Family childcare providers are the heart of their communities, creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. We love celebrating the dedication, professionalism, and creativity that providers bring to their programs every day. Today, we’re excited to introduce Miss Pam, a family childcare provider in Illinois and the creator behind @misspamslovinglearners on TikTok, where
Not every finding during a CACFP monitoring review leads to a serious deficiency declaration. State agencies have discretion, and many minor issues can be resolved through technical assistance. But some findings are so significant—or so frequently repeated—that they cross the line into serious deficiency territory. In January 2026, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service outlined specific
In January 2026, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service held its first webinar in a new training series focused exclusively on the serious deficiency process in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The message from FNS leadership was unmistakable: program integrity is a top priority in 2026, and the serious deficiency process is the primary tool
If you run a CACFP sponsor network, you already know the feeling. You start every month with a plan. By the end of the month, you’re buried in corrections, chasing signatures, prepping for reviews, and wondering where the time went. You’re not bad at your job. You’re stuck in time traps. After working alongside CACFP
Summer is around the corner – and that means it’s time to get your Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) planning in motion. The USDA just released the updated SFSP reimbursement rates for 2026, giving sponsors a clearer picture of how much funding you can expect for meals served this year – and more importantly, how to plan so you’re
Managing nutrition programs that serve 4.5 million children daily requires precision, compliance, and efficiency¹. Effective CACFP meal planning requires understanding federal guidelines and implementing systematic approaches that ensure every child receives nutritious meals while maintaining program compliance. With $3.5 billion in annual reimbursements at stake, proper planning isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for program sustainability¹. For
Childcare centers today face mounting challenges: staffing shortages, rising wage costs, and increasingly complex CACFP requirements. Among these, one issue stands out as both time-consuming and prone to errors — labor tracking. Yet, many centers still rely on outdated methods like paper timesheets, Google Sheets, or generic HR tools that don’t fit the unique needs
We had so many great questions during our Year-End Peace of Mind webinar that we wanted to follow up with clear, easy-to-understand answers — no tax degree required. Below, you’ll find answers from Mohamed, CPA, along with helpful guidance on how Parachute supports your bookkeeping and tax prep throughout the year. Tax & Bookkeeping Questions (Answered by Mohamed Aalen, CPA, MBA,
As we celebrate National Milk Day on January 11th, it’s the perfect time to highlight the crucial role milk plays in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and children’s overall development. This nutrient-rich beverage has been a cornerstone of childhood nutrition for generations, and for good reason. The Nutritional Powerhouse: Why Milk Matters
Feeding children every day is one of the biggest costs of running a family child care. Whether you’re already on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) — or not quite ready yet — you do have ways to recoup a portion of what you spend on food. This post explains the two financial “roads” you
