Mealtimes are a key part of every child’s day. They support not only nutrition, but also wellbeing, relationships, independence and learning. Creating safe, positive and inclusive mealtime experiences is a professional responsibility.
This comprehensive, CPD-accredited course on Setting the Table is designed specifically for Early Learning and Childcare practitioners working in Scottish settings. It provides the knowledge, confidence and practical tools needed to support healthy eating, prevent choking, and create calm, nurturing mealtime environments in line with current Scottish guidance and Care Inspectorate expectations.
Learners will explore how to apply Setting the Table in everyday practice, including safe food preparation, responsive feeding, and promoting positive eating behaviours without pressure. The course also supports practitioners to understand and manage risk, meet safeguarding responsibilities, and demonstrate high-quality, inspection-ready practice.
Why This Course Matters
Mealtimes are central to children’s health, wellbeing and development. In Early Learning and Childcare settings, practitioners play a key role in ensuring that mealtimes are safe, inclusive and positive experiences for every child.
This course goes beyond theory. It focuses on real-world Early Years practice, everyday routines, and practical strategies for supporting children at mealtimes, including managing risk, preventing choking, and promoting positive relationships with food.
It is aligned with current Scottish guidance and best practice, including:
Setting the Table (Scottish Government)
Care Inspectorate expectations
Realising the Ambition: Being Me
Health and Social Care Standards
You will leave with practical confidence, not just knowledge.
What You Will Learn
Throughout 5 structured lessons, you will cover:
- The importance of nutrition for babies and young children
- How to apply Setting the Table in everyday Early Learning and Childcare practice
- Identifying and reducing mealtime risks, including choking hazards
- Safe food preparation and effective supervision at mealtimes
- Supporting responsive feeding and recognising children’s cues
- Promoting positive eating behaviours without pressure
- Encouraging children’s independence and confidence at mealtimes
- Creating calm, inclusive and supportive mealtime environments
- Adapting practice to meet individual dietary, cultural and medical needs
- The role of policies, risk assessments and staff training
- Working in partnership with parents and carers
- Practical strategies you can apply immediately in your setting
Designed for Early Years Professionals
This course is suitable for:
- Nursery practitioners
- Childminders
- Early Years apprentices
- Room leaders and managers
- Playworkers
- Support workers and teaching assistants
- Anyone supporting children’s health, wellbeing and development in Scottish Early Learning and Childcare settings
No prior knowledge or qualification in nutrition or food safety is required.
Interactive and Practical Learning
✔ Short lesson videos with clear, practical guidance
✔ Interactive activities and knowledge checks
✔ Reflective tasks to apply learning to your own setting
✔ Final 10-question assessment (80% pass mark)
✔ Instant CPD certificate on successful completion
The course is fully online, mobile-friendly, and self-paced — allowing you to complete your training at a time that suits you.
Accreditation and CPD
This course is worth 1 CPD credit and demonstrates continued professional development in health, wellbeing, and safe mealtime practice within Early Learning and Childcare.
It supports inspection readiness, professional accountability, and confidence in delivering safe, inclusive and positive mealtime experiences in line with Scottish guidance and Care Inspectorate expectations.
Protect Children. Protect Yourself. Protect Your Setting.
Supporting safe, positive mealtimes is everyone’s responsibility but confidence comes from knowing you are doing it safely, consistently and in line with best practice.
Enrol today and strengthen your knowledge, safe practice and professional confidence in supporting healthy, inclusive and nurturing mealtime experiences within Scottish Early Learning and Childcare settings.
