Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 290 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 290-2 - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Subject 290-2-3 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE LEARNING HOMES
Rule 290-2-3-.10 - Nutrition and Food Services

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 290-2-3-.10

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Compliance with USDA Nutritional Guidelines. Meals and snacks with serving sizes dependent upon the age of the child shall meet nutritional guidelines as established by the United States Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals and snacks shall be varied daily, and additional servings of nutritious food shall be offered to children over and above the required daily minimum, if not contraindicated by special diet.

(2) Non-nutritional Food. Foods and drinks with little or no nutritional value, i.e., sweets, soft drinks, etc. shall be served only on special occasions and only in addition to the required nutritious meals and snacks. Powdered nonfat dry milk shall not be used except for cooking purposes.

(3) Feeding of Infants and Children. A signed written feeding plan for children less than one (1) year of age shall be obtained from Parent(s). Instructions from the Parent(s) shall be updated regularly as new foods are added or other dietary changes are made. The feeding plan shall be posted in the main child care area and must include the child's feeding schedule, the amount of formula or breast milk to be given, instructions for the introduction of solid foods, the amount of food to be given and notation of any type(s) of commercially premixed formula which may not be used in an emergency because of food allergies.

(a) Staff shall hold and feed infants less than six (6) months of age and older children who cannot hold their own bottles or sit alone. Baby bottles shall never be propped; the infant's head shall be elevated while feeding.

(b) Honey shall not be served to children less than one (1) year of age.

(c) Age-appropriate solid foods (including cereal) shall not be given to infants or children less than one (1) year of age until recommended as developmentally appropriate by the child's primary care physician and indicated in writing by the Parent(s). As soon as the feeding plan indicates that a child is ready for solid foods, the child shall be fed from individual spoons and individual containers or dishes. A child shall not be fed directly from the original baby food container if the contents are to be fed to the child at more than one (1) meal or to more than one (1) child.

(d) As soon as the child exhibits a desire to feed him/herself, the child shall be assisted and encouraged to use their fingers for self-feeding, eat with a spoon, and to drink from individual cups.

(e) The Home shall encourage and support breastfeeding. The Home shall have a designated area set aside for breastfeeding mothers to breastfeed.

(f) Food for infants or children less than one (1) year of age shall be cut into pieces one-quarter inch or smaller and food for toddlers shall be cut into pieces one-half inch or smaller to prevent choking.

(g) The Home shall ensure that children do not have excessive amounts of food in their mouths while eating and are chewing their food appropriately to prevent instances of choking. Children shall always be seated when eating and shall not be allowed to lie down or be put to sleep while food is present in their mouths.

(4) Baby Bottles and Formula. All baby bottles shall be clearly labeled with the individual child's name. Formula or breast milk shall be supplied by the Parent daily in bottles. Only the current day's formula or breast milk shall be served. Bottles shall be refrigerated at a temperature of forty (40) degrees Fahrenheit or less. If formula must be provided by the Home, only commercially prepared, ready-to-feed formula shall be used. Refrigerated or frozen breast milk shall only be heated or thawed under warm running water or in a container of warm water.

(5) Feeding Chairs. A feeding chair or similar equipment designed for feeding children shall be provided for the use of each child being fed who is capable of sitting up but who is unable to sit unassisted at a table. The chair or similar equipment must be cleaned with a disinfectant after each use. Such chair or similar equipment shall have a broad base to prevent tipping; a surface that the child cannot raise; a strap or other device which prevents the child from sliding out of the chair; and a feeding surface free of cracks.

(6) Menus. The Home shall provide a menu listing all meals and snacks to be served during the current week. Substitutions shall be recorded on the posted menu. Menus shall be retained at the Home for six (6) months.

(7) Meal Service

(a) Children shall be served all meals and snacks scheduled for the period during which they are present in the Home. This includes breakfast or a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, supper (if the Home offers evening care), and an evening snack prior to bedtime (if the Home offers night time care). In those Homes where the Parent(s) of children enrolled provide the meals and snacks, the Home shall ensure that no child remains at the Home without receiving the scheduled nutritious meals and snacks. There shall be a period of at least two (2) hours between each required meal or snack.

