Food & Nutrition
Meal and Snack Routines
Children need to wash their hands before being seated for breakfast/lunch/snacks. All children need to be encouraged to sit at the tables during meal/snack time and move the highchairs close to the tables when infants and toddlers are present. When serving the children remember that we have to use the USDA guidelines. Serve the child the appropriate size and if they ask for more give them seconds when available. Children's dishes are in the cabinet in the kitchen, we have child-size cups, plates, and utensils. An adult will sit with children during the meals as it allows. Children are encouraged to try all foods, however, if a child is not interested in a particular food, do not force him/her to try it. Keep positive and engage in conversation with children to have children try new foods. Talk with the children to strike their interest and teach them about good nutrition and eating habits. Food is not to be used as a reward or punishment. Children should be encouraged to help as much as possible. Adults are to encourage and demonstrate pleasant conversation at the tables. Adults may eat the same food while the children are eating, however, when the children are close to finishing, all staff must finish as well.
Bringing snacks to share
If you bring a treat please bring enough for everyone to share. Please see if there are any allergies at the time. Birthday treats are welcomed. Give the snacks to Cindy’s Kids staff. Cindy’s Kids need to have control over when to pass them out.
Special Diets:
If a child has a particular dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, I must be informed and given a doctor's note. (posted under forms) A note will be posted so that everyone will see it. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.
Education of nutrition facts:
Please teach the children how to plan and read labels. Because we have had children with diabetes in care, we talk about carbohydrates a lot and how they affect the body. This is done using scales to weigh the food and charts for comparison. Everyone needs to learn good healthy habits.
Meal Time Experiences
Mealtimes at Cindy’s Kids are a time for all of the children and staff to come together and enjoy a hot home-cooked meal. An adult will sit and eat at the table with the children at meals and snacks. I like to engage in conversation with the children while encouraging each to take a turn talking. This is fun while waiting for everyone to wash and come to the table until food is served. This is a great time for children to use vocabulary. Even little ones can respond when asked simple things like do you like apples or oranges better? We often play a game we call “Going on a train ride, what do you see?” Then we take turns saying the things we would see on a trip to the beach. Such as trees, cows, trucks, etc. Even babies respond well to being talked to. I like to tell them what they are eating, for example: Sam is eating delicious green peas. Meal time is a teaching time as well. Simple sign language skills can be introduced at this time:
It is important to teach the appropriate size of portions of food served so that a well-balanced diet is modeled. Children at a young age learn about how it is important to eat from each of the food groups.
Our Table Manners
Leave toys away from the table
Wash hands and face
Sitting still on the bottom,
Use a napkin, not a sleeve
Wait to be served
When asked respond with Yes please or No thank you
Food stays on the plate
Use please and thank you,
Ask instead of grabbing things,
Elbows do not belong on the table,
Small bites so you can chew with your mouth closed
If a burp slips in by mistake, say “Excuse me.”
Always take a “no thank-you serving” to try
Do not say “Yuck!” or “I don’t like it”
Wait to be excused from the table.
If know Allergies
A written care plan must be developed at the time of enrollment, or when an allergy is identified for each enrolled child who has an allergy that poses a threat to the child's health, safety, and well-being. The plan must include instructions regarding the allergen and steps to be taken to avoid the allergen; signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction; and a detailed treatment plan including the names, doses, and methods of prompt administration of any medication in response to allergic reactions. This will require a Doctors note with detailed instructions.
This is different than food preferences.
(a) The parent must be notified immediately of any suspected allergic reactions or if the child consumed or came in contact with the allergen, even if a reaction did not occur.
(b) If epinephrine is administered, emergency medical services must be contacted immediately, and the Child Care Licensing Division must be notified within five calendar days of the occurrence.
(c) All staff at Cindy’s Kids involved in care of the child must be trained on the written care plan.
(d) Specific food allergies must be shared with all Cindy’s Kids staff who prepare and serve food.
(e) A list of each child's allergies should be posted over the stove for staff to easily review
WATER
Cindy’s Kids will ensure your child drinks enough water to help them perform and feel their best. Water is vital for the health of your organs and muscles. Water also plays a key role in supporting your immune system, flushing out toxins, and regulating body temperature. Even mild dehydration can start to impact a child’s brain function and their ability to focus. Incorporating regular water breaks, hydrating drinks, and foods into the day keeps your child properly hydrated and benefits their health in many ways.
When Preparing Formula
Wash hands
Cindy’s Kids will use clean dry bottles, which have been rinsed and washed in the dishwasher. Nipples and rings need to be separated and put on the top shelf. Or if the dishwasher is not available:
Wash in warm soapy water
Rinse in clean water
Soak in bleach solution 50 to 100 for 2 minutes.
Bottles are stored in a sanitary manner until use, each part separated
I fill the desired amount of warm water in first to the proper line from the kitchen sink
I then add one scoop of formula for each 2 ounces of water. As directed on the package.
Close and shake until mixed
Check for temperature on the inside arm before feeding baby in arms
I do not prop bottles, this is a time to interact with the baby
Babies are never allowed to lie down with a bottle.
They must be held upright
At 1 year babies are encouraged to use sippy cups independently
I am on city water, if parents want bottled water they must provide it.
If mom brings breast milk it is labeled and stored cold, warmed in Advent warmer when needed.
Milk is not reused once heated. CDC says milk should be finished within 2 hours or trashed
If a parent brings prepared bottles from home that look questionably, Cindy’s Kids will remake bottles to serve the baby.
Only formula or breastmilk will be served in bottles to babies under 1
Infant cereal will not be added to bottles.
Please hand breastmilk to the providers.
. Baby Food will be freshly homemade to the extent possible. Commercially prepared and packaged food will be used on occasion.