Daycare and food...

ashcart01

There is a center in the town I live in where most of the teachers take their kids. (This place doesn't charge in the summer if you keep your kid at home!)

I'm nervous. Everyone has told me how great the place is, but I have some worries.

In my curiosity I have been asking my friends about what the kids are fed at said daycare, and the answers have sometimes been less than stellar.

DH and I are health nuts. This is one of those things I can't "give" on. I understand she (daycare lady) may not have organic milk and chicken...NBD... but she gives cookies to kids who are 12 months old. My 12 month old doesn't need a cookie, and (hopefully) won't even know what a cookie is at that point.

Will the lady be offended if I tell her my child's diet requirements? My kid can eat what the other kids are eating as long as it isn't canned ravioli, crappy mac and cheese, french fries, treats...you get my drift. I will just ask her for a weekly menu, and days that she is serving something I'm not a huge fan of, I can bring my kids food. 

Is this normal?

There are only two centers in my small town. The other one is already ruled out.

I know that my child won't be eating food for a little while, but I am super worried and I can't stop stressing about it.  

Sawyerplus1

I'm a SAHM, so I'm not exactly sure how daycares would address that, but my advice to you would to just be honest with the providers, explain your requirements/concerns, and see if/how they can accommodate you. I'm guessing if they can't or wont accommodate your needs, they'll tell you as much. 

 

Beth1031

I'm on staff at a church that has a pre-school academy, while we do not serve lunches (the kids bring their own).  We do serve breakfast and snacks to the children here.  There are several kids here that have special diets, allergies and other dietary restrictions.  None of the teachers or directors get offended when kids bring their own food or opt out of something.  I would  have a serious conversation about your wishes for your child's nutrition and what you do not want them to eat and make sure they understand and respect your wishes... some people do not understand health conscious parents and think they are nuts and will purposefully give your child things you do not want them to have.  If they are ok with the arrangement use that center, if not, I might suggest a private in-home if there is one you are comfortable with (and can find one).  DH and I are semi-health nuts and I don't want my LO having un-nescessary processed or sugary foods prior to their first bday, but my MIL seems to think it is ok to give a 5 or 6 month old a spoonful of frosting, and has argued it with me.... needless to say, she will not be doing the babysitting..... Schedule a walk through,  make sure you are on the waiting list (it can take a really long time for an opening) and discuss your dietary nutrition concerns.  Good luck!

lyo4785

I am a director at a learning center and before our center switched entirely to packed lunches (due to food allergies and just making it simpler) we gave the monthly menu and the parents had the choice to pack their child lunch or have them eat the meal provided. I think it is totally normal for you to be cautious of what your child is eating and the center should not have an issue with that. 

Indy15

All accredited child care centers should give out a weekly menu, that way if you wanted to switch out for different snacks or meals you can do so. They should also have you fill out a diet restriction form.  My center has a lot of children whose parents don"t want us giving them the provided cookie/sugary snack so we give them them whatever the parents brought in to substitute. Now and days more kids have allergies or religious food restrictions, so the center should accomidate your needs and wants

 

katmacwv

When DD was 2, she was diagnosed with a milk allergy, so there were a number of items on the menu that she couldn't eat.  We brought in a number of substitutions and the cook would prepare them with the other food (generally just pop in the microwave or I would pre-cook at home so she could microwave).  I got fed up with paying full tuition and supplying so much of my own food, so I spoke to the Department of Health and Human Resources about it.  Since this is an accredited center, it turns out they should have been providing as many dairy-free options to her as possible instead of having me bring food in.  The DHHR wasn't happy that the cook was preparing outside food- period.  So, you'll need to talk to the center to see if outside food is permitted.

pinkcallalily

I don't think it's a big deal to send your own food, but as your child gets older they will start to want what the other kids have.  We try to feed our son a pretty healthy diet, but I don't mind if he has treats from time to time.  Our daycare has cookies for a snack twice a month and I let him eat them without a problem.  We don't let him have juice, but he's constantly asking for it since the other kids get it so I think we'll start letting them put a splash of juice in some water for him.  They always drink milk with meals, but sometimes they have juice with snacks.

We use a center and they have pretty strict health requirements they meet for meals, but they do have "good" stuff for snacks sometimes although it's usually fruit or cheese with crackers.  I just don't want my son to wonder why the other kids get "good" food when he's stuck with healthier options so I'm flexible with daycare food.  However, he's almost 2 and I've become more flexible over time.  I didn't let him have all of this stuff at 12 months.

greyeyes15

As long as you teach your kids moderation and healthy eating it shouldnt be a big deal if they get canned ravioli or mac n cheese at daycare.  i grew up on that stuff...its gooood!  no offense, but i think these days people get too crazy with diets and canned food, etc.  unless you have a food allergy or the such...

if i were sent to school with a packed lunched and there was ravioli...id toss my lunch and eat the good stuff.  thats what kids do...they want to eat the good stuff with the rest of the kids.

ashcart01

greyeyes15:

As long as you teach your kids moderation and healthy eating it shouldnt be a big deal if they get canned ravioli or mac n cheese at daycare.  i grew up on that stuff...its gooood!  no offense, but i think these days people get too crazy with diets and canned food, etc.  unless you have a food allergy or the such...

if i were sent to school with a packed lunched and there was ravioli...id toss my lunch and eat the good stuff.  thats what kids do...they want to eat the good stuff with the rest of the kids.

 

While I understand what you're saying, it's a little hard  to teach my kid moderation when they are twelve months old. My post was talking about the early months in daycare, not the school years . By the time they are old enough to figure it out on their own, they will be in school and have my work schedule, so we won't need daycare (I'm a teacher). 

Once my kid is old enough, they can have "snacks" from time to time, but a one year old eating junk food (canned stuff and cookies) like the place I am talking about is a little extreme. 

Thank you for all of your input, everyone. I am going to ask if they give out weekly menus and go from there. It's good to know that most places already do this.  

 

trish051003

Our daycare doesn't allowed outside food.  It's all approved by the hospital and meets a certain dietary criteria though.  They don't allowed outside food in because it could be made by a house w/ peanuts or have other allergens.  The meals are non-sugar cereal for breakfast, a whole grain, veggie, and protein for lunch, and two snacks such as yougart, whole wheat pretzals, soy butter and jelly on crackers, cucumbers, etc. 

 

Ask what the rules are.