This practical book is useful both for inspection preparation and helping to promote the ongoing importance of personal responsibility and commitment to children's safety and well-being. It condenses management and safeguarding issues by bringing together food safety, health and safety legislation and the welfare requirements within the revised Early Years Foundation Stage 2014. It outlines the importance of complying with legal responsibilities and discussing the outcomes of failing to comply. This helps to prioritise safeguarding through knowledge of the inspection process.

The book focuses on raising awareness and promoting a culture of safety to try and prevent accidents, incidents and food poisoning outbreaks in settings. It provides advice and guidance on how to improve quality, gradings, and food hygiene rating scores. It also outlines the importance of taking ownership, being confident and familiar with the inspection process by giving a broad overview and easy to follow format on topics to prompt staff discussions, reflection, and further individual research. This book is a must have for all staff working within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and could be used for training, workshops and professional discussions.

Bernadina Laverty is an early years/childcare consultant and freelance inspector. She has 18 years of inspection experience, covering the full range of early year's provisions. She has a variety of childcare experience having worked in nurseries, schools, a residential unit and with a local authority early years' service. She has devised and delivered training, both in-house and as a National Vocational Qualification tutor and assessor. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies. She has particular interests in improving quality and health and safety in the early years.

Catherine Reay is an environmental health professional working as a freelance consultant. She has 25 years' experience in health and safety and food safety disciplines. She has worked in both the public and private sectors. Catherine has extensive experience in auditing health and safety systems and in accident investigation. She has devised and delivered bespoke health and safety training and health and safety systems across business sectors including the service and manufacturing industries. She is a member of, and a registered tutor with, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Officers. She has a Diploma in Environmental Health and Management Studies. She is committed to providing practical health and safety guidance to this sector.