How does a center benefit from participation in the Child Care Food Program?
Participation enables child care providers to cover the cost of serving nutritious meals to children. This is important to help children form healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime as well as ensure they receive all the nutrients needed for optimum growth and development.
What are the benefits of partnering with 4C to participate in the Child Care Food Program?
The benefits of partnering with 4C include a simplified enrollment process to start the Child Care Food Program, training, and technical assistance, help with planning menus, scoring parent applications, reviewing receipts and labor documents, and the use of Minute Menu CX for data entry and claim submission.
How often will my center be audited by the state?
4C is audited, not the center, and 4C is responsible for responding to audit reports and repayment of money if non-compliance issues are found. In essence, unless your center is randomly selected to be monitored by the state office, the center has minimal contact with the Department of Health, Bureau of Child Nutrition.
What are the steps to get started on the Child Care Food Program under 4C sponsorship?
The first step is attending orientation training which explains the Child Care Food Program’s policies and regulations to which all providers must adhere. The training is free and offered every month, click here for training dates. Upon completion of orientation, a CCFP team member will conduct a pre-approval visit of the center and compile all documents for state approval. Once state approval is received, the center will be notified of their start date.
In what counties does 4C serve as a sponsor for child care centers who want to be on the Child Care Food Program?
4C is a sponsor of the Child Care Food Program in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Polk counties.
What kind of license or certificate does the center need to participate in the Child Care Food Program under 4C sponsorship?
A center may have a DCF license or if they are religious exempt, they may have a religious accreditation certificate.
What are the requirements for participation in the Child Care Food Program?
A “for-profit” center must have a DCF license and must have 25 percent or more children enrolled who quality for free or reduced meals based on the applications completed by the parents. Non-profit centers automatically qualify for the program. They do not need to meet the 25 percent criteria.
When a center participates in the Child Care Food Program, who provides the food?
The center is responsible for purchasing food for the children based on menus which have been submitted to and approved by 4C Food Program Specialists.
How does a center pay for the food for their first month on the program?
In the first month, the center pays for the food and keeps track of the number of meals served to children.
When does a center receive its first reimbursement check?
The first reimbursement check is received approximately 1.5 months after starting the program. Before the end of the second month, the center will have its first reimbursement check direct-deposited into their bank account.
Is a center reimbursed for the amount of money spent on food and non-food items purchased during the month?
The amount of reimbursement is based on the number of meals served and not on the amount of money spent on food and supplies. We require that receipts for food and non-food be submitted to ensure that reimbursement money is spent on food and supplies for the Child Care Food Program.
How many meals or snacks can be claimed for each child each day?
The Child Care Food Program will reimburse a center for two meals and one snack or two snacks and one meal for each child each day.