Setting the Table Guidance: Nutritional Technical Working Group Report

1. Background

Setting the Table (STT) is a guidance document which provides standards for food and drink provision within early learning and childcare provision in Scotland. The guidance aims to ensure that children aged 0–5 years in childcare settings across Scotland are offered meals, snacks and drinks that meet their nutritional requirements and are conducive to good health. The guidance was first published in 2015, however a summary of major amendments was added in 2018 to reflect policy changes and evidence updates at that time.

The Scottish Government (SG) led a review of the STT guidance to ensure that it provides the most up to date, evidence-based advice and guidance for the sector. As part of this, a Technical Working Group was convened with the remit to review the nutrient, food and drink standards for children aged 1 up to 5 years. SG were responsible for leading the review of all other areas of the STT guidance.

The revised nutrient, food and drink standards reflect a number of recommendations published by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) since 2015 on Carbohydrates and Health, Saturated Fats and Health and Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years. They are also intended to support achievement of the Scottish Dietary Goals, which describe, in nutritional terms, the diet that will improve and support the health of the Scottish population.

Sample menus were created and nutritionally analysed to ensure that the nutrient, food and drink standards could be met. These sample menus have been included within the updated STT guidance.