Dinner or Snack?

[EchoMom]

What must be served to count PM snack as dinner instead of just snack?

[Childminder]

1 grain
1 meat/protein
2 fruit and veggie
1 dairy milk

[Heidi]

same as lunch....

[Lyss]

From what I've been told it's the same requirements as lunch.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/ProgramBasics/Meals/Meal_Patterns.htm#Child_LunchSupper

[slpender]

Where I am it is the same requirements as lunch but in order for it to count as dinner the kids has to be fed after 5:00 pm.

[daycare]

Where I am it is the same requirements as lunch but in order for it to count as dinner the kids has to be fed after 5:00 pm.

ditto for me here too in CA

[Blackcat31]

Where I am it is the same requirements as lunch but in order for it to count as dinner the kids has to be fed after 5:00 pm.

Same requirements as lunch but we don't have time contraints on our feeding schedule.

I could "technically" serve kids supper/dinner any time after our normal P.M. snack time.

[itlw8]

Same requirements as lunch but we don't have time contraints on our feeding schedule.

I could "technically" serve kids supper/dinner any time after our normal P.M. snack time.

check the fed guidelines it is in there I was thinking it was 4:30 but I never looked as I am not going there

And if you claim dinner on the food program expect a visit to see it unannounced and you had better be serving dinner that day. Seems there is lots of fraud in this area. They want to see the children are picked up late enough to actually EAT the meal also


If you have children till 6 or later and the parents don't eat as a family then it could be a selling point for them for their children to have already eaten dinner. But If they pick up at 5:30 and like the family time to bond that child will not eat again in 30 minutes.

[crazydaycarelady]

I am pretty sure on the FP you can only claim 2 meals per day, so if you serve breakfast and lunch then the 3rd feeding would have to be a snack.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I had this conversation with my food lady yesterday. In our program it is "Suggested serving time between 4:30- 7:00pm" So, she said to me it is suggested. She suggested I say 4:00 we would finish at 4:30 If we happen to eat a little early because that is the way the day is going well....
So, I am now counting breakfast as am snack, lunch and dinner.

[Blackcat31]

check the fed guidelines it is in there I was thinking it was 4:30 but I never looked as I am not going there

And if you claim dinner on the food program expect a visit to see it unannounced and you had better be serving dinner that day. Seems there is lots of fraud in this area. They want to see the children are picked up late enough to actually EAT the meal also

Again, federal regulations...agency interpretations. Different across the whole country I guess.

I close at 5:00 and have served dinner as early as 4:00 or 4:30 before.

I often claim and serve dinner to a few kids who are here all day.....especially when they have to get picked up and immediately brought to an older siblings practice/game or a parent has an appointment and won't be going right home.

I have never received a visit (announced or unanounced) due to dinner being claimed or served. I also don't serve a full out dinner either. I simply serve the correct components.

Like Mrs Steinel's House, our meal and snack times are wide and overlapping. For example my breakfast time is 7:00 am until 10:00 am but my morning snack time is 9:00 to 11:30.

[itlw8]

so what time do you have to eat lunch then ? We eat at 11:30 so that would be too long. my kids would miss playing outside so it is not an option just curious.

[Blackcat31]

so what time do you have to eat lunch then ? We eat at 11:30 so that would be too long. my kids would miss playing outside so it is not an option just curious.

I serve lunch at 11:30. Our food program has us write down extended and overlapping times so the kids who don't all arrive at one specific time can still be fed too. I think it is just their way of making sure everyone is included and can be fed and claimed without having to have such strict meal times/schedules.

The point of the food program is to assist the provider in maintaining healthy and nutrious eating habits for the kids which means accomodating the odd arrival and departure times of ALL families.

It is up to me (the provider) what daily meal routine/schedules I use but they keep a copy of my "suggested" times so that any time I claim a meal it is during the times noted.

[Country Kids]

The last time I had an unannounced the gal was a little upset as we were getting finished up when she arrived. She said you should be serving now instead of finishing up.

Well I had an appt. to go to and honestly didn't think of calling her. I really don't like having to remember to do that everytime I may have to serve at a different time. UUUGGGGHHHH!!!!