Bhavini Patel

“When I changed my career from nutrition to child care, I didn’t know how I was going to use my education in nutrition. Then I realized I could perfectly use my knowledge with the children I’m going to take care of. I’m making sure children are getting healthy, nutritious meals and an early foundation for a healthy lifestyle.”

 

As a family child care home, Bhavini invites children and their families into her home where the living room, kitchen and spare room are all dedicated to child care. Kirkland Child Care is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, where Bhavini and her assistant care for ten children ranging from 14 months to five and a half years old. The educational foundation at Kirkland Child Care is play-based learning, where children are engaged in age- and developmentally appropriate topics that align with their interests.

Although their doors open at 7:30 am, Bhavini’s day starts at 5:30 in the morning. Before the children arrive, Bhavini prepares  breakfast, lunch and two snacks. Because they must maintain their staff-to-child ratios, it isn’t feasible for Bhavini to prepare the meals while the children are in care. Bhavini makes all of the meals herself. She prefers to serve mostly hot meals for breakfast and lunch, which she reheats before serving to the children.  .

The children are also allowed to help decide what will be on the menu. As Bhavini plans the weekly menu, she invites the children to share the foods they would like to eat. She uses these discussions as a valuable opportunity to teach nutrition, helping children understand how to build a balanced, healthy plate.

 

“There are times that we involve the children to plan a menu for the next day. I will say ‘ What would you like to eat? Give me some options.’ That helps with their education. If they say they want noodles, I will ask them what they want for the vegetables.”

 

Nutrition education also happens during meal time. At Kirkland Child Care, all of the children sit together for all of their meals and snacks, which allows for peer learning. Bhavini also educates the children about the vitamins and minerals in the foods they're eating and how they help their bodies grow healthy and strong. The children’s families have shared that the children bring this education home with them and tell their parents all about the foods that they eat. Bhavini believes that one of the most valuable benefits of the CACFP is its emphasis on nutrition education.

 

“CACFP isn’t just a reimbursement program. It’s a framework that elevates learning skills for the children and the quality of care that we provide to the families that we support.”

 

With her background in nutrition, Bhavini also recognizes the impact that the CACFP can have on long-term health. She understands how the nutrition education she provides and the healthy food she serves can influence the overall health and development of young children. That’s why Bhavini plans to continue participating in the CACFP, to continue building a strong foundation for the children she serves.

 

“My motivation comes from believing early food experience shapes lifelong habits. CACFP gives the structure to makes sure that every child is supported by nutritious meals during their foundational years. It is a huge deal for me that I am responsible for giving them healthy nourishment for their whole child development.”