Food Safety Level 1 - Essentials

Master the core principles of food hygiene to support a healthy childcare setting.
Learn the best ways to handle, store, and serve food safely, ensuring children’s
safety and confidence in your care.

Equipping You in Food Safety and Hygiene

Build a Strong Foundation in Food Safety

Gain essential knowledge in food safety practices tailored to early years settings. Learn how to prevent foodborne illnesses through effective handwashing, surface cleaning, and safe food storage.

Master Personal Hygiene and Safe Food Handling

Develop practical skills in personal hygiene and safe food handling, including best practices for storing and preparing food. Create a clean, safe environment that supports children’s health.

Minimise Choking Hazards in Mealtime Preparation

Learn techniques to reduce choking risks with age-appropriate food preparation methods, from safe cutting practices to mindful serving. Ensure children’s safety during meal and snack times.

Prevent
Cross-Contamination

Understand how to organise food storage and preparation areas to prevent cross-contamination, ensuring that raw and ready-to-eat foods remain safe and separate.

Foster a Hygienic Eating Environment for Children

Equip yourself with methods to maintain clean and hygienic snack and meal areas. Discover effective routines for cleaning utensils, highchairs, and tables to keep children healthy.

Ensure Compliance with Food Safety Standards

Stay informed on food safety regulations and best practices in early years settings, meeting required standards to protect children and build parental confidence.

Course Information

How To
Course Modules
Duration
Assessments
Disclaimer

Step 1
Click the 'Launch Course' button to begin your learning journey. Work through all the course content at your own pace, ensuring you fully understand each section. Don’t forget to complete and pass each module’s assessment. Once you’ve successfully completed all the modules, your course progress will show as 100% completed.

Step 2
Congratulations on completing the course! Your next step is to click the 'Feedback Form' button. Take a moment to share your thoughts on the course. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve the learning experience for future users.

Step 3
You’ve now unlocked your personalised certificate! Click the 'View Certificate' button below to access and download your certificate. Celebrate your achievement by sharing it with your employer or adding it to your professional records.

This course is designed to take approximately 90 minutes to complete, though the actual time may vary depending on how deeply you engage with the material. Everyone learns at their own pace, so take the time you need to fully understand each concept.


Time Breakdown:

Module 1 should take around 30 minutes to complete.

Module 2 should take around 30 minutes to complete.

Module 3 should take around 30 minutes to complete.

To get the most out of this course, focus on absorbing the content rather than rushing through it. Reflect on the material, take notes, and think about how you can apply these insights to your daily practice. Meaningful learning is about understanding and growth, not just finishing quickly.

To successfully complete this course, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on the final assessments at the end of each module. This course has 3 modules so there are 3 assessments. The landing page of each assessment will give further details. This pass mark ensures that you’ve understood the core concepts and are prepared to confidently apply them in practice.

You’re not limited to a single attempt - feel free to take the assessments as many times as you need to achieve your best result. Each assessment includes built-in feedback to help you reflect on your answers and deepen your understanding.

If you encounter any questions or need additional support, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or clarification as you progress through the course. Remember, the assessments are designed to support your learning journey, not to cause stress. Take your time and aim for mastery!
All our courses are regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest statutory guidance, legislation, and best practices in early years education. However, it is the responsibility of individual practitioners and organisations to ensure the training meets the specific requirements of their Local Authority or regulatory body. Local policies and procedures may differ, and additional training may be required to fully comply with their standards.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the course content, we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors resulting from practitioners misinterpreting or failing to apply the guidance provided. Practitioners are expected to act within the boundaries of their role and adhere to professional and organisational guidelines at all times.

We maintain the integrity and validity of our courses by continually updating content to reflect changes in legislation, policies, and procedures. This course also includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and credible.

Module 1: Introduction to Food Safety and Hygiene

This module introduces the fundamental concepts of food safety and hygiene in childcare settings. It emphasises the importance of maintaining clean and safe food environments to protect children’s health and well-being. Practitioners will explore essential practices and strategies to create a safe and nurturing food-handling environment.

Module 2: Basic Hygiene and Personal Safety
This module focuses on the essential hygiene practices and safety measures needed to minimise risks in food handling. It provides practical guidance on maintaining cleanliness and ensuring personal safety during food preparation. Practitioners will develop skills to implement effective hygiene routines and manage potential hazards.

Module 3: Safe Food Handling and Choking Prevention
This module addresses safe food handling techniques and choking prevention strategies. It provides actionable steps to ensure meals are age-appropriate and safe for young children. Through practical approaches, practitioners will learn to handle food safely and minimise risks during mealtime.

Our students tell us  

"This course gave me the confidence to ensure food safety in my workplace. I feel better equipped to protect myself and others."
— Jessica M., Office Manager
"Clear, concise, and informative. The food safety knowledge I gained from this course is invaluable!"
— Steven R., Care Facility Cook