Meals and Menu
Stepping Stones Early Learning Centers children are provided a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and PM snack. Stepping Stones follows the nutritional guidelines established by the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Menus will be posted on the bulletin board near the main entrance. You may request a copy to take home if you would like.
Children will be encouraged to sample all foods that are offered but will never be forced to eat. Please inform your child’s teacher if your child cannot eat a certain food or has different dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant) so a substitution can be made. For certain dietary restrictions, you may be asked to provide food from home for your child.
Please make sure your child is at the daycare before meals and snacks. If they come after a meal or snack is served, please make sure they eat before they come. The provider will not serve food after the scheduled meal/snack times. Infants under 12 months are fed on an on-demand basis however, children who eat off of the menu can only eat the menu food at scheduled meal times.
Meal Times
- Breakfast: 6:00am - 8:00am
- Lunch: 11:30am - 12:15pm
- PM Snack: 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Baby Food
Infants 6-11 months: The provider will supply solids upon parent/guardian request when baby is developmentally ready. Baby led weaning is the preferred method of feeding, but pureed foods are also acceptable. Please let the provider know your preference and what foods your child may or may not have. You may provide a list and add as needed if preferred. Formula or breast milk will still be served until the child’s 12-month Birthday. When a child turns 12 months, only table food will be offered.
Infants 0-5 months: Formula or breastmilk is permitted only.
Bottles
Stepping Stones will supply Wellsley Farms infant formula with iron, premium until 12 months of age. If the parent/guardian chooses not to use this formula, the parent/guardian must bring in their preferred formula brand or breast milk clearly labeled with your child’s name and the date and a form must be signed stating that the parent/guardian is bringing their own formula or breastmilk. The contents of a bottle, both breast milk and formula, must be eaten within 1 hour from the beginning of a feeding and will be discarded after the hour is up. If a bottle is left un-refrigerated for 1 hour or more, it will be discarded. Mothers who are breastfeeding can store milk in the classroom refrigerator/freezer, all breastmilk must be labeled with your child’s name and date it was pumped. Frozen breast milk can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Opened jar food can be left in the refrigerator for 24 hours. All formula and breast milk (except for frozen or powder) not used in the days’ time, must be taken home. It cannot be left at the center overnight.
*Bottles will not be permitted after 13 months of age unless there is a medical reason for your child to have one.
Food Allergies
Based on the needs of the children at each center, a classroom may be peanut/egg free. Please see classroom teachers for further information. In the case a classroom is peanut/egg free, no food containing, or processed in a facility with peanuts/eggs, are allowed in that classroom.
Food Allergy Action Plan
If your child has a food allergy, please complete a Food Allergy Action Plan form, available in the office. This form will be posted in your child’s room, as well as in food preparation areas. If medication for an allergic reaction is provided, please have your physician sign the Food Allergy Action Plan as well.