W. Va. Code R. § 78-21-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 24, June 14, 2024

Section 78-21-12 - Nutrition

12.1. A center shall provide children with meals and snacks that are consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture's current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and in accordance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program meal patterns (see Appendix A and B of this rule).

12.2. A center shall ensure that no more than four hours elapse between meals and snacks. A center shall provide meals and snacks according to the following requirements:

12.2.a. A center that is open from morning through afternoon shall serve a morning snack or breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack;

12.2.b. A center that provides care before 7 o'clock in the morning shall ensure a child has breakfast available;

12.2.c. A center that provides care to the child whose planned attendance extends beyond 7 o'clock in the evening shall serve supper; and

12.2.d. An out-of-school-time program shall serve a snack or meal to the school-age child within one hour of arriving after a normal school day.

12.3. A center may choose to allow a child to bring meals and snacks to the center provided:

12.3.a. The center has written policies that address:

12.3.a.1. Providing parents and staff with the nutritional guidelines in this rule;

12.3.a.2. Providing to parents and staff guidelines on the proper preparation and storage of food;

12.3.a.3. Providing to parents and staff a list of foods the center will not permit, including known food allergens to other children;

12.3.a.4. An explanation to parents of how the center will address the issue if a child does not bring meals or snacks, or if the meals or snacks the child does bring are not within the nutritional guidelines provided by the center;

12.3.a.5. That the food prepared from an unapproved source is for consumption by the child and not to be shared with other children or the group.

12.3.b. The center has safe storage and refrigeration of the food as needed. Storage must be approved by the Local Health Department;

12.3.c. Each child's meal or snack is clearly labeled with the child's first and last names and the date it was brought to the center;

12.3.d. No additional food preparation is required by the center;

12.3.e. The center provides a meal or snack when the parent fails to provide a meal or snack from home;

12.3.f. The center includes children with food allergies in the group during meal or snack time; and

12.3.g. The center has milk available at meal times in accordance with meal patterns described in Appendix B of this rule.

W. Va. Code R. § 78-21-12