(b) Food and beverages shall be served in individual plates or bowls and with individual glasses or cups, that are not chipped or cracked.

(c) Children shall be encouraged but not forced to eat.

(d) Caregivers shall not use food to punish or reward children.

(e) Children shall be given necessary assistance in feeding and encouraged to develop good nutritional habits.

(f) Hot food shall not be served at a temperature which would cause the children to burn their mouths upon consuming the food.

(g) Drinking water shall be available to all children and shall be offered at least once between meals and snacks.

(8) Restrictions. Food shall be served according to manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Foods that are associated with young children's choking incidents, such as, but not limited to, peanuts, hot dogs, raw carrots, popcorn, fish with bones, cheese cubes, grapes and any other food that is of similar shape and size of the trachea/windpipe shall not be served to the children less than four (4) years of age. Children older than four (4) years of age may be served these foods provided that the foods are cut in such a way as to minimize choking. Food shall not be accessible or served to children until it has been chopped, diced, cut or mashed and is appropriate for each child's age and individual eating, chewing and swallowing ability.

(9) Modified Diets. When a child requires a modified diet for medical reasons, a written statement from a medical authority shall be on file. When a child requires a modified diet for religious reasons, a written statement to that effect from the child's Parent(s) shall be on file. Staff shall be informed of the diet restriction for the child and only food that complies with the prescribed dietary regimen but still meets the food and nutrition requirements shall be served to the child.

(10) Unconsumed Food. Any portions of food or drink which are served to children or placed on the table for service and are not consumed at that meal or snack by the children to whom the portions are served shall be thrown away. Any formula or breast milk remaining one hour from the beginning of the feeding shall be discarded or returned to Parent(s).

(11) Food. Food shall be in sound condition, free from spoilage and contamination and safe for human consumption. Eggs, pork, pork products, poultry and fish shall be thoroughly cooked. All raw fruits and vegetables shall be washed thoroughly before being cooked or served. Foods not subject to further washing or cooking before serving shall be stored in such a manner as to be protected against contamination. Meats, poultry, fish, dairy products and processed foods shall have been inspected under an official regulatory program. Hot foods shall be maintained at a temperature of one hundred forty (140) degrees Fahrenheit or above except during serving. Food and drinks shall be prepared as close to serving time as possible to protect children and Personnel from foodborne illness.

(12) Food Preparation Areas. The Home shall have a designated space for food preparation and in an area not used for diaper changing. The area shall be kept clean and free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles and grease deposits. Food preparation surface areas shall be nonporous with no unsealed cracks or seams.

(13) Refrigeration. All perishable and potentially hazardous foods shall be refrigerated at a temperature of forty (40) degrees Fahrenheit or below and served promptly after cooking. Freezer temperature shall be maintained at zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit or below.

(14) Storage Areas. The Home shall have a designated space for storage of food and kitchen items. The area shall be kept clean and free of accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles and grease deposits.

(15) Containers of food shall be stored above the floor on clean surfaces protected from splash and other contamination. Containers for food storage other than the original container or package in which the food was obtained, shall be impervious and non-absorbent, have tight-fitting lids or covers and labeled as to contents.

(16) Cleaning materials shall be stored separately from food.

(17) Garbage. Garbage shall be stored in trash containers with lids and emptied and cleaned as needed. Areas around outdoor containers shall be kept clean.

(18) Hygiene. The person preparing meals shall wash their hands and arms thoroughly with soap and warm water before starting food service work and as often as necessary during food preparation and serving to remove soil and contamination.

(19) Dishwashing. Non-disposable dishes and silverware shall be properly cleaned by pre-rinsing, or scraping, washing, sanitizing and air drying.

O.C.G.A. § 20-1A-1et seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.