All staff at First Circle are trained in food health and safety, so that we can prepare and serve meals in a safe and sanitary manner. We require that parents follow these same guidelines.
NEW FOODS For infants and toddlers, the introduction of new foods must be done at home before sending them into First Circle.
TEMPERATURE For all food requiring refrigeration for toddlers and preschool, you must include an ice pack in an insulated cooler. For infants, we have a refrigerator in each classroom. Food is stored between 32-40 degrees, as verified by a refrigerator thermometer, and logged monthly.
PREPARATION The classrooms are not equipped with microwaves. If sending food for your child to be eaten warm, please send it in a thermos in your child’s lunch box. Please do not send food in a form that requires preparation or a can opener.
ALLERGIES Please indicate on the Enrollment Form at the time of enrollment or as soon as is diagnosed by your child’s health care provider. If your child has food allergies or a special diet, you will need to complete an Allergy Action Plan and/or provide documentation of your child’s special dietary needs [see Health and Safety].
NUT-FREE We are a nut-free program, and all the snacks we serve are nut-free. Please do not send any nut products to school (check food labels and packaging). This includes nuts in muffins or bread and of course, peanut butter (however, soy nut butter is fine!).
CHOKING HAZARDS Over 10,000 children each year end up in the emergency room because of food-choking injuries. A small child’s windpipe is about the size of a drinking straw, and many types of food that are perfectly safe for older children or adults can pose a choking hazard for small children. In accordance with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, First Circle requires that your child’s food be sent to school in the following manner:
For infants, toddlers, and younger preschoolers, cut foods into bite-size pieces, even if your child is able to eat larger pieces [see Choking Hazards]. Food should be easy for children to manage, to allow children to feed themselves.
Food should be cut into pieces no larger than ¼-inch square for infants (pea-sized) and ½-inch square for toddlers and young preschoolers.
Vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans should be diced, shredded, or cooked and cut up.
Fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls should be quartered, and apples and harder fruits cut into pieces as stipulated above.
Meats and cheeses (especially hot dogs) should be cut into very small pieces or shredded.
STORAGE + SANITATION All food must be brought in containers labeled with your child’s name, and any food that has not been served to your child must be taken home at night. Check expiration dates—we cannot serve food to a child beyond the recommended dates of use. As required by EEC, educators must dispose of or return milk, formula, or food unfinished by a child, as directed by the parent. All First Circle food is stored in clean, covered containers or sealed storage bags. All bottles, eating and drinking utensils, dishes, and preparation utensils are appropriate to the ages and needs of the children, including children with disabilities, and are checked to ensure they are free from defects. Disposable cups and plates are used for serving snacks in the preschool program. For infants, all implements are washed and sanitized after each use.