Children in Scotland is backing an initial report from the government's Communities Committee recommending the Scottish Executive expand the bill to cover the whole early years sector. Only maintained nurseries are so far included in the bill, which places a duty on local councils to regulate health and nutrition in schools.
Education minister Hugh Henry told a committee meeting that the Care Commission inspections cover health and nutrition adequately. 'I will reflect on whether we will need to do more at a later stage, but I do not underestimate the significance of the Care Commission's intervention or the implications of providers' failure to meet the required standards,' he added.
Paula Evans, policy and parliamentary information officer at Children in Scotland, said, 'It makes no sense for the Executive to talk of culture change in Scotland's eating habits and then to produce a bill that excludes the pre-school sector. Eating patterns and tastes are already developed by the time children go to primary school.
'Healthy eating is about more than nutritional standards.We welcome an additional emphasis on health promotion and a more holistic approach to food education that is more in line with the rest of Europe.'