Child Care Food Program
Child Care Nutrition Policies
Good nutrition is vital to children's physical and mental development. These child care nutrition policies have been designed to encourage the development of good eating habits that will last a lifetime.
Meals and Snacks
Due to our desire to promote your child's health through good nutrition, Amy & Kids Co. is a member of the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and follows the guidelines of the CACFP for all meals and snacks. A variety of nutritionally balanced, high quality foods are prepared and served on the premises each day. Meals are served family style; each child is encouraged to serve him or herself, and to try each food that is offered. In order to limit our time in the kitchen away from the children and to promote healthy eating habits, food is available only at scheduled times and children who choose to not eat will need to wait until the next scheduled meal or snack. Meal times are scheduled so that no child will go more than three hours without being offered food. Meal times are 9:00-9:30, 12:00-12:45, and 3:30-4:00. If your child is absent during a scheduled meal, it is your responsibility to feed him/her before he/she arrives. Although we realize that fast food is convenient, please do not bring your child with a fast food meal or drink as this undermines our efforts to provide healthy foods to the children.
Special Diet
Sometimes a child requires a special diet due to allergies, food sensitivities, or other circumstances. If your child needs a special diet, we will make reasonable adjustments to our menu in order to accommodate his/her needs. If you choose to send meals to Amy & Kids Co, the meal must follow USDA nutrition guidelines, which we will supply to you. If your child is not able to follow the Food Program nutrition guidelines due to special dietary needs, we are required to have a written doctor's order to follow. Please do not send gum, candy or other foods to Amy & Kids Co. unless prior arrangements are made.
Special Treats
Birthday and holiday treats help make these days even more special for our children. Although we greatly appreciate it when parents send in treats, it is not necessary. If you wish to send a special birthday or holiday treat please speak to us ahead of time so we won't plan a treat and end up with double treats. If you are unable to send a birthday treat, we will provide one so we can all celebrate your child's birthday with him/her.
Weekly Menus
The menu for each week is posted on the bulletin board by the cubbies. Each menu is designed to provide a wide variety of foods that are different in color, shape, size and texture. Menus are planned to include foods each week that are new or unfamiliar, the children's favorites, culturally diverse, and seasonally appropriate. Menus are rotated on a six-week basis to provide the children with a balance of variety and familiarity. Past menus are not kept, however the Food Program forms are kept on file.