1. Why would I use it?
The purpose of the Launchpad to Quality is to
enable childcare staff:
• to take a step back from their provision and
identify any gaps
• to gain or develop skills in self-evaluation
• to identify the areas in which they are doing
well
• it can be used by childcare providers of all
levels of quality and competence
• it can prepare childcare providers for the
ESQA or East Sussex Childminding Quality
Network.
• it provides evidence for: Ofsted inspections,
NVQ Level 3
Contact information
For more information on the East Sussex
Launchpad to Quality. Please contact:
Susi Doherty, Quality Improvement Manager
01323 747421
suzanne.doherty@eastsussex.gov.uk
For East Sussex early years, playwork and
childminding providers:
All QuILC and Area Childminder Co-ordinator
details can be found in your Early Years,
Childcare and Extended Schools Service
Training Directory. You can also phone the
general office number on: 01323 747490.
Playwork providers can also contact
Diana Plummer, Quality in Play Officer
01323 747420
diana.plummer@eastussex.gov.uk
Early years providers can also contact their
local QuILC
Childminders can also contact their local Area
Childminder Co-ordinator
Introducing the
Launchpad to Quality
Childminder
Early Years
Playwork

2. It is an exciting time to work with
children. Over the past few years,
there has been a huge demand for
childcare and education provision.
With this demand comes the challenge
to ensure that these provisions are
of high quality. Research has shown
that children’s early and even later
outcomes in life are linked to the
quality of their early years provision.
High quality play experiences are
crucial to children and young people’s
healthy development and happiness.
Striving for quality is therefore now
considered an essential part of
running a successful childcare setting.
How is it used?
On each page are clear goals and a step by step guide to
support and enable a childcare provider to meet those
goals. Striving for quality should not be a bureaucratic
paper exercise - the importance is about the experience
for a child. We do recognise, however, that a huge amount
of paperwork is given to childcare providers to complete.
The Launchpad to Quality is therefore not
purely a paper-based exercise. Each Standard
is presented on a laminated card. Any actions
(ie. development points) can be jotted onto
post-it notes and put on the card as a reminder.
Actually demonstrating each Standard is met
will be a pre-requisite of receiving a certificate
of completion, but it is not necessary or
requested that this is in the form of a Portfolio
based approach. A mentor is assigned to aid
with childcare providers with the whole process
as well as to discuss how best the Launchpad
to Quality can be used in an individual
childcare provision.
What is it?
In East Sussex, we have developed support systems to help
and encourage childcare providers to continuously look at
the quality of the care, education and play experiences that
they give to our children. The first stage of this development
focuses on the need to engage in self evaluation, of
continuously looking at practice and considering how
to take it forward. That is the purpose of the
Launchpad to Quality, which is aimed to support
childcare providers on this journey of quality
improvement. There is a Launchpad to Quality
that has been developed for Childminders, one
for Early Years group care providers, and one for
Playwork providers. This being so as each type
of care has its own unique approach as well as
obvious similarities.
Divided into five Modules (Every Child Matters
Outcomes), the Launchpad to Quality is designed
to dovetail neatly into the Quality Assurance
scheme written for East Sussex providers, called
the East Sussex Quality Award (ESQA). In order
to participate in the ESQA, you must first show
evidence of completion of the Launchpad to Quality.
Childminder Version, January 2009 © ESCC
Module 1: Being Healthy : Reflection & Evidence Sheet
1.1 Healthy Eating: Providing healthy and nutritious food
Below is a list of ways in which you can provide evidence that you have taken the first steps towards Standard 1 of the Quality
Award. Make sure that you are able to show one from each of the sections. (If you are studying for an NVQ, talk to your assessor
about which of the types of evidence will also be useful for your portfolio of evidence.)
Launchpad to Quality
• A photograph of the inside of your fridge that
shows that you are storing foods correctly
• A current food hygiene certificate or other
similar proof of training
• Sources of information about food safety and
hygiene
• The EYFS Statutory Framework on p.27
with notes on how you are implementing
them
• An Ofsted report showing that you are
meeting the requirements
• A file on a variety of balanced menus
offered to the child
• Daily pictorial menu showing a balanced
diet choice for the child and their choice
recorded
• Photographic observation of the child
during snack and meal times
• Sample menus that show balanced meals and
snacks
• Photographs that show appropriate portion
size and attractively presented foods
• A policy about food e.g. snacks, meal times
and drinks
• A sample form that shows how you record
dietary information about children when
they join you
• Examples of information that you might
share with parents
• Notes that you might provide for parents
about their children’s food and drink
intake
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2 4
5
3
Childminder Version, January 2009 © ESCC
Your setting ensures that the risk of food poisoning is
minimised by having good food hygiene procedures.
Your setting has made sure that the area where
children eat, and the resources that are needed, are
attractive and safe.
Your setting ensures that children and babies are
getting the food and drink based upon the latest
nutritional guidelines for their age group.
Your setting works with parents so that children’s
specific dietary needs are met and that you share
information about what children have eaten.
• Create a policy to remind you of the do’s and
don’ts when storing, handling and preparing
food.
• Update your food hygiene knowledge by visiting
www.foodlink.org.uk or
www.cleanupfood.gov.uk
• Read p.27 of the EYFS Statutory Framework
to ensure that the staff understand the
legal requirements of providing food and
drink.
• Develop a folder that shows the types of
meals and snacks that you provide for the
children and how they are nutritionally
appropriate, but also varied.
• Observe the children as they eat. Note
whether they seem relaxed and how they
cope when new foods are introduced.
• Visit the Food Standards Agency website to
find out about the nutritional needs of children
of different ages including babies.
www.eat.gov.uk
• Develop a procedure for recording babies
and children’s dietary needs in line with
information that parents provide.
• Develop a system for parents so that
they know what their child has eaten and
drunk.
• Collect information and articles about
healthy eating for babies and children that
can be used with staff and parents.
Module 1: Being Healthy
1.1 Healthy Eating: Providing healthy and nutritious food
Food and drink is an essential part of life and living. We need to make sure that babies and children enjoy meal times
whilst also getting the food they need for their stage of development. This is important so that babies and children are
able to remain healthy, grow and develop.
Launchpad to Quality
Links
EYFS A Unique Child; Enabling
Environments; Statutory
Framework: Food & Drink
ESQA Module 1 Standard 1
NVQ3 CCLD Units 302; 304; 312; 314
DHC 1.1, 2.3
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2 4
5
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