I have my own 1 year old and she has been feeding herself for months! Mostly because she is my second and I simply do not have the time to sit down and feed her every single meal! She only eats fiinger foods and unless its yogurt or soemthing similar she is totally sufficient.

I've noticed this boy will feed himself finger foods, but most of it goes on his lap or the floor. After half his plate is gone he will just sit there, so I take his plate away. The mom seems to think he has lost weight in the last little while and if thats the case, it could be because he is not taking the initiative to eat what's in front of him.
I will mention to parents to encourage him to feed himself as best he can. I believe it is that he is not given the opportunity at home. But in daycare land, I simply cannot feed him every meal!