Providing lunches

[Tinyones1981]

Does anyone not provide lunches for their clients, but instead have the clients bring their own lunches. I've heard of this but don't know anyone who does it, any thoughts???

[mattsmom]

I had one school age boy a while ago that was a very picky eater. When he was with me for Christmas break or p.a. days, his mom would pack him his own lunch because she knew that he wouldn't eat anything otherwise.

Other than that, parents send their own food only if the child has special dietary needs.

[AmandaKDT]

I don't provide any food - parents provide all snacks, lunch, juice, milk. I have never had any parent question it, or balk at it. But my rates are already quite alot lower than any other home daycare around because I don't provide food AND my rates are subsidized by the government since I am licensed - so if parents want low rates and a good daycare they have to send their own food.

But I find in a whole it works out just fine this way. None of the kids get upset because they are eating different food than their friends and I don't have to worry about having food prepared for 6 kids everyday. Every once and awhile I wish I provided food just because I don't like the quality of some of the food that gets sent, but generally the parents send good stuff that they know their child will eat. I have a no junk food policy, if it gets sent it won't be served.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think if I needed to cut costs and raising my fee wasn't an option, I would go this route. I have had children in the past who had their food sent due to allergies and it was fine. I never ran into the "I want what johnny has" problem and even if I did, so what? They eventually need to learn that we don't always get what our friend has anyways so it would just be teaching them young! lol

I don't mind providing the meals and snacks as I've been told it was part of the reason they chose me (there are a few dc's in my city that apparently don't supply it) but there are definitely times that I can see why it would be a benefit if the children brought their own food.

[Isawitfirst]

I currently have a family that supplies food. They want her to have only organic foods and no white flour and little sugar. We are not organic due to cost and I do bake for the kids (muffins, apple crisp) so didn't fit with my menu. They also do not want her food microwaved. They send her food in a thermos. There is no reduction in fee. She is just over one year old. So far it is working but I see in the near future her wanting what others have. Will take things a day at a time.

[daycaremom9]

I don't serve food but am also lower priced comparatively. If I had to I would lower my price before I would serve food. I don't know how you ladies do it! Just curious, do the dc providers here get many complaints about the food you're serving?

[superfun]

I've never has any complaints about what I serve. in fact, I would say I get the opposite. they're just happy that the kids eat healthy, and typically more than they eat at home.

[SillyGirl_C]

I think a good compromise is having parents supply the snacks for the day and the daycare provide a hot lunch. Splits the cost and effort between both parties. Of course...special needs means parents need to accommodate. No sugar OR white flour. Poor kid...LOL Seriously though, I wish I was that 'on it'.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I don't serve food but am also lower priced comparatively. If I had to I would lower my price before I would serve food. I don't know how you ladies do it! Just curious, do the dc providers here get many complaints about the food you're serving?

I think I serve fairly healthy lunches but with treats mixed in...I've never gotten any complaints from parents. The kids on the other hand.....lol. Actually I've had pretty good eaters so I shouldn't complain too much!

I finally gave them hummus (I'm not a dipper so I never think to buy/make it lol) and today was day 3...all ate it!!!! The first 2 days they wouldn't touch it and those who did, didn't like it. Progress!

[superfun]

None of mine will touch hummus. But you've inspired me. I should keep trying. I think I tried it 3 times, but maybe I shouldn't have given up after that!

[5 Little Monkeys]

They say you need to try something 10x so I try and keep that in mind! It was a boughten one...it's plain but has a hint of garlic to it but nothing major. It's not really my thing so I'm glad they ate it today! Hopefully they finish it up next week before it goes bad lol.

I still give them avocado and no one eats it....it's been well over 10x, I should probably just stop wasting it on them! Haha

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Does anyone not provide lunches for their clients, but instead have the clients bring their own lunches. I've heard of this but don't know anyone who does it, any thoughts???

Some carer here don't include food or milk. But it's no allways good idea. Some Moms bring microwave meals and that take lots of time to do when all different. Some Moms forget or do not bring enough and the child is hungry and the day home has to use their own stuff. Some moms are good at it but some are not - stinky sandwich from corner store and mouldy food can come if lazy parent.

