Nutrition & Food Safety

In family child care businesses, providing meals and snacks is optional. Business owners may choose to offer food as part of their services or ask families to supply meals from home. For those who do not provide meals, it’s important to communicate clearly with families about what they are expected to bring and ensure safe food practices for all items served or stored on-site. Regardless of who supplies the food, the goal remains the same: to support children’s well-being through safe and healthy eating practices.

Good nutrition is essential for young children.  It fuels their growth, learning, and overall well-being. When you offer balanced, nourishing meals, you are doing more than just feeding children; you’re helping build healthy habits and strong bodies that last a lifetime. A focus on quality nutrition also supports children emotionally and socially, helping them thrive during these important early years.