Is Breakfast and/or lunch required at Preschools?

Question

I have a question about preschools and food in california. My son attends a preschool in town and they just sent home a flyer today saying that they will no longer be serving breakfast & lunch. They don't really have an explaination for it, but says that they will serve a small snack instead. Which consists of 1/2 cup celery, 1 tbsp of peanut butter & a cup of water. I know this because I was sent home with a new menu for snacks. I'm upset as you can tell. But I'm writing because I can't find any where if it's a rule that california state ran preschools need to have meals or 1 meal. Is it a requirement for them? I'm finding a lot of websites about preschool nutrition. But doesn't that mean that they have to have food? I would be so grateful for any information that you have. Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

i worked at a preschool for 4 summers and they dont have breakfast. they give snacks, but dont have to give lunch. the kids are supposed to(parents pack it). i dont know about any laws in california(thats where i am from too), i just know my preschool.

Answer 2

It probably has to do with the number of hours the kids are there but it differs from state to state. It may also be different if the program is licensed by something like the Department of Social Services or is considered part of the public schools. You have to find out which one your son's program is. Most half day programs under three hours usually serve only a snack or have the parents provide one. Check the licensing regulations in your state. By the way, if the program is receiving USDA funding for meals and snacks they have very rigid requirements about how much food must be served. Call your local USDA office to see if the program receives funding.

Answer 3

Look on the California state website under childcare or daycare licensing requirements. Here, in Michigan 3 meals are required daily. So I would assume that they have some requirement. The catch is that the small celery and peanut butter may qualify. I understand your reaction.

Answer 4

It depends on what the times they go to preschool if lunch time is when they are in pre-school then yes they are suppose to serve lunch.  Breakfast on the other hand id not required to be served.  I think you should go and talk wid the head of the pre-school and ask why they are no longer serving lunch that is in my oppinion very inhuman.  Just a snack is not going to last them the whole day they are toddlers still and that means they are very active and will need good nutrition to help them be healthy.

Answer 5

It has to do with the number of hours that the children are in care.  I work in CA, and Headstart and other federally funded preschools are required to provide a meal (snack is considered "a meal") for each three hour time block.  I was unclear from your message whether it is a state or federally funded program, or simply a preschool in CA state.  However, in public schools free lunches/breakfasts must be provided for children who qualify financially (if their parents receive Welfare).  There is also a provision in the law which states that these rules apply to schools serving children in first-12th grades- nothing is mentioned about preschool. However, schools do NOT have to provide for children who are not in the free program (say, your child forgets their lunch money one day, all the school must offer is milk.)  Usually a nice lunch lady will not let a child go hungry, however, and sneak some food their way.  : )  Programs for preschools are getting cut in funds, and preschools have to cut where they can... sadly, this usually leads to cutting out breakfasts/lunches because it is costly.  As far as I can find out, providing breakfasts and lunches is not required by preschools in CA.  You can contact your local school district's nutrition center to get more info on your exact areas' guidelines.

Answer 6

Hmmm.  My boys attended California state preschool and they were served lunch, but not breakfast.  The Headstarts serve breakfast/lunch for AM class and lunch/snack for PM.

That's strange.  All the sites I could find for State preschool served lunch.

Ask the teacher or the site administrator what's going on.