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Course overview

This online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Early Years course covers the essential aspects of food hygiene and safety during the preparation, handling and serving of food for young children in nurseries and other early years settings. It addresses a wide range of topics, including food safety threats, hazard recognition, virus mitigation strategies, the maintenance of staff and personal hygiene, protocols for cleaning and disinfection, pest control measures and an introduction to both Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and the laws governing food preparation.

This course is suitable for all non-supervisory food handlers who work in an early years setting. For childminders, we recommend our online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Childminders course, which addresses specific situations you may encounter in a childminder’s setting.

We recommend complementing this course with our online Food Allergen Awareness Training. It delves deeper into the nuances of food allergies and allergens, offering comprehensive insights that are essential for ensuring optimal food safety and customer wellbeing.

We offer a discounted online Training Bundle for Early Years. This bundle includes this course, as well as our online Safeguarding in Early Years course. If you have a specific training need and would like a custom bundle of courses, please contact our customer services team.

  • Developed by food hygiene and safety professionals
  • In line with the latest food handling legal requirements
  • Assured by RoSPA and accredited by The CPD Group
  • Accepted by Local Authorities
  • Specific food hygiene scenarios and content for early years settings
  • Supported by a dedicated customer service team
  • Fully online and instant access 24/7
  • Use any device with internet access
  • Stop and restart at any point
  • Automated reminders when training is due for renewal
  • Free retakes if needed
  • Manage and track your course progress if you coordinate team training

Bulk buy discounts

Number of courses: Price per course (excl VAT)
1 to 9 £15.00
10 to 19£13.50
20 to 49£12.75
50 to 74£12.00
75 to 99£11.25
100+£10.50

Volume discount applied at checkout

What you will learn

This online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Early Years course helps individuals working in early years settings meet their legal food handling requirements and follow proper food safety practices.

By the end of the course you will be able to:
 

  • Understand the fundamental principles of food hygiene and safety.
  • Identify and mitigate common food hazards.
  • Maintain personal hygiene in food handling and preparation areas.
  • Distinguish and appropriately apply various cleaning and disinfection methods in early years settings.
  • Recognise the factors of food poisoning and methods to prevent it.
  • Implement pest prevention measures.
  • Adhere to food safety regulations.

Modules

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1. Introduction

In this introductory module, you’ll learn the fundamentals of food hygiene, including the definition of key terms like ‘food handler’. It will also cover the relevant laws for food handlers and explore both the negative repercussions of inadequate food hygiene and the advantages of adhering to food hygiene best practices.

2. Common Food Hazards

In this module, we will look into potential hazards that can arise during food preparation, focusing on four primary categories of hazards. We will then explore the risks posed by bacteria and highlight key allergens, emphasising their role in ensuring food safety in early years settings, along with the importance of understanding safe temperatures for cooking and storing food.

3. Virus Control

Inadequate hygiene practices can be a factor in virus transmission and emphasises the importance of maintaining good hygiene to prevent virus spread. This module explores strategies for preventing viral contamination, examining both individual and broader food service contexts.

4. Food Poisoning and Prevention

Food poisoning is not only unpleasant but can also be life-threatening, particularly for young children. If you are involved in food preparation for early years settings, it is essential to understand how food can be dangerous, recognise the typical symptoms of food poisoning and understand the preventative measures that can be taken.

5. Staff Hygiene

Having clean hands and uncontaminated clothing can go a long way towards preventing hygiene issues. This module looks at what cleaning methods should be applied and when it is important to maintain personal hygiene. Other considerations such as protective clothing and staff hygiene rules will also be mentioned.

6. Cleaning and Disinfection

In this module, we explore techniques for cleaning and disinfecting spaces where food is prepared and stored. Utilising the right cleaning agents and materials is vital in promoting a safe food environment. We will look at the significance of adhering to cleaning schedules and implementing a phased cleaning process.

7. Pests

A pest infestation can be not only annoying but also a serious health risk, potentially leading to the shutdown of an early years setting. In this module, we will identify common pests and offer strategies to minimise the risk of infestation.

8. The Law and HACCP

This final module focuses on the crucial topic of food safety management. During inspections, inspectors like to see well-maintained and current records of your food safety practices, demonstrating control over potential hazards. This module guides you in fulfilling your legal obligations and outlines the potential penalties for non-compliance.

Who is this course for?

  • Nursery workers
  • Early years practitioners
  • Preschool staff
  • Playgroup workers

This online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Early Years course is designed for anyone looking after children in an early years setting, including volunteers. We offer a specialised course, our online Food Hygiene and Safety for Childminders course, which focuses on specific scenarios within a childminder’s setting.

Certification

This online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Early Years course is assured by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and accredited by The CPD Group.

Upon successful completion of this online course, you’ll be sent a personalised digital certificate as a PDF, enabling you to download and print it.

You can access a copy, reprint or download this certificate on our LMS (Learning Management System). This is your proof that you have been trained in food hygiene best practices and achieved compliance. The certificates include a verification number so anybody can authenticate the certificate’s legitimacy.

Our certifications include a renewal date but there is no legal requirement to renew your training and certificate within a specific timeframe. However, we do recommend that you arrange refresher training after 2 years as food hygiene and safety guidance does change. You should update your food hygiene and safety knowledge and skills regularly.

Certificate sample
RoSPA logo 2024/26
The CPD Group accredited logo for Level 2 Catering

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need a food hygiene training course if I work in an early years setting?

If you are involved in preparing food for children as part of your job, you will likely be required to have the appropriate training in food hygiene and safety, such as one of our online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety courses.

Is this course specific to the early years sector?

Yes, this online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Early Years course is designed for professionals who work in an early years setting, such as nurseries and preschools.  While the core content covers the fundamental food hygiene best practices, we tailor the course with scenarios and insights specific to the early years’ environment to ensure a relatable and interesting learning experience.

Why is food hygiene important in an early years settings?

As an early years practitioner, ensuring the well-being of children in your care is important. It is essential to prioritise food hygiene because children are more susceptible to illnesses compared to adults. Proper food handling practices including understanding food allergens and maintaining good hygiene can ensure the food and drink that is served is safe.

Undertaking food hygiene training helps in adhering to food safety standards, fostering a culture of safety among staff and promoting a healthy environment. Moreover, it aids in reducing food waste, thereby enhancing profitability. This holistic approach not only ensures compliance with legislation but also nurtures a safe and healthy space for children.

How can I show parents and carers that I have passed an online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety course?

Yes, after you have completed the course and passed the final assessment, you’ll be able to download a personalised digital certificate that you can print and show to parents and carers as evidence that you have completed your training and achieved compliance in food safety best practices.

Is this course suitable for childminders?

We suggest childminders choose our online Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Childminders course. While all our Level 2 courses cover essential food hygiene and safety standards, this course is tailored to provide specific scenarios encountered in a childminder’s role.

How it works

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Purchase

Add the course(s) to the basket, check out and pay

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Learn

Work through the course modules at a time convenient for you

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Assess

Complete the final multiple-choice assessment

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Certify

Download your certificate on completion