The Gold Standard Healthy Snack Award is open to day nurseries, Flying Start groups, playgroups, meithrins, childminders and after school clubs. This award recognises and celebrates a quality snack provision within settings and being part of the scheme shows a commitment to children’s health and encouraging good eating habits.

It shows that a setting is putting recommendations from the Welsh Government’s Food and Nutrition in Childcare Settings Best Practice Guidance in place.

To achieve the award, there is set criteria around the following: the provision of healthy snacks and drinks, a positive eating environment, food hygiene and safety. The scheme includes a higher level of the award called the Gold Standard Healthy Snack Award Plus (see below). This recognises that a minimum of one member of staff has completed and achieved the Community Food and Nutrition Skills for the Early Years Course or the Community Food and Nutrition Skills Course.