Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 591 - RULES OF BRIGHT FROM THE START GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING › Chapter 591-1 › Subject 591-1-1 - CHILD CARE LEARNING CENTERS › Rule 591-1-1-.15 - Food Service and Nutrition

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 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) 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 child's assigned room 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) Center Personnel 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 Center shall
				encourage and support breastfeeding. Centers 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) Center Personnel 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.