Virginia Law

A. Centers shall schedule appropriate times for snacks or meals, or both, based on the hours of operation and time of the day (e.g., a center open only for after school care shall schedule an afternoon snack; a center open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. shall schedule a morning snack and midday meal).

B. The center shall ensure that children arriving from a half-day, morning program who have not yet eaten lunch receive a lunch.

C. The center shall schedule snacks or meals so that there is a period of at least 1-1/2 hours but no more than three hours between each meal or snack unless there is a scheduled rest or sleep period for children between the meals and snacks.

D. Drinking water or other beverage not containing caffeine shall be offered at regular intervals to nonverbal children.

E. In environments of 80°F or above, attention shall be given to the fluid needs of children at regular intervals. Children in such environments shall be encouraged to drink fluids as outlined in subsection D of this section.

F. When centers choose to provide meals or snacks, the following shall apply:

1. Centers shall follow the most recent, age-appropriate nutritional requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

2. Children shall be allowed second helpings of food listed in the USDA's child and adult care meal patterns.

3. Centers offering both meals and snacks shall serve a variety of nutritious foods and shall serve at least three sources of vitamin A and at least three sources of vitamin C on various days each week.

4. Children three years of age or younger may not be offered foods that are considered to be potential choking hazards.

5. A menu listing foods to be served for meals and snacks during the current one-week period shall:

a. Be dated;

b. Be posted in a location conspicuous to parents or given to parents;

c. List any substituted food; and

d. Be kept on file for one week at the center.

6. Powdered milk shall not be used except for cooking.

G. When food is brought from home, the following shall apply:

1. The food container shall be sealed and clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner;

2. The center shall have extra food or shall have provisions to obtain food to serve to children so they can have an appropriate snack or meal if they forget to bring food from home, bring an inadequate meal or snack, or bring perishable food; and

3. Unused portions of opened food shall be discarded by the end of the day or returned to the parent.

H. If a catering service is used, it shall be approved by the local health department.

I. Contaminated or spoiled food shall not be served to children.

J. Tables and high chair trays shall be:

1. Sanitized before and after each use for feeding; and

2. Cleaned at least daily.

K. Children shall be encouraged to feed themselves.

L. Staff shall sit with children during meal times.

M. No child shall be allowed to drink or eat while walking around.

N. Food shall be prepared, stored, and transported in a clean and sanitary manner.

O. When food is prepared to which a child in care is allergic, staff shall take steps to avoid cross contamination to prevent an allergic reaction.

P. A child with a diagnosed food allergy shall not be served any food identified in the written care plan required in 8VAC20-780-60 A 8.