How can a childcare provider apply for the Tiny Tums Best Practice Award?

Complete the Tiny Tums Best Practice Award application form to inform your local Public Health Dietetic team that you would like to become a Tiny Tums accredited childcare provider. Alternatively, simply send an email to express your interest in the scheme.

To become a Tiny Tums accredited childcare provider a minimum of one staff member needs to attend and complete the Agored Cymru accredited Level 2 Community Food and Nutrition Skills for the Early Years Course, If a member of staff has already obtained this accreditation, they will need to keep up to date with attendance at refresher sessions.

To become a Tiny Tums accredited childcare provider a minimum of one staff member needs to attend and complete the BCUHB Eating Well for Pre-School Children Course (also known as Tiny Tums Snack Training). Eating well for pre-school children course information is available here, If a member of staff has already attended this training, they will need to keep up to date with attendance at refresher sessions.

To meet Tiny Tums Best Practice criteria the setting is required to develop a minimum of 3 weeks of seasonal menus that meet nutrition standards. Do not worry if your menus need some work to achieve this requirement because your Tiny Tums assessor will help and support throughout.

The healthy eating/food and drink policy for your setting is a plan of action to ensure that everyone follows best practice and the approach to food and drink provision with children is consistent. A Tiny Tums accredited setting must have an active food and drink policy which supports key practices such as creating a positive eating environment.

Upon satisfying all mandatory standards, the childcare provider receives the Tiny Tums Best Practice award, which is valid for a 3-year period. Tiny Tums accredited childcare providers are listed on the Tiny Tums register.

Childcare providers can display a Tiny Tums Best Practice accreditation on Dewis Cymru. If the setting has registered with Dewis Cymru, your Tiny Tums assessor will update your records. Prospective families will then see that your setting provides optimal food and drink for children.

Towards the expiry date of an award the setting will be contacted to start the re-accreditation process. Staff will be invited to attend refresher training if required. Menus and policies will be reassessed against current guidance.