Code of Colorado Regulations
1400 - Department of Early Childhood
1402 - Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration
8 CCR 1402-1 - CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.325 - MEALS AND SNACKS PROVIDED BY THE PROVIDER

A. All meals and snacks provided by the primary provider, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, qualified substitutes, and staff members must meet current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern guidance and requirements published by the USDA Food Nutrition Service at https://www.cacfp.org/meal-pattern-guidance/ (April 2016) and 7 C.F.R. sections 210.10 and 226.20 (July 1, 2022), herein incorporated by reference. No later editions or amendments are incorporated. These regulations are available at no cost from the USDA Food Nutrition Service at https://www.ecfr.gov. These regulations are also available for public inspection and copying at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, 710 S. Ash St., Denver, CO 80246, during regular business hours. Children who are at the family child care home for more than four (4) hours, day or evening, must be offered a meal. Arrangements must be made for feeding children who are in care before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

B. Primary provider(s) and parent(s) must have ongoing communication regarding special diet and feeding needs of the child(ren).

C. All parents must have access to menus and must be notified of meals being served.

D. Food must be offered to the child from the child's individual dish and utensil(s). If uneaten portion(s) from the child's plate are saved, they must be refrigerated and stored safely and must be served, eaten, or discarded within four (4) hours of being prepared. Uneaten portions from one child must not be given to another child; and children must not share dishes and/or utensil(s).

E. Dishes, cookware, high chair trays and utensils must be washed, sanitized, and stored in a safe and sanitary manner. When used, disposable dishes and utensils must be disposed of after use. Food preparation and service areas including, but not limited to, sinks, faucets, counters, and tables must be sanitized.

F. All milk and juice offered to children must be pasteurized.

G. Children are encouraged, but must not be forced, to eat food or drink fluids.

H. Foods offered shall be age appropriate and not pose a choking hazard.

I. If 100% fruit juice, which is not a sugar sweetened beverage, is offered as part of meals and/or snacks, it must be limited to no more than two (2) times per week.

J. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, qualified substitutes, and staff members must not provide sugar sweetened beverages to children. These are beverages that have been sweetened with various forms of sugars that add calories and include, but are not limited to: soda, fruitades, fruit drinks, flavored milks, and sports and energy drinks.

K. Water must be offered and available at all times and cannot be a substitute for milk during meals.

L. The size of servings must be suitable for the child's age and sufficient time must be allowed so that meals are unhurried'

M. If the primary provider does not regularly provide a meal and a child brings a meal from home that does not appear to meet current USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program meal pattern requirements, the primary provider must have foods available to offer as a supplement to that meal.

N. During meals, children should be encouraged to engage in conversation and to express their independence.

O. Children must not be given foods that are contrary to the religious or cultural beliefs of their families or that are known to cause an allergic reaction or a health hazard.

P. Food and beverages are not to be used as a reward.

Q. Family child care providers must not serve grain-based desserts to children more than two servings per week. These desserts include but are not limited to: cookies, donuts, cereal bars, cake, and brownies.

R. All children must be sitting when eating.

S. Children under the age of eighteen (18) months must be sitting or standing stationary while drinking.

T. Primary providers, applicant 2, equally qualified providers, qualified substitutes, or staff members must either feed children under three (3) years of age or supervise them when they are eating.

U. Children who are actively eating may be in a highchair or other approved feeding equipment for longer than fifteen (15) minutes. Children must be moved away from the feeding location once feeding is complete. Older children must be allowed to leave the feeding location once they are finished eating.