh Government. Information on the consultation is available , which provides the final best practice guidance for food and nutrition for childcare settings published following this consultation.
Our response
- We welcome evidence-based guidelines that address the well-recognised problems of childhood obesity and tooth decay.
- We welcome the attention given to children who need to follow particular diets for medical reasons (for example, allergies, diabetes, coeliac disease).
- We support the focus on prevention within A Healthier Wales and the development of an obesity strategy for Wales.
Our recommendations
- The guidelines and their implementation should be aligned with the obesity strategy and efforts to improve children’s dental health in Wales.
- The communications strategy for the guidance should be robust to reach intended audiences.
- Welsh Government should provide clarity on:
- which childcare settings the guidelines apply to
- how it will monitor uptake and compliance with the guidelines
- how it will respond if providers choose not to adhere to the best practice set out
- how it will evaluate the success of food and nutrition guidelines in childcare settings.
We respond to a wide range of consultations to ensure that the College’s position, and ultimately children’s health, is represented. Members can get involved in current consultations by contacting the Health Policy team: health.policy@rcpch.ac.uk.