Safer Eating & Choking in Early Years 19th March 2025 2pm to 4pm

19 March 2025

14:00

Choking can be completely silent.

This practical two-hour webinar will help early years teams create safer mealtimes, understand the latest EYFS expectations and respond confidently if a baby or child begins to choke.

Why this training matters now

Safer eating is specifically addressed within the EYFS statutory framework.

From September 2026, Ofsted inspectors are expected to consider how effectively early years settings implement the statutory guidance on weaning and safer eating.

Settings need clear, consistent arrangements covering food preparation, supervision, individual feeding needs, staff responsibilities and learning from incidents.

This webinar will explain what those requirements mean in everyday practice.

What will I learn?

During this interactive session, we will cover:

· The current EYFS safer-eating requirements.

· What Ofsted may consider when looking at mealtimes and safer-eating arrangements.

· The requirement for a qualified paediatric first aider to be present while children are eating.

· How to organise safe supervision at meals and snack times.

· Why staff should sit facing children wherever possible.

· Why choking can be silent.

· Understanding individual weaning stages, textures and developmental readiness.

· Preparing food safely by considering its size, shape and texture.

· Recognising the difference between gagging, an effective cough and an ineffective cough.

· Current first-aid treatment for a choking infant or child.

· What to do if a child becomes unconscious.

· Recording choking incidents and informing parents.

· Reviewing incidents to identify patterns and prevent recurrence.

· Developing or reviewing your setting’s safer-eating policy.

Who's it for?

This webinar is suitable for:

· Nursery managers and owners.

· Early years practitioners.

· Room leaders.

· Childminders.

· Nursery cooks and catering staff.

· Apprentices and students.

· Parents and carers.

The EYFS regulatory content applies specifically to early years providers in England. However, the safer-feeding and emergency first-aid principles will also be valuable to practitioners and parents elsewhere in the UK.

Important information

This is an awareness and refresher webinar. It does not replace a regulated paediatric first-aid qualification and does not include a practical assessment of competence.