Nutrition

Meal Time

At mealtimes the dining table is set with plates and flatware. Everyone sits at the same table. Food is served in proportions in accordance with guidelines offered by the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Good table manners are modeled and encouraged. Weekly menus are posted for viewing by parents/caregivers. A caregiver who is trained in first-aid for choking is present at all meals.

Food prepared for or at the center will be properly planned, prepared and portioned according to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/) and the state requirements for food service.

Food

Allergies

If your child has a food allergy, including nut and tree allergies, you must notify us in writing so that we can make appropriate substitutions. The written notification should list appropriate food substitutions and must be updated at least annually. Food allergies can be life threatening and each child with a food allergy should have an action plan for emergency care completed by the child’s pediatrician or family physician in lieu of a pediatrician.

Food from home

We request that you do not bring food from home into our center unless dietary restrictions call for it, and then that it be approved as we must ensure that other children with food borne allergies are not put at risk.

infant Feeding

Infant feedings follow these procedures:

Infants will be held for bottle-feeding until able to hold his or her own bottle. Bottles will never be propped.
Infants are fed “on cue” to the extent possible (at least every 4 hours and usually not more than hourly) and by a consistent caregiver/teacher.
Breastfeeding is supported by providing a place for nursing mothers to feed their babies. Expressed breast milk Page 17 may be brought from home if frozen or kept cold during transit. All breast milk and formula shall be returned to the child’s home or discarded at the end of each day. Previously frozen, thawed breast milk must be used within 24 hours. Bottles must be clearly labeled with the child’s name and the date and time the milk was expressed.
Breast milk and formula brought from home must be dated and labeled with the child’s name.  Labels on all milk/formula containers should be resistant to loss of the name and date/time when washing and handling.
Solid foods will only be introduced after consultation with the child’s family

Children

24 months and older

No child shall go more than 4 hours without a meal or snack being provided.
Children are encouraged to self-feed to the extent that they have the skills. Children are encouraged, but not forced to eat a variety of foods.
Round, firm foods that pose a choking hazard for children less than 4 years of age are not permitted. These foods include: hot dogs, whole grapes, peanuts, popcorn, thickly spread peanut butter and hard candy.