Handicare serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. There is no additional charge for meals or snacks because we participate in the State of Iowa�s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The program is designed to give children a broad experience with food and encourage them to try all food groups with the goal of establishing healthy eating practices that they will carry into adulthood. Handicare�s kitchen staff prepares all of the meals and snacks to meet the State of Iowa�s Child & Adult Care Food Program standards.
We will make food substitutions for your child if the child has an allergy, a medical condition or a religious restriction to certain foods. The restriction must be submitted in writing to Handicare. If the restriction is due to an allergy or medical condition then we must receive documentation by a physician. The physician must provide a list of appropriate substitutions if the restriction involves one or more of the required food groups.
Parents are allowed to bring �treats� for special occasions. If you bring �home baked� treats you may be asked to bring a list of the ingredients so that the teacher can screen for any food allergies that a classmate may have. If the treats are prepackaged and store bought you should bring the ingredient list on the package.
Any food brought from home that does not require refrigeration must be covered and kept in the dining room until it is served. Food that does require refrigeration will be covered and kept in the refrigerators until it is served. All food should be marked with the classroom name and the time it is to be served.
We work hard to make mealtimes an enjoyable learning experience. Children under three have their plates filled for them while the children three years and older are served family style so that they can learn how to serve themselves and pour their own milk. All children are encouraged to try each food on their plate. If the child does not like something or is not hungry, a clean plate is not mandatory and the child is not forced to try something that they dislike. Children are not rushed to finish their meal and food is never withheld as a disciplinary tactic.
Teachers are encouraged to eat with the children and be good role models by trying a variety of foods. Menus are posted in the dining rooms and in each classroom. You may request a copy to take home each week.
The serving times for meals and snacks are listed on your child�s individual class schedule. Infants are fed breast milk or formula on their individual schedules. Handicare provides a milk based and soy based formula that parents can choose to use or they can bring in a formula of their choice. All infants will transition to solid food at different rates. You will need to inform us when you are ready for us to begin feeding solid foods to your child. We provide infant rice or oatmeal cereals. We also puree fruits & vegetables to feed your baby when they are ready for solid food. The menu on the bulletin board by the dining room will let you know what fruit or vegetable is offered each day. You may ask your classroom teacher for a copy of the menu each week. If you want to bring commercial baby food you are welcome to do so. When the infants begin to eat table foods you will be asked to keep the teachers informed on which food items they can have.
Child and Adult Care Food Programs
Hawk-I Health Care
|
