Toolkit for Integrating Healthy Physical and Mental
Development in Early Learning Guidelines
Health and Safety Topic #5: Nutrition
Caring for Our Children (CFOC) Standards and Healthy Kids, Healthy Care Links [Tips for Parents]
Selected States' Early Learning Guidelines
State Assessment

CFOC Standard(s):

Written Nutrition Plan-4.001

The facility shall provide children nourishing and attractive food according to a written plan, developed by a qualified Child Care Nutrition Specialist. Caregivers, directors, and food service personnel shall share the responsibility for carrying out the plan. The administrator is responsible for implementing the plan but may delegate tasks to caregivers and food service personnel.
The nutrition plan (see STANDARD 8.035) shall include steps to take when problems require rapid response by the staff such as when a child chokes during mealtime. The completed plan shall be on file and accessible to the staff.
If the facility is large enough to justify employment of a full-time Child Care Nutrition Specialist or Child Care Food Service Manager, the facility shall delegate to this person the responsibility for implementing the written plan.

Use of USDA-CACFP Guidelines-4.002

All meals and snacks and their preparation, service, and storage shall meet the requirements for meals of the child care component of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 226.20 (9,10).

General Plan for Feeding Infants-4.011

At a minimum, meals and snacks the facility provides for infants shall contain the food in the meal and snack patterns shown in Appendix P. Food shall be appropriate for infants' individual nutrition requirements and developmental stages as determined by written instructions obtained from the child's parent or health care provider.
The facility shall encourage and support breastfeeding. Facilities shall have a designated place set aside for breastfeeding mothers who want to come during work to breastfeed (18-24).
The facility shall offer solid foods and fruit juices to infants 6 months of age and younger only upon the recommendation of the parent and the child's health professional.

Feeding Infants on Demand with Feeding by a Consistent Caregiver-4.013

Caregivers shall feed infants on demand unless the parent and the child's health care provider gives written instructions otherwise. Whenever possible, the same caregiver shall feed a specific infant for most of that infant's feedings.

Portions for Toddlers and Preschoolers-4.023

The facility shall serve toddlers and preschoolers small-sized portions and shall permit them to have one or more additional servings as needed to meet the needs of the individual child.

Encouraging Self-Feeding By Toddlers-4.024

Caregivers shall encourage toddlers to hold and drink from a cup, to use a spoon, and to use their fingers for self-feeding.

Socialization During Meals-4.031

Caregivers shall sit at the table and shall eat the meal or snack with the children. Family style meal service shall be encouraged, except for infants and very young children who require that an adult feeds them. The adult(s) shall encourage social interaction and conversation about the concepts of color, quantity, number, temperature of food, and events of the day. Extra assistance and time shall be provided for slow eaters. Eating should be an enjoyable experience at the facility and at home.

Participation of Older Children and Staff in Mealtime Activities-4.032

Both older children and staff shall be actively involved in serving food and other mealtime activities, such as setting and cleaning the table, with provision for staff to supervise and assist children with appropriate handwashing procedures and sanitizing of eating surfaces and utensils to prevent cross contamination.

Experience with Familiar and New Foods-4.033

In consultation with the family and child care nutrition specialist, caregivers shall offer children familiar foods that are typical of the child's culture and religious preferences, and shall also introduce a variety of healthful foods that may not be familiar, but meet a child's nutritional needs.

Nutrition Learning Experiences for Children-4.069

The facility shall have a nutrition plan (see STANDARD 4.001 and STANDARD 8.035) that integrates the introduction of food and feeding experiences with facility activities and home feeding. The plan shall include opportunities for children to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make appropriate food choices.
For centers, this plan shall be a written plan and shall be the shared responsibility of the entire staff, including directors, food service personnel, and parents. The nutrition plan shall be developed with guidance from, and shall be approved by, the Child Care Nutrition Specialist (see Appendix C).
Caregivers shall teach children about the taste and smell of foods. The children shall feel the textures and learn the different colors and shapes of foods. The teaching shall be evident at mealtimes and during curricular activities, without interfering with the pleasure of eating.

HKHC Link(s):

Meals and Snacks

Physical Fitness and Promoting Healthy Weight

Child-Focused Example
Connecticut Preschool Curriculum Framework (p.13)

CONTENT STANDARD - Physical Development
Preschool programs will provide children with opportunities to choose nutritious meals and snacks.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (INDICATORS)
Educational experiences will assure that preschool children will:
  • recognize and eat a variety of nutritious foods.
When presented with several foods, children will be able to tell which are considered healthy foods to eat.
Example: Participate in the preparation of healthy snacks and meals. Select foods that are healthy.


Program-Focused Example
Washington's Early Learning and Development Benchmarks: A Guide to Young Children's Learning and Development From Birth to Kindergarten Entry (p.34)

Domain 1: Physical Health, Well-Being, and Motor Development
Sub-Domain: Health and Personal Care
Nutrition
Goal: Children eat a variety of nutritious foods.
Birth to 18 months
Some Indicators for Children:
  • Breastfeeds, if appropriate for family preferences and circumstances
  • Regulates the speed and intensity with which he/she eats
  • Consumes a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups
  • Explores food with fingers
Some Strategies for Caregivers:
  • Provide an environment that is supportive of breastfeeding
  • Plan feeding times and practices around the individual cultural and feeding needs of child (e.g., if breastfeeding, use of breast milk or if bottle feeding, use of formula)
  • Follow child's cues for when he/she is full or hungry
  • Treat meal times as an opportunity to help child enjoy food and become independent in feeding
  • Model nutritious eating habits
  • Provide child with nutritious foods and snacks, including foods from various cultures
  • Communicate with other caregivers about food allergies.


For references to the state early learning guidelines used see State Early Learning Guidelines Used in Examples
Nutrition Content:

Content absent

Content to be strengthened

Content approaches CFOC
Action Plan
     


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