Childcare Kitchen & Nutrition Safety Checklist [FREE PDF]

Childcare cooks and directors use this checklist per USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern requirements and state childcare food service licensing for child nutrition safety.

  • Industry: Childcare / Food Service
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Role: Childcare Cook / Director
  • Total Items: 8
  • Compliance: USDA CACFP 7 CFR 226, State Childcare Food Licensing

Meal Preparation & Safety

Verify safe meal preparation for children.

  • Are cooking temperatures verified and hot/cold holding maintained properly?
  • Are children's food allergies posted in the kitchen and verified before serving?
  • Do meals meet CACFP meal pattern requirements for the age groups served?
  • Meal prep notes

Kitchen Sanitation

Verify kitchen sanitation and choking prevention.

  • Are food contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment cleaned and sanitized?
  • Are foods cut to appropriate sizes to prevent choking for the age groups (grapes halved, etc.)?
  • Is food stored properly with labels, dates, and chemicals separated from food items?
  • Kitchen sanitation notes

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Why Use This Childcare Kitchen & Nutrition Safety Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This childcare kitchen & nutrition safety checklist [free pdf] helps childcare / food service teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for childcare cook / director professionals, this checklist covers 8 critical inspection points across 2 sections. Recommended frequency: daily.

Ensures compliance with USDA CACFP 7 CFR 226, State Childcare Food Licensing. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Childcare Kitchen & Nutrition Safety Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 8 inspection items across 2 sections: Meal Preparation & Safety, Kitchen Sanitation. It is designed for childcare / food service operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily. Each completion takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

Who should use this Childcare Kitchen & Nutrition Safety Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Childcare Cook / Director professionals in the childcare / food service industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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