FNS Documents & Resources

This Instruction clarifies two issues concerning the staff-child ratios established for child care centers and outside-school-hours care centers in the CACFP regulations (226.6(d)(2)): (1) Are staff-child ratios based on actual attendance or on enrollment; and (2) When children from various age groups are in attendance, how is the necessary minimum number of staff members determined?

This Instruction provides clarification of the standards used for determining the independence of the review officer who will conduct the institution appeal procedure. Section 226.6(k) sets such standards.

Section 226.15(c) of the Child and Adult Care Food Program regulations requires that all institutions accept final administrative and financial responsibility for their operations under the Program. The provision also stipulates that, "...no institution may contract out for the management of the Program."

This Instruction is intended to clarify the policy concerning classifying applicants in the CACFP. The classification of certain center programs as either independent centers or sponsoring organization/sponsored center(s) should be made from the program administrative information contained on the Application for Participation and Management Plan for Sponsoring Organizations.

Section 226.15(e) of the current regulations requires institutions to establish procedures to collect and maintain necessary program records. 

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989 amended the National School Lunch Act to provide for additional administrative payments to sponsoring organizations wishing to expand into rural and low-income areas.

We recently received an inquiry regarding the appropriate interpretation of that the portion of Section 226.6(d)(3) f the CACFP) regulations that reads “Licensing or approval is not available when (i) no federal, state or local licensing/approval standards have been established for child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, or day care homes; or (ii) no mechanism exists to determine compliance with licensing approval standards.”

Attached is the third set of questions and answers on the two-tiered reimbursement structure for family day care homes in the CACFP. Also attached are: (1) “Enrollment and Attendance List Examples”; and (2) “Computing Reimbursement for a Tier H Mixed Home.”

Attached is the third set of questions and answers on the two-tiered reimbursement structure for family day care homes in the CACFP. Also attached are: (1) “Enrollment and Attendance List Examples”; and (2) “Computing Reimbursement for a Tier H Mixed Home.”