14 Del. Admin. Code § 934-III-50.0

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

Section 934-III-50.0 - Meals and Snacks

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

50.1.1 2 hours - 4 hours: 1 snack;

50.1.2 4 hours - 6 hours: 1 meal and 1 snack;

50.1.3 7 hours - 11 hours: 2 meals and 1 snack or 2 snacks and 1 meal based on time of child's arrival; and

50.1.4 12 hours or more: 3 meals and 2 snacks.

50.2 A licensee shall encourage adults to eat healthy foods when eating with children. A child shall be encouraged but not forced to eat.

50.3 A licensee shall ensure nutritious food is prepared and served to children. Children must be supervised during food preparation.

50.4 A licensee shall ensure meals and snacks provided by the child care home:

50.4.1 Follow the meal pattern requirements (see Appendix X and Appendix XI) appropriate to the child's age;

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

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

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

50.4.4.1 Menus listing foods served must be kept for 30 days.

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

50.5 A licensee shall ensure when a parent or guardian requests a change of meal patterns due to a medical need, such as food intolerance or allergies, the parent or guardian provides the home with written health care provider permission for the change.

50.6 A licensee shall ensure when a parent or guardian requests a change of meal patterns due to a family's food preferences or religious belief, the parent/guardian provides the home with a list of the foods to remove and the foods to substitute.

50.7 Meal Components for Toddlers and Older Children:

50.7.1 When foods are provided by the parent or guardian, a licensee shall ensure the foods are refrigerated as needed and not shared. There are no meal pattern requirements for foods provided by parents or guardians. A licensee shall have a plan for providing food to a child who has not brought foods to eat.

50.7.2 As described in Appendix X, a licensee shall ensure a breakfast provided and served by a home has at least one (1) age-appropriate serving-size item each from the milk, fruit and vegetable, and grain food groups.

50.7.3 As described in Appendix X, a licensee shall ensure lunch or dinner provided and served by a home has one (1) 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.

50.7.4 As described in Appendix X, a licensee shall ensure that a snack provided and served by a home has at least one (1) 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 home, water must be served with that snack.

50.8 For foods prepared and served by the home, 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.

50.9 A licensee shall ensure each child has individual 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.

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

50.11 Staff members shall encourage the use of a cup when a child is at least one (1) year old and is developmentally able to drink from or hold a cup.

14 Del. Admin. Code § 934-III-50.0

24 DE Reg. 677 (1/1/2021)
25 DE Reg. 1017 (5/1/2022) (Final)