Meals & Menu
Nutrition Policy
The Center will provide nourishments three times each day. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be distributed. All meals and snacks are prepared based on the USDA Child Care Food Program Guidelines. Menus are posted and sent home weekly. This Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program of N.C. Dept. of Health & Human Services, which meet all federal recommended daily nutritional standards. All parents/guardians are requested to fill out an annual Child Food Program Eligibility Application in order for the Center to maintain state compliance.
Parents must provide formula, and baby food for their infants. The Center does provide Stage 2 baby foods and meals to infants who are at least 11 months and eat from the table. Parents must prepare the infant’s formula at home and bring it to the Center COLD and labeled with the child’s name and the date.
Parents are required to fill out an infant feeding schedule before the first day of care whether or not the Center provides the food.
The center will provide food for children who are on special diets that are prescribed by the child’s physician. Parents must have a Physician or Dietitian to substantiate the need for a special diet in writing. Notes from Physicians are needed to substantiate food allergies.
Extra snacks, other foods and /or beverages are not permitted in the Center. The Center provides a balanced snack, which meets nutritional guidelines. Soft drinks are not allowed.
Breakfast will be served between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. In the event that your child is going to be late for breakfast please call the Center by 8:00am. The Center will only be able to hold their breakfast for 1 hour.
If students are not here before 10:00 a.m., they will not be included in the lunch count. Please call to inform us of their late arrival before 10:00 a.m. If you fail to call, please provide lunch for your child. You will have to stay with your child while they eat their food in the staff’s lounge, because food will not be allowed in the class after meal times, unless it is a party or special occasion.
Lunch is served between 11:00 and 12:00; snacks are served from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. If your child is on a special diet the center will provide substitutes which will meet the requirements of the USDA and CACFP guidelines.