When you are a quality child care provider, you make sure the children in your care have access to toys, art materials and equipment that stimulate them socially, physically and intellectually. You should take a similar approach with meal planning. While the food and beverages you offer should meet the children's nutritional and energy needs, they are in a sense, also tools to equip them for learning, interacting and staying healthy. Keep records of any food allergies the children under your care may have when planning meals.
Infant Meal Patterns
The USDA meal pattern guidelines for infants up to 3 months of age suggest 4 to 6 oz. of formula or breast milk per meal. Infants 4 to 7 months of age require 4 to 8 oz. of formula or breast milk for meals and 4 to 6 oz. for snacks. Additionally, infants may be ready for up to 3 tbsp. of cereal with breakfast and lunch and up to 3 tbsp. of fruit or vegetables with lunch. Infants ages 8 to 11 months may be ready to add fruit to breakfast, bread or crackers to snack and substitute meat or cheese for cereal at lunch. Infant meal patterns should be flexible and align with pediatrician recommendations, as well as the child's needs.
Toddler and Child Meal Patterns
The USDA recommends a serving of milk, fruit and grains at breakfast for children ages 1 to 12. Lunch should ideally consist of one serving of milk, two servings of vegetables, one serving of grains and one serving of protein. Snack patterns should include two from four snack suggestions: one serving of milk, one serving of fruit or vegetables, one serving of grains and one serving of protein. Offer children a balanced meal even if they refuse to eat certain foods. HealthyChildren.org, an online publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, advises scheduling snacks at least two hours before mealtime as an incentive to eat healthy foods when offered.
Features
Adult-sized portions can overwhelm children, turning them off from healthy food choices. For toddlers and preschoolers, 1/2 cup of milk, fruits or vegetables is considered a serving. A half a slice of bread or 1/4 cup pasta or cooked cereal constitutes one serving, as does 1/2 oz. fish, cheese, meat or nuts. For school-aged children, suggested serving sizes are slightly larger. Examples include 1 cup of milk, 3/4 cup of fruit or vegetables, one slice of bread, 1/2 cup of cooked pasta or rice and 1 oz. of meat, nuts or seeds. Incorporate whole grains, lean proteins and a variety of fruits and vegetables into your menus.
Considerations
Ask your child care licensing agent about the USDA Child Nutrition Program, which reimburses licensed child care providers for part or all of food expenses incurred for day care meals and snacks. To qualify for reimbursement, you must meet your state's requirements for child care licensing, hold a current license and maintain records of meals and snacks served on a daily basis. You can also find contact information for your state's sponsoring agency on the USDA website.
References
- California Department of Education; Infant Meal Pattern; April 8, 2011
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Patterns
- Healthy Children; Making Sure Your Child Is Eating Enough; June 9, 2010
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Child Nutrition Programs
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford: School-Aged Child Nutrition
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