Nutrition Policy

We participate in the Association for Child Development Food Program (ACD) and we educate the children regarding the MyPlate guidelines for healthy eating. We offer breakfast, lunch and two snacks per day. If your child is in care during these serving times, they will be offered a variety of healthy, nutritional foods. We will do our very best to accommodate all food allergies and special dietary needs. In some cases, a doctor’s note may be required to meet the ACD guidelines.

In an effort to provide the best possible nutrition and physical activity environment for the children in our facility, we have adopted the following policies. We greatly appreciate support from parents in promoting the health of our children. Please see our Daily Schedule for meal and snack times.

Please click here for a sample of a weekly menu.

Breast Feeding
Please see out Breast Feeding policy here.

Fruits and Vegetables

• We offer fruit to children at least twice a day.
• We only offer fruit canned in its own juice (no syrups), fresh, or frozen.
• We offer vegetables, meats, fats, and grains daily.
• We offer fried or pre-fried (frozen and breaded) meats (chicken nuggets) or fish (fish sticks) once a week or less.
• We offer fried or pre-fried potatoes (French fries, tater tots, hash browns) once a week or less.
• We offer high fat meats like sausage, bacon, hot dogs, or bologna once a week or less.
• We offer high fiber, whole grain foods at least twice a day.
• We offer sweets or salty foods less than once a week or never.

Beverages

• We make drinking water freely available so children can serve themselves both inside and outdoors.
• We do not offer sweetened drinks other than 100% juice.
• We serve only 1% or skim milk to children age 2 or older.

Menus and Variety

• Our menus include healthy items from a variety of cultures.
• Our menus include a combination of new and familiar foods.

Foods Offered Outside of Regular Meals and Snacks

• We provide and enforce written guidelines for healthier food brought in and served for holidays and celebrations (see below).
• We celebrate holidays with mostly healthy foods or non-food treats.

Feeding Practices

• We will help children determine if they are full before removing their plate.
• We will help children determine if they are still hungry before serving additional food.
• We will gently and positively encourage children to try a new or less preferred food.
• We do not use food to encourage positive behavior.

Supporting Healthy Eating

• We will join children at the table for meal times.
• We serve meals family style.
• Our staff consumes the same food and drink as the children.
• Our staff often talk informally with the children about trying and enjoying healthy foods.

Healthy Guidelines for Celebrations
Please help us encourage lifelong healthy habits among our children. We encourage parents to join us for their child’s birthday or other special occasions and bring food to help celebrate. Please select or prepare healthier food options that your child enjoys. Suggestions include:

• Favorite fruits
• Lower fat baked goods (ex. mini muffins without icing)
• Favorite dishes that aren’t necessarily desserts
• Foods with special family or cultural significance
• Healthy foods in fun shapes
• Fruit snacks