Food Business Registration

An update for NCMA members and staff September 2006

As you will have read in the last edition of Who Minds? NCMA has been working with the Foods Standards Agency (FSA), the DfES, Ofsted and other associated government bodies to find a way to simplify how registered childminders can register as food businesses.

This work began early in 2005, in the hope that we would have the answer before the new European legislation that removed the previous exemption from registration for childminders, became law in January 2006.

As it is taking longer than envisaged for the government departments to resolve issues around data protection and date transfer, many childminders are being asked to register with their local Environmental Health Department (EHD). Some Early Years Departments/CIS have liaised with their local EHDs and they have had no problems.

However, in other areas childminders are being sent inappropriate forms to complete and are being told that they must undertake food hygiene training, or make expensive changes to their working environment. It is being suggested that their businesses could be closed down if they do not comply. Although it is good practice, there is no requirement to undertake any food hygiene training. Free or inexpensive courses may be available in the local area, and courses are available on the internet at a charge.

Where an EHD is asking childminders to register, childminders might ask the EHD to check with Colin Clifford of the FSA if agreement has been reached for the registration process to be completed as part of Ofsted registration.

If the forms used by the EHD are inappropriate to childminding, NCMA would welcome sample copies to share with the FSA. (please send to NCMA, Royal Court, 81 Tweedy Road, Bromley, BR1 1TG for the attention of Marje Paling). If you consider that you are being asked to make unreasonable changes to your working environment, again, please contact NCMA for advice.

To summarise.

If childminders are asked to register as a Food Business, they should do so.

• Since January 2006 there has been a requirement for childminders to register as

food businesses.

• Food hygiene training is not a requirement, although Ofsted may make it an action

if there has been a concern that childminders are not complying with their national

standards for health and safety.

• You can contact NCMA for advice if you feel you are being asked to make

unreasonable or disproportionate changes to your working environment.

Marje Paling

Director, Development and Support England.