[AmandaKDT]

Some carer here don't include food or milk. But it's no allways good idea. Some Moms bring microwave meals and that take lots of time to do when all different. Some Moms forget or do not bring enough and the child is hungry and the day home has to use their own stuff. Some moms are good at it but some are not - stinky sandwich from corner store and mouldy food can come if lazy parent.

Most days the kids here need their food microwaved, no big deal - just takes a few minutes to warm everything up. I form a little line of dishes and my daughter helps me microwave the lunches everyday.

All the other things can get handled with good communication with the parents. If a child doesn't have enough then I inform them face to face and they make sure they send more. If the food is old and no good, I call the parent and get them to bring new food (actually had this happen once). I hold the parents accountable and responsible and it is always taken care of.

[bright sparks]

I think there are pros and cons to the whole lunch situation. I've done daycare for 9 years and have always provided food. I cook from scratch and nothing processed and while I love it, it is an incredible amount of work. I could see a lot of parents preferring meals to be included because if that parent is leaving the house at 7 and not getting in until 5 or 6, making that extra meal is extra work for them. It's just a case of being organized and making sure there are leftovers from evening meals and doing weekend meal and snack prep, but some parents are not good at being organized. We all have strengths and weakness' right!

I also think it is another thing similar to paid vacation where it depends on your market and the norm for your area. In areas that are saturated with providers and the norm is to have meals included, if a provider were to request meals from parents, there is a greater chance of losing potential clients to the other providers who provide meals. Inclusive meals is a major convenience for parents. If there is no option at large for included meals, then parents will accept it as a norm and not question it.

I would really like to not have to cook for anyone but my family, perhaps I would eat better as a result because I wouldn't give my everything to all the kids in my care and my own children and then resort to take out and drive thru because I can't bear the thought of cooking again. In reality though, not providing meals would be a deal breaker for most families.

[AmandaKDT]

I think there are pros and cons to the whole lunch situation. I've done daycare for 9 years and have always provided food. I cook from scratch and nothing processed and while I love it, it is an incredible amount of work. I could see a lot of parents preferring meals to be included because if that parent is leaving the house at 7 and not getting in until 5 or 6, making that extra meal is extra work for them. It's just a case of being organized and making sure there are leftovers from evening meals and doing weekend meal and snack prep, but some parents are not good at being organized. We all have strengths and weakness' right!

I also think it is another thing similar to paid vacation where it depends on your market and the norm for your area. In areas that are saturated with providers and the norm is to have meals included, if a provider were to request meals from parents, there is a greater chance of losing potential clients to the other providers who provide meals. Inclusive meals is a major convenience for parents. If there is no option at large for included meals, then parents will accept it as a norm and not question it.

I would really like to not have to cook for anyone but my family, perhaps I would eat better as a result because I wouldn't give my everything to all the kids in my care and my own children and then resort to take out and drive thru because I can't bear the thought of cooking again. In reality though, not providing meals would be a deal breaker for most families.

Totally agree with everything you wrote. That is too bad that you don't have enough energy to be eating all the amazing food you provide the kids.

When I had my own daughter in daycare I loved that meals were all included, but when I opened my daycare I really had no desire to do it myself. I consider myself a good cook and make homemade wholesome meals for my own family, but I mostly only tolerate cooking and (especially) cleaning because it is something I have to do. Preparing food for my own family of 4 is enough. Thankfully my husband is really helpful because he takes over the cleaning on the weekends and does all the vacuuming so I don't have to do it.

[bright sparks]

Totally agree with everything you wrote. That is too bad that you don't have enough energy to be eating all the amazing food you provide the kids

I think it's a combination of being to lazy and also zero appetite after all that cooking. I never desire anything in particular that I have in my fridge. I try very hard to prep food on a Sunday for myself. Like today I've made and portioned out salmon and asparagus lasagne, meatballs & mashed potatoes and a fish pie. I've also got lots of things on hand if I am energized enough to make something from scratch. A braised chicken stew that's relatively easy to prepare and stuffed peppers my or may not make it onto my plate this week for dinner. My daycare kids have got a Kale and lentil curry for lunch tomorrow and all of there meals are made way ahead of time and frozen weeks in advance so that helps.

[sandylynn]

Anyone willing to share some new lunch recipes for toddlers....I find I repeat what the kids like but want to try new recipes...thanks