Standard of the Month (September)

The Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Care Health & Safety has a very long manual called, Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers.  In it are all the rules and regulations that this school must follow.  Each month, I will point out a standard that is critical to the smooth running of the center.  This month I am going to discuss the standard relating to providing food services.

8VAC20-780-560. Nutrition and food services.  

F. When centers choose to provide meals or snacks, the following shall apply:

1. Centers shall follow the most recent, age-appropriate nutritional requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

2. Children shall be allowed second helpings of food listed in the USDA's child and adult care meal patterns.

3. Centers offering both meals and snacks shall serve a variety of nutritious foods and shall serve at least three sources of vitamin A and at least three sources of vitamin C on various days each week.

4. Children three years of age or younger may not be offered foods that are considered to be potential choking hazards.

5. A menu listing foods to be served for meals and snacks during the current one-week period shall:

a. Be dated;

b. Be posted in a location conspicuous to parents or given to parents;

c. List any substituted food; and

d. Be kept on file for one week at the center.

6. Powdered milk shall not be used except for cooking.

Here at Cuddlebugs, we provide morning snack (9am), lunch (12pm), and afternoon snack (2:45pm) at no extra charge beginning at the age of 1 year.  We send home our menu monthly and it is posted on our Communication Board as well.  To receive the snack/meal, your child must arrive prior to the start of the snack/meal.  If you child arrives after the start of the snack/meal, you must make sure that your child has received that snack/meal prior to coming in the building.  If your child has any allergies or special dietary needs, we ask that you speak with Ms. Sara about the menu upon enrollment and we will discuss how we can work with you to provide these services for your child.

Our menu is designed to avoid many processed foods and provide the children with new food experiences.  While at this time we cannot avoid them all, Ms. Ashley & Ms. Sara strive to provide a variety of foods that are nutritious and wholesome.  As always, if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sara.