Oral health 

The setting provides care for children and promotes health through promoting oral health and hygiene, encouraging healthy eating, healthy snacks and tooth brushing.

• Fresh drinking water is available at all times and easily accessible.

• Sugary drinks are not served.

• In partnership with parents, babies are introduced to an open free-flowing cup at 6 months and from 12 months are discouraged from using a bottle.

• Water and milk are served with morning and afternoon snacks, occasionally low sugar hot chocolate and milkshake

• Children are offered healthy nutritious snacks with no added sugar.

• Parents are discouraged from sending in confectionery as a snack or treat.

• Staff follow the Infant & Toddler Forum’s Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers.

Where children clean their teeth at the setting:

• Children are encouraged to brush their teeth as part of the daily routine. We clean our teeth as a group around 1.15/1:30pm each day using our toothbrush prop as a guide on how to clean our teeth.

• Each child has their own toothbrush and cup which is stored away hygienically to prevent accidental contact and cross contamination.

• Each child should have their own toothpaste provided by parents/carers to prevent cross contamination. Staff will wash their hands before applying toothpaste on to toothbrushes. Toothpaste lids are checked daily that they are clean. 

• Children who use the ‘Montessori’ shared toothpaste, staff will apply toothpaste ensuring the nib does not come into contact with the brush- nib and cap to be cleaned daily. 

• Toothbrushes are cleaned at each session and sterilised after each use, in Milton or similar disinfecting fluid. 

• Toothbrushes are changed every three months and provided by parents.

• Oral hygiene activities are included in planning every three months when toothbrushes are changed. 

• The setting coordinates with local oral health and ensures procedures are reviewed regularly, additional guidance from the local team may be added to this procedure. 

Pacifiers/dummies

• Parents are advised to stop using dummies/pacifiers once their child is 12 months old. 

• Dummies that are damaged are disposed of and parents are told that this has happened

Further guidance

Infant & Toddler Forum: Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers www.infantandtoddlerforum.org/toddlers-to-preschool/healthy-eating/ten-steps-for-healthy-toddlers/