14 Del. Admin. Code § 933-V-71.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 933-V-71.0 - Meals and Snacks

71.1 A licensee shall ensure meals and snacks are served on the following schedule depending on the number of hours the child is present:

Click here to view Image

71.2 A licensee shall ensure meals and snacks are provided by a center except when:

71.2.1 The parent or guardian chooses to provide the child's food and provides a signed statement stating this choice. The center must keep the statement on file;

71.2.2 The center does not provide meals or snacks and informs the parent or guardian at the time of enrollment that meals or snacks are to be provided by the parent or guardian. The center must inform the parent or guardian of the importance of sending nutritional meals or snacks; or

71.2.3 The center has a field trip or a specific activity requiring special meal arrangements.

71.3 A licensee shall encourage adults to eat healthy foods when eating with children.

71.4 A licensee shall ensure staff members responsible for food service have knowledge of nutrition, sanitary food preparation, storage, and cleaning, and follow the center's policy on food service.

71.5 A licensee shall ensure staff members' responsibilities for food service do not reduce staff-to-child ratios, interfere with the center's program, or lessen supervision of children.

71.6 A licensee shall ensure meals and snacks provided by the center:

71.6.1 Follow the meal pattern requirements (see Appendix VI and Appendix VII) which are appropriate to the child's age;

71.6.2 May include 100% unsweetened juice, not a juice drink or cocktail;

71.6.3 May include powdered milk used only for cooking and not instead of liquid milk for drinking; and

71.6.4 Are planned on a menu, dated, and posted in a noticeable place.

71.6.4.1 Menus listing food served must be kept for 30 days.

71.6.4.2 Changes to the food served on a particular date must be written on the menu on or before that date.

71.7 A licensee shall ensure that special, therapeutic diets are prepared and served by staff members only upon written instructions by a health care provider. A health care provider's written permission is required for a change in meal patterns.

71.8 A licensee shall ensure when a parent or guardian requests a change of meal patterns due to a family's food preferences or religious beliefs, the parent or guardian provides the center with a list of the foods that are unacceptable and the substitutions allowed.

71.9 Meal Components for Toddlers and Older Children

71.9.1 As described in Appendix VI, a licensee shall ensure a breakfast provided and served by a center has at least one age-appropriate serving-size item each from the milk, fruit and vegetable, and grain food groups.

71.9.2 As described in Appendix VI, a licensee shall ensure lunch or dinner provided and served by a center has one age-appropriate serving-size item from each of the milk, meat or meat alternate, and grain food groups and two items from the fruit and vegetable food group.

71.9.3 As described in Appendix VI, a licensee shall ensure that a snack provided and served by a center has at least one age-appropriate serving-size item from two of the food groups. If milk or 100% juice is not included with a snack provided and served by the center, water must be served with that snack.

71.10 For foods prepared and served by the center, a licensee shall introduce a variety of food textures, finger foods, and a cup and utensils for self-feeding. If needed, a licensee shall ensure food is cut to prevent choking.

71.11 A licensee shall ensure each child has h own utensils, such as a fork, spoon, knife, dish, cup or bottle, as appropriate to the child's age. This equipment may not be shared with another child or adult during feeding.

71.12 All single-service dinnerware or utensils provided by the center for meals or snacks must be thrown away immediately after use.

71.13 Staff members shall encourage the use of a cup when a child is at least one year old and is developmentally able to drink from or hold a cup.

14 Del. Admin. Code § 933-V-71.0

25 DE Reg. 1115 (6/1/2022) (Final)