StarChild Academy provides nutritious meals and snacks of a quantity and quality to meet the daily nutritional needs of the children. The USDA MyPlate, June 2011, is used to determine what food groups to serve at each meal or snack and the serving size of the selected foods for children ages two and older. The categories “oils” and “discretionary calories” are not considered food groups. Copies of the USDA MyPlate may be obtained from the USDA website at http://www.choosemyplate.gov or from the following link http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03036. Using the USDA MyPlate, breakfast consists of at least three different food groups, lunch consists of at least four different food groups, and snacks consist of at least two different food groups.
Food provided by StarChild Academy directly, or by contract with an outside source such as a caterer, will be served only if in sound condition, free from spoilage and contamination, and safe for human consumption. All food is stored and handled in a sanitary manner at all times.
StarChild Academy has adequate equipment available to maintain food safety.
- Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and processed foods are inspected under the United States Department of Agriculture requirements.
- No raw milk or unpasteurized juice is served without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian.
- No home-canned food is served.
- No home-grown eggs are served.
- No recalled food products are served.
- All raw fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly before being served or cooked.
- To prevent food from becoming potentially hazardous, hot foods are maintained at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and cold foods are maintained at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. StarChild Academy supplies adequate equipment to maintain temperature requirements.
- Food is thoroughly cooked and/or reheated.
If StarChild Academy provides or makes available food to children in care from an outside source such as a caterer, or as the result of a learning activity provided by our child care program, such as a garden, it is StarChild Academy’s responsibility to ensure all food intended for consumption by a child in care is in sound condition, free from spoilage and contamination, and safe for human consumption. A copy of the license or permit for caterers is kept on file at StarChild Academy.
StarChild Academy maintains a food acceptance log for all pre-prepared meals being transported into the facility.
Parents or legal guardians are advised in advance of each food-related activity, such as special occasions and learning activities, which include food consumption. Written parental permission may be obtained in the form of a general or specific permission slip. Documentation of parent permission for food activities is maintained for a minimum of four months from the date of each activity.
Parents are informed of food-related activities as follows:
- Regular Meals and Snacks - Through Weekly Menus in the Parent Information Center, in the Dining Room, and Online
- Classroom Holiday Parties - Through Sign Up Sheets in Each Classroom
- Field Trips - Through the Field Trip Schedule
- Parent’s Night Out - Through the Parent’s Night Out Sign Up Sheet
- Birthday Parties - Will Occur on Various Dates Throughout the School Year Based on the Children’s Birthdates
- Learning Activities and Other - Through Daily Reports Provided to Parents
If a special diet is required for a child by a physician, a copy of the physician’s order, a copy of the diet, and a sample meal plan for the special diet is maintained in the child’s file and followed. If the custodial parent or legal guardian notifies StarChild Academy of any known food allergies, written documentation is maintained in the child’s file for as long as the child is in care. Special food restrictions are shared with staff and are posted in a conspicuous location.
Meal and snack menus are planned, written, dated, and posted for parents at the beginning of each week in the Front Lobby, the Dining Room, and online. Any menu substitution is noted on the menu. All meals and snacks prepared outside of the facility’s kitchen or designated food preparation area, such as catered food, are listed along with the source of the prepared food. Daily meal and snack menus are maintained for a minimum of four months.
Documentation of parental permission for field trips and food activities/special occasions is retained for a minimum of four months.
Written documentation of known food allergies (if applicable) is maintained for as long as the child is in care.
* * *
Please let StarChild Academy’s Front Desk staff know if you do not want your child to participate in any particular food-related activities, including regular meals and snacks, classroom holiday parties, field trips, Parent’s Night Out, birthday parties, learning activities, and other food related activities.