September marks Baby Safety Month, a crucial annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the paramount importance of keeping our littlest ones safe. For childcare providers, this month serves as a poignant reminder of the weighty responsibility we bear in safeguarding the precious lives entrusted to our care. Creating a secure environment for infants requires
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays a crucial role in providing nutritious meals to children and adults in care settings. CACFP recipes are essential to ensure that participants receive balanced and delicious meals that meet program requirements. Developing menus that are both appealing and compliant can be challenging, but with the right
Physical activity is crucial for children’s health and development. As National Exercise with Your Child Week approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore engaging exercise for kids. Regular physical activity not only promotes fitness but also enhances cognitive function, social skills, and emotional well-being in children. From yoga to sports, there are countless ways to
The USDA has officially announced updated CACFP reimbursement rates, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. These new rates include welcome increases across most meal categories, offering additional support for family child care providers, centers, and sponsoring organizations. If you’re a KidKare customer, these updates are already reflected in your KidKare Account! What’s New in
In the ever-changing landscape of childcare management, staying ahead means embracing technology that evolves with your needs. This month, we’re excited to announce that Parachute has transformed from a robust financial software into a comprehensive childcare management system with powerful new features designed to streamline your operations and enhance parent communication. The Evolution of Parachute With 30 years of industry experience behind
Creating and managing a budget for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) can feel overwhelming, especially with changing regulations and fiscal requirements. As a CACFP sponsor overseeing multiple sites, your budget isn’t just a financial document—it’s the foundation of your program’s success and compliance. This CACFP budget guide will walk sponsors through the
In the world of childcare and adult care services, participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides vital financial support for serving nutritious meals. However, the path to successful program participation is paved with detailed requirements, extensive documentation, and regular monitoring. Understanding how centers and providers can make or break CACFP compliance
Food safety is essential in any childcare setting. When hungry children are waiting to be fed, you can’t risk serving them anything that might make them sick. That’s why it’s so important to know how to handle and store food properly. This article covers food safety guidelines for childcare programs. There are four main areas
Children are born innocent. They don’t have any prejudices or biases. As they grow, they’ll inevitably misunderstand things, but that’s because they’re learning about the world around them and how everything fits together. They’re exploring the unknown, and the unknown can be scary if there isn’t someone there to teach them and help them understand
Creating nutritious meals for infants in childcare settings is both a responsibility and an opportunity. As a childcare provider, you’re tasked with following the CACFP infant meal pattern while also introducing little ones to a world of flavors and textures. This balance between regulatory compliance and culinary creativity can sometimes feel challenging. The CACFP infant
