The Role of Cooking

• Suitable for early years practitioners, childminders, nursery staff, preschool practitioners, room leaders and managers.

Cooking is about far more than preparing food. It provides rich opportunities for children to develop communication, mathematical thinking, fine motor skills, confidence and independence through meaningful, hands-on experiences. This practical course explores how cooking activities can support all areas of learning while promoting healthy lifestyles and real-life skills.

• Explain why cooking activities are valuable in early years education
• Understand how cooking supports learning across the EYFS
• Promote healthy eating, confidence and independence through practical experiences
• Create inclusive cooking activities that reflect children's needs, cultures and abilities
• Reflect on your own practice and confidently plan meaningful cooking experiences

1. 1The Value of Cooking in the Early Years
2. 2Cooking and the EYFS Areas of Learning
3. 3Cooking, Wellbeing and Healthy Attitudes to Food
4. 4Inclusion and Real-Life Learning Through Cooking
5. 5Reflecting on and Developing Practice