A young child’s nutrition is of vital importance to their growth and development. Discovery Learning Academy has a nutritional policy that staff, administration, and parents must follow.
Infants: Infants bottles are to be sent in by the parents pre-mixed and ready to feed. All bottle parts shall be labeled with the child’s first and last name and the date. They will be stored in a refrigerator, heated to room temperature in a crock pot, fed to the child, and placed in the child’s cubby or bag. The date and time that the bottle was heated will be on the bottle. No food or cereal may be fed to a child 4 months or younger without a doctor’s note granting permission. Children over the age of four months old will be fed only food provided by the parents as instructed to the teachers. Once fed to the child, the food may not be fed to them again. It will be thrown away or packaged to send home. Food must be nutritious and age appropriate.
One Year & Over: Discovery Learning Academy provides a morning and an afternoon snack. Snack calendars are posted outside of each classroom and lobby at the start of each month. Snack food is served in USDA suggested portions for children in each age group. They are measured and served per child. One snack is served with milk and the other with a juice/water mixture. Snack foods are a variety of fruits, crackers, cereal, and cheese. If a substitution must be made, it is noted on the master snack calendar. Parents may choose to send in a snack of their choice for their child. Please make the teacher and office staff aware if this is the case. Children bring their lunch from home, daily. Discovery Learning Academy does not heat or refrigerate lunches. Lunches that need to be cooled should be packed with a cold pack. Warm lunches may be sent in thermoses. All lunch pieces shall have the child’s first and last name on them (bowls, lids, bags, etc.). Lunches must include a drink. Eating utensils and a napkin should be sent from home, if needed. Staff will utilize a Sharpie Marker to write names on any pieces that do not have names on them. Lunches should be part of a balanced diet and should include a variety of healthy foods. Pack food that your child enjoys eating. For healthy, age appropriate lunch suggestions, please see the office staff or your child’s teacher. The following items may NOT be included in lunches: sodas, canned drinks, candy, drink powders that must be mixed.
VPK: Children who attend as a VPK only student will provide their own “working” snack (drink is optional). Students who stay at Discovery for wrap around care will bring their own lunch (same policies as above apply). Afternoon snack is provided.
If a parent fails to send in a lunch, Discovery Learning Academy staff will notify the parent as soon as possible. The parent must provide lunch before the class’ scheduled lunch time. If a parent is unable to bring a lunch to the child, staff will provide a lunch (from a local restaurant) at the cost of $8.00 which will be billed to the parent.
Allergies: Any known allergies should be listed on the child’s registration forms. If a new allergy is discovered, notify the teacher and office staff so that the paper work may be updated. Allergy notifications are emailed to all administrative staff and teachers who work with the child. Allergies are posted in a conspicuous place in the classroom. If a food is being served that a child may not have, they are provided with an alternate snack. All children with an allergy shall be separated from another child with that particular food. The teacher will work to ensure that the child does not come in contact with the allergen. In the event of accidental contact, staff will follow the proper procedures put into place by the parents. In the case of a very severe allergy, please discuss a detailed plan with the administrative staff.
Parties, Cooking, Food Activities: In order for parents to monitor their child’s nutrition (and as per DCF policy), no student may participate in any food activity without a signed permission slip. This includes birthday/holiday parties and cooking activities. A parent has the right to choose for their child not to participate in these activities.
By signing below, you acknowledge that you have been provided the nutritional plan and understand the Discovery Learning Academy guidelines.