Food for Messy Play Policy

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At The Norfolk Childcare Company Ltd, we have embraced this Food for Messy Play policy as a testament to our dedication to providing high-quality play experiences that prioritise the safety and enjoyment of all the children under our care.

Our goal is to ensure that ‘food for messy play’ activities are age-appropriate and aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage, which actively promotes children’s creative and sensory development. The tactile experiences gained during these activities help children explore a variety of textures.

Through ‘food for messy play,’ children have the opportunity to explore and experiment using all their senses. They can touch, smell, pour, and mix to discover the exciting outcomes, all while having enjoyable learning experiences. Babies and toddlers also enhance their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

We consistently assess for allergies and dietary requirements before engaging in food-based activities. For babies under 12 months who do not partake in nursery food, we always seek consent from parents/carers before involving them in our messy play sessions.

To prioritise the children’s health and well-being at all times, all activities are closely supervised. Utensils and equipment used during these activities undergo regular cleaning, and children are encouraged not to consume the ‘play’ food or put play equipment in their mouths, though occasional instances may be unavoidable.”

How we will keep safe #

• Only food supplied by the nursery can be used for ‘messy food’ activities. This is because the ‘food’ supplied has been risk-assessed and is age-related. The food is stored in the kitchen only.
• Plan ‘messy’ food activities while considering children with food allergies. The allergies board can be found in the kitchen, as well as in the rooms.
• Check all ‘food for messy play’ before use to ensure it is not past its expiry date.
• Limit messy food activities to no more than one per week for each room.
• Room Leaders will coordinate with each other when planning weekly activities involving ‘food for messy play’ to reduce food wastage.
• Rotate the days each week to provide all children with the opportunity to participate in ‘food for messy play’ activities.
• Small group activities using food have a more significant impact and must be supervised.
• Confine the food to the activity area and prevent it from spreading around the room.
• Present food used for messy play in ways that make it appear different from how it would be presented for eating, such as using trays (small and large), adding food coloring, serving it raw or dried when it is normally cooked, etc.
• Only use food for ‘messy play’ when it serves a specific educational purpose in designated areas.
• Discourage children from eating ‘play food’ and from putting any equipment used in their mouths.
• Never leave play food overnight in the nursery:
• Wet food should be disposed of in the kitchen bin.
• Dried food should be inspected for possible reuse. If it can be reused, store it in a container labeled with the original expiry date on the packet, the date it was stored, and its contents. Then return it to the ‘play food’ cupboard for future use.

Approved Foods #

Under the age of 2 #

Here is the list of items suitable for messy play activities:

• Oats
• Rice Krispies or other appropriate cereals
• Custard
• Dyed cooked pasta
• Jelly
• Canned peas
• Instant mashed potato
• Baked beans
• Flour
• Cornflour/Gloop
• Playdough (2 cups of plain flour, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of salt, 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar, up to 1.5 cups of boiling water added gradually until it reaches the desired consistency)
• Cloud dough (4 cups of plain flour + 1 cup of vegetable oil)

Over the age of 2 #

Here is the expanded list of items suitable for messy play activities, including the additional items:

• Oats
• Rice Krispies or other suitable cereals
• Custard
• Dyed cooked pasta
• Jelly
• Canned peas
• Instant mashed potato
• Baked beans
• Flour
• Cornflour/Gloop
• Playdough (2 cups plain flour, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1/2 cup salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, up to 1.5 cups boiling water gradually added until it feels just right)
• Cloud dough (4 cups of plain flour + 1 cup of vegetable oil)
• Pulses
• Dried pasta (care must be taken with the size to avoid choking hazards)
• Ice (care must be taken with the size to avoid choking hazards)
• Raw root vegetables
• Cornflour

Breach of Policy #

Any member of staff, student or volunteer found to be in breach of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as a breach of this policy and our safeguarding policy. Any breach could result in termination of employment.

Policy Commencement and Review #

Date Commencement	Review Terms	Signed By
13/09/2023	Yearly	Jonathan Tricks, Operations Director