Tiny Tums Best Practice Award

The early years and childhood are a crucial period for development and provide an important foundation for a child’s future and wellbeing. Childcare providers are in an ideal position to help shape eating habits and to support children to eat well.

Eating well in the first five years of life is essential for growth and physical and mental development, as well as for a child’s future health. You can be confident that a Tiny Tums accredited childcare setting will provide your child with nutritious food in the right amounts and in an environment that will encourage them to develop positive attitudes to food.

Choosing the right childcare can feel overwhelming. The decision might depend on considerations such as location and cost. If you also want it to be somewhere that provides quality and nutritious food for healthy growth and development of your child, why not take a look at the Tiny Tums Best Practice register?

Tiny Tums is awarded following rigorous assessment against the current Welsh Government Best Practice Guidance for Food and Nutrition for Childcare Settings (2018). These recommended standards also enable a childcare provider to meet quality standards for nutrition required by Care Inspectorate Wales and the Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme.

Achieving the Tiny Tums Best Practice Award could not be simpler. Local Public Health Dietitians will assess your menu and food policy against criteria based on Welsh Government Best Practice Guidance: Food & Nutrition for Childcare Settings (2018). A Tiny Tums assessor will provide all the help and support needed to make any changes required in order for you to become an accredited Tiny Tums setting.

Tiny Tums is a Best Practice award for Early Years childcare providers in North Wales.

The award, managed by NHS Public Health Dietitians, recognises and rewards excellence in childcare settings for providing food and drink that meets Welsh Government guidance.

There are two separate award categories: one for food and nutrition for 1-4 year olds and a new extension award for 0-1 years.

If you have any questions about the Tiny Tums Best Practice Award, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Public Health Dietetic Team.