Nutrition

NMCAA Early Childhood Nutrition Plan

Our nutrition plan provides a framework for supporting healthy food choices as well as nutritional resources for families and staff. Additionally, our plan encompasses regular communication regarding nutrition topics, which is so important in supporting the family-to-school connection. All child and family programs currently participate with the Child and Adult Care Food Program and follow CACFP guidelines, Head Start Program Performance Standards, Licensing and GSRP regulations, and use a nutrition analyst.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

Food and Nutrition Requirements for Head Start and Early Head Start

Knowing What to Serve

Programs must enroll in and bill a USDA Food and Nutrition Services Child Nutrition Program for meal services. Meals and snacks must conform to USDA requirements and be high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt.

Menus must be posted in the classroom and updated if any changes or substitutions are made. Please mark out the planned item on the menu and write in the substituted item using blue ink. Click here to access blank menu templates.
- Sample Snack Menu
- Sample Breakfast Menu

Each month submit served menus to your Coordinator and Program Support.

Programs with morning HS/EHS program hours will serve HS/EHS children who have not received breakfast upon arrival a nourishing breakfast.

Providing a child's daily nutritional needs for programs operating:
- >6 hours per day = 1/2-2/3 of nutritional needs.
- <6 hours per day = 1/3-1/2 of nutritional needs.

Reminders

Ensure bottle fed infants are never laid down to sleep with a bottle.
Meal/snack time must include opportunities for learning.
Family style meals are encouraged.
Make safe drinking water available for children throughout the day.
Nutrition tips and resources for classrooms and families can be found at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/nutrition.

Direct-Operated Early Head Start Center-based CACFP Food Program: Forms and Guidance

Overview
For a complete overview of the NMCAA Early Childhood Nutrition Plan, click on the link below.
NMCAA Early Childhood Nutrition Plan

Meal Pattern Requirements and Instructions

Menu Templates

Special Food Considerations

For children under 12 months, staff will include the 'CACFP Formula/Food Sign-Off Statement' as a part of the enrollment process. This form informs families of the type of formula and meals provided by the center for infants.

CACFP Formula/Food Sign-Off Statement

If a child requires a special diet due to allergies or other medical needs, a licensed physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner must complete the 'Special Diet Form below. *Document food allergies and sensitivity in the red folder.

Special Diet Statement

When parents are providing specific food (e.g. parent provides breastmilk in place of formula provided by the center), complete the 'EHS Partent Request to Provide Food' form with the parent and send a copy to Program Support and place original in child's file.

EHS Parent Request to Provide Food

Financial Requirements
When planning meals it is important to not only consider the nutritional quality of the meals and snacks provided, but also it is important to make the most of every dollar by seeking the most affordable prices for quality nutrition and foods. To assist and monitor this process Center Assistants are required to use the following forms.
Weekly Food Allotment/Receipt Process
Informal Procurement Log EHS

Nutrition Activities to Support the Areas of Development

Food Experiences: Cognition and Science

"When children cook, you can talk about what they are doing, and why. They are scientists, observing what happens to flour when they add water to it and predicting how high we should fill a muffin tin, so the batter doesn’t overflow. In addition, cooking sets the stage for lifelong healthy eating habits, and when children are involved in food preparation they tend to eat better.”
~Creative Curriculum for Preschool Vol. 2 pg. 230

Photo by Alizee Marchand

Pineapple:
Explore a whole pineapple and the process of getting to the yummy middle.

Photo by Shutterbug75

Mango:
Children use their 5 senses to explore a mango and it's parts.

Snack and Mealtime Conversations: Language and Social Emotional

Snack and mealtimes present a unique opportunity to bond with peers and teachers, expand vocabulary, and develop skills in every domain. Here are a few easy ideas to help extend learning.

Check out these easy conversation starters on this place mat from Talking Is Teaching resource bundle called, "Let's Talk about Food".
If you are looking for ways to engage older children in more in depth conversations during mealtimes or throughout the day, check out this list of conversation starters from The Early Childhood Academy.

Literacy and Nutrition Experiences

Parents and teachers can enhance literacy, mathematics, social studies and critical thinking by expanding stories from children's books with cooking activities. Bring the following suggested books alive by clicking on the activity link next to each book. (The Creative Curriculum for Preschool®, Sixth Edition, Volume 3)
*When applicable activities are tied to Teaching Strategies® The Creative Curriculum for Preschool®, Mighty Minutes® and GOLD® Objectives for Development and Learning.