Although it is increasing the number of day-care centers in Korea, but the quality of food and nutrition service are not increased sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current practices of food and nutrition service in day-care centers. Questionnaire were sent to the directors of 750 day-care centers and 253 returned the complete answers. Staffing structure revealed that only 13% of the facilities had a dietitian. And compared with centers without a dietitian, there were more centers having nutritional standards, using facilities for service, and having long-term planning of meals in centers with a dietitian. In the using of foodservice budget, the centers having dietitian consumed more money for subsidiary dishes than for the staples. All centers needed increment of supplementation for the cost of foodservice and for hiring a dietitian. To improve the quality of food and nutrition services in day-care center, foodservice practices have to be conducted by professional personnel and to confirm the standard of service and to inspect the management of food and nutritional service.

• 조미숙 | Cho, Mi-Sook