Purpose

To ensure the safety, health, and developmental appropriateness of feeding practices for all children during mealtimes by maintaining proper supervision and feeding procedures.

Scope

This SOP applies to all childcare personnel responsible for feeding infants, toddlers, and young children during meals and snacks.

Responsibility

All teaching staff and caregivers are responsible for following this SOP at all times during feeding and mealtime routines.

Procedure

Step 1: Individual Feeding and Tableware

  1. Each child must be fed individually and provided with theirĀ own tablewareĀ (plates, bowls, cups, utensils).

  2. Shared utensils, cups, or plates are strictly prohibited.

  3. Staff must ensure food portions and sizes are appropriate for each childā€™sĀ age and developmental ability.

  4. Caregivers must actively observe children to confirm they are chewing and swallowing safely.

Step 2: Active Supervision During Mealtimes

  1. Children must beĀ directly supervised at all timesĀ while eating.

  2. Staff must remain positioned to:

    • Monitor for choking hazards

    • Observe pacing of eating

    • Respond immediately to distress or difficulty

  3. Children must not be distracted, rushed, or left unattended during meals or snacks.

Step 3: Infant Bottle Feeding Procedures

  1. Infants must beĀ held during bottle feedingsĀ until they are developmentally ready to:

    • Sit upright

    • Demonstrate good head and neck control

    • Use an age-appropriate feeding chair

  2. Infants mustĀ neverĀ be fed bottles while lying down or unattended.

Step 4: High Chair and Feeding Chair Safety

  1. Children may only be placed in high chairs or feeding chairsĀ during active feeding times.

  2. Children must not be left in feeding chairs before or after meals.

  3. Safety straps must be used at all timesĀ to prevent falls.

  4. Caregivers must ensure chairs are stable and positioned on a level surface.

Step 5: Prohibition of Propped Bottles

  1. Propped bottles are strictly prohibited.

  2. If a child cannot independently hold a bottle:

    • A staff member must hold the bottle for the child throughout the feeding.

  3. Bottles must never be supported by blankets, pillows, toys, or other objects.

Step 6: Feeding Devices

  1. Automatic or assisted feeding devices areĀ not permitted.

  2. Exceptions are allowedĀ only if:

    • Prescribed by a licensed physician

    • Written medical documentation is on file in the childā€™s record

Compliance

Failure to follow this SOP may result in corrective action and may constitute a licensing or safety violation.

Review & Training

  • This SOP must be reviewed during staff onboarding.

  • Annual refresher training is required.

  • Updates will be made in alignment with licensing and regulatory changes