Keeping Food Fun, Healthy, and Safe for Child Care Programs

The dining table in your child care program is an opportunity for so many positive interactions from practicing social cues through conversation, to trying new foods, to children learning responsibility with a job like setting the table.

The Ideas & Solutions blog is intended to provide a forum for the discussion of child care and early education issues and ideas. We hope to provoke thoughtful discussions within the field and to help those outside the field gain a better understanding of priorities and concerns.

Food Fun in Child Care

Do you get stuck in a rut planning your child care program menu? The Nurse Consultants are here to help you regroup and refresh your options! The dining table in your child care program is an opportunity for so many positive interactions from practicing social cues through conversation, to trying new foods, to children learning responsibility with a job like setting the table. Read more to learn how to keep food fun in child care!

Go NAPSACC

The Child Care Health Consultant Network continues to offer KDHE clock hours on topics like nutrition through a program called Go NAPSACC. After earning clock hours, you can still log in and use Go NAPSACC as a resource hub for ideas for your program by using sample menus, snack ideas, handouts for families, and more! Topics related to mealtimes include Nutrition or Farm to ECE where you can explore ways to connect to your local farmer’s market or grow your own garden.

Nutrition Safety

Food allergies and sensitivities need to be considered when preparing meals in your child care program. The Nurse Consultants can help you learn about safe food practices like how to avoid cross-contamination. These types of prevention measures help avoid exposing children to allergens. We can help you maintain proper documentation of food allergies and care plans. These documents guide you in recognizing and responding to allergic reactions, or a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

CACFP

You may participate or want to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to enhance your child care program’s nutrition goals. CACFP includes both health and financial benefits. This federal program aims to promote healthy living for children and adults in the United States. It includes resources like recipes, pre-formatted menus, and standardized forms for things like documenting food allergies. We can help connect you to a local sponsor in your area.

Infant Nutrition

Finally, let’s talk about infant nutrition! Did you know that breast milk is reimbursable under the CACFP program? That means your program can receive money for supporting breastfeeding families. The Nurse Consultants can help connect you to CACFP resources or guide you through the process of becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Designated Child Care program. Your program’s familiarity and comfort level with breastfeeding can attract additional families to your program.

If you want help with any of the topics mentioned above and MORE contact the Child Care Health Consultant Network (CCHC) by calling 785-823-3343 and ask to speak with the nurse in your area. You can also connect with us using our website: www.ks.childcareaware.org, or by emailing cchc@ks.childcareaware.org.

Erica Goldsby

Child Care Nurse Consultant, Child Care Aware of Kansas

Erica has a Bachelors in Science of Nursing MWSU and a Masters of Public Health KSU. She has five years experience working at Fort Riley engaged with Child and Youth Services programs as a Public Health Nurse and Child and Youth Services Nurse. She has worked with children ages 6 weeks-18 years with a variety of special needs. She is an American Heart Association HeartSaver Instructor. Taught daycare providers at Fort Riley about Medication Administration, Communicable Diseases, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Diabetes.