Useful information for early years providers

This key information is taken from a number of websites including to assist early years providers to develop practice and knowledge to support children's learning, care and well-being.

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• How I learn and grow How I learn and grow | Shropshire Council

Learning happens everywhere and all the time for babies, toddlers and pre-schooler children. Your child’s experiences in these early years lay the foundation for their learning in later years. Sending your child to school may seem a long way off but the more opportunities you can provide for children to play and learn the better prepared they'll be when the time comes. 

• Food and drink

NEW updated EYFS nutrition guidance for group and school-based providers and childminders in England (April 2025). This guidance will support providers how to understand how to implement existing requirement that states:"Where children are provided with meals, snacks and drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious". Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance

Guidance on nutrition including introducing solid foods, understanding how to put together a healthy balanced diet, managing allergies, menu planning and planning food activities with children can be found at: Help for early years providers : Nutrition

Information on how hygiene and safe food preparation practices protect children can be found at: Help for early years providers : Food safety

Further information on how sensory food education can help young children engage with food can be found at: Help for early years providers : Sensory food education

• Internet safety

Information on how screen use impacts young children and how it can benefit them in early years settings Help for early years providers : Internet safety

• Key person

Further information on the importance of the key person can be found at: Help for early years providers : Mental health for early years children

• Oral health

Guidance on how to promote good health to young children in your setting Help for early years providers : Oral health

• Sleeping arrangements

Information on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - NHS and how to reduce the risks of SIDS Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - NHS

• Toilet training

Information and guidance on how to support babies and young children with toilet training Help for early years providers : Toilet training