Child Care Nutrition

Good nutrition is vital to children's physical and mental development. We have developed child care nutrition policies in our program to encourage the development of good eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Meals and Snacks Promote Child Care Nutrition

Child Care Nutrition - Serving Self Due to our desire to promote your child's health and provide good child care nutrition, Amy & Kids Co. has been a member of the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) since 2001. We follow the child care nutrition 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.

Child Care Nutrition is Routine

In order to limit our time away from the children and to promote healthy eating habits, food is available only at scheduled times. Children who choose not to eat will need to wait until the next scheduled meal or snack. Meal and snack times are planned so that no child will go more than three hours without being offered food. Scheduled 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 or snack 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 teach healthy habits to the children.

Child Care Nutrition Considers Special Diets

Child Care Nutrition - Veggies Sometimes a child requires a special diet due to allergies, food sensitivities, or other circumstances. We are experienced in reading ingredient lists for allergens and accommodating special diets without compromising nutrition. If your child needs a special diet we will make reasonable adjustments to our menu in order to accommodate his/her needs. If you prefer 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 child care 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, snacks, or other foods to Amy & Kids Co. unless prior arrangements are made.

Child Care Nutrition can Include Special Treats

Child Care Nutrition - Birthday A well-balanced child care nutrition plan includes occasional treats, and what better time for treats than a birthday or holiday? Special birthday or holiday treats help make these days even more special for our children! We very much appreciate it when parents send in treats, but it is not necessary. If you wish to send a special birthday or holiday treat please let us know 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 together.

Our Weekly Menus Promote Child Care Nutrition

Child Care Nutrition - Bread Our weekly menus are carefully planned to follow child care nutrition guidelines at every meal. Each menu is designed to provide a wide variety of nutritious foods that are different in color, shape, size and texture. All of our child care menus include foods that are new or different, 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. Menus are adapted to incorporate fresh in-season produce and special foods that fit our current curriculum. Food Program forms are kept on file, however weekly menus are not kept.