NAC432A.380. Nutrition.

     1. To the extent set forth in subsections 3 and 4, a licensee of a facility shall meet the daily nutritional needs of each child. Meals and snacks must be of a quality and quantity which supplement the food served at home. Cultural and ethnic foods which are appropriate for children must be considered in planning meals. To the extent possible, information provided by parents concerning their child’s eating habits and preferences or special needs regarding food must be considered in planning for meals.

     2. A licensee of a facility shall consult the Division or local licensing agency or some other public agency for nutritional information which is applicable to children of ages receiving care at the facility.

     3. A child who stays in a facility:

     (a) For 10 hours or less in 1 day must be offered at least one meal and two snacks or two meals and one snack; and

     (b) For more than 10 hours in 1 day must be offered at least two meals and two snacks or one meal and three snacks.

     4. A nutritious snack must be offered to all children in the midmorning and the midafternoon. Each child must be offered food at intervals that are at least 2 hours apart and, unless the child is asleep during that time, are not more than 3 hours apart.

     5. Foods and beverages which are sweet or have little nutritional value must not be served to children except as an addition to the meals or snacks served to comply with the requirements of subsections 3 and 4.

     6. Every menu must be in writing, dated, planned a week in advance, and kept on file in the facility for at least 90 days after the corresponding meal is served. The licensee of a facility shall post the current menu, including any changes, in the kitchen and in a public place within the facility convenient for parental inspection. Family homes and group homes are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

     7. Meals may be brought from home to a facility for a child to consume at the facility. The bag or other container used to bring the meal to the facility must be labeled with the child’s first and last name. A facility shall inform the parents of each child who is cared for in the facility that perishable items must be stored or packed in a manner that maintains the temperature of the contents.

     8. A child is not allowed in the kitchen of any facility unless he or she is supervised.

     9. Whenever possible, members of the staff of the facility must eat with the children and encourage them to eat a variety of food and observe table manners.

     10. Drinking water must be freely available to all children at all times.

     11. Food must not be used as a basis for discipline or reward. Children should be encouraged, but must not be forced, to eat.

     [Bd. for Child Care, Child Care Facilities Reg. §§ 12.1-12.10, eff. 2-28-80]—(NAC A 6-5-84; R032-07, 4-23-2009)