Childminders
Food hygiene certificate for childminders and nursery staff
Make and serve children's meals and snacks safely, and keep a record of your food hygiene training for Ofsted.
Level 2, UK version: £12 per person, online 24 hours a day. Module 1 is free before you pay.
What the rules say
For childminders working from home, nursery and pre-school staff, nannies and breakfast or after-school clubs. Each point links to the page it comes from.
- The EYFS statutory framework requires that the people who prepare and handle food for children are competent to do so.[1]
- Childminders must tell Ofsted, or their childminder agency, about any food poisoning affecting two or more children in their care, as soon as reasonably practicable and within 14 days.[1]
- UK food law says food handlers must be supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in line with their work. It does not require a certificate or a particular training provider.[2][3]
- If you provide meals or snacks, check with your council whether you need to register as a food business.[4]
What the course covers for your work
- The 14 allergens and how to stop cross-contact, in a full module
- Safe temperatures for cooking, cooling, reheating and the fridge
- Handwashing, and when to stay away from food when you are ill
- Storing and labelling food, and use-by dates
7 modules with a short video and a quiz each, about 2 to 3 hours in total. The final exam has 30 questions in 45 minutes. Pass and download a PDF certificate with a QR code that anyone can check.
Which course and how much
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| Level 2 food hygiene | £12 (£10 + VAT) |
| Level 2 + allergen awareness | £18 |
Training a team? Team packs cost less per person and come with a dashboard and training records.
Sources
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework (Department for Education on GOV.UK, framework for childminders)
- Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter XII (Training) (legislation.gov.uk, revised version, last amended 31 December 2020)
- Running a food business: Staff training, illness and hygiene (GOV.UK, updated 30 January 2025)
- Food business registration (Food Standards Agency on GOV.UK, no date shown)
The certificate confirms completion of training. It is not a regulated qualification, and HygieneReady is not approved or endorsed by the FSA or Food Standards Scotland.
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Frequently asked questions
Do childminders need a food hygiene certificate?
The EYFS framework asks that whoever prepares and handles food for children is competent to do so, and food law asks for training in food hygiene. Neither names a certificate or a provider. A course with a certificate is a simple way to do the training and show Ofsted a record of it.
Will Ofsted accept an online course?
Ofsted looks at whether you are competent to handle food safely; it does not approve training providers. Our certificate confirms you completed the training and passed the exam. It is not a regulated qualification, so if your local authority or agency asks for a specific course, check with them first.
Is an online food hygiene course enough?
UK law asks for training in food hygiene in line with the work, and the FSA lists self-study among the ways to train. It does not require a classroom course or a particular provider. Our certificate confirms you completed the training and passed the exam; it is not a regulated qualification, and HygieneReady is not approved by the FSA.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Level 2 costs £12 per person (£10 + VAT), with the certificate included, or £18 with allergen awareness. The course takes about 2 to 3 hours. The final exam has 30 questions and you pass with 21; retakes are free.