I provide snacks and parents provide Lunch?

[Momof4]

When I started my daycare I had 5 babies all on baby food, so when they started eating table food I asked the parents to keep providing it because my rate was too low. With 5 lunchpails in my fridge there was no room for my food. So I raised my rate and started feeding the children.

I also hate throwing food in the garbage and have learned to give the children very small portions and then if they want seconds they can have it. If I haven't cooked any more of what they want I give them extra fruit after the meal or an extra bread item, whatever I have available.

Do what's best for you of course.

[Daycare123]

momof4-I hadn't thought of it taking of fridge space-I suppose that would be an issue for some. However, I am lucky enough to have a fridge in my daycare (our family fridge is in the kitchen in our home) as my daycare is separate from my home.



Thanks everyone for the info and advice. I think this is best for the kiddies at my daycare and further to get them eating and less waste

[kidlove]

oh I meant in their lunch, I have had parents bring it with the lunch, like dessert? maybe? or just part of the lunch, as if thats one of the food groups.

[Daycare123]

kidlove- oooooh! gotcha

[kidlove]

had a though last night, I think its agood one too. i have been thinking about asking parents to bring lunch for their child for all those reasons as well. Last night thought up this idea of having a little slotted "lunch money container" of some sort at the front door, every day when the parents drop off, if they dont bring their child with a lunch (choose not to or forget) they can drop 2$ in the can for their childs lunch for the day. Just like paying for lunch at school, I know it probly wont pay for the entire lunch the child consumes but if you calculate it at even three kids a day expecting lunch from you, that equals an extra 120$ a month at least for lunches alone. plus the others are bringing their own. hmmm something to ponder.

[Momof4]

I wanted to mention one really big problem I had with the children all eating different food was that they would point to each other and want to eat what the other child had for lunch. It's so much simpler for me to feed them all the same food all the time. I hope it works for you, but it didn't work for me for very long.

[kidlove]

I have always encouraged the kids to share also, if one has a large baggy of cucumbers and the others say oooh cucumbers, I ask the child to give a cuke to the others and say "its nice to share!" not to mention, depending on their age, once kids start school they do bring thier own lunch, all eating dif stuff, sometimes they will share or trade things they might not like so much ,they learn to deal with surroundings. I think it shouldnt be too much of a problem, they will elarn to adapt to whatever you choose. certainly easier on the provider to have meals brought in rather than have to listen to one complain about this or that, and have some throw the food away! I think its a neat plan, let us know how it goes if you choose to follow through.

[Daycare123]

Kidlove -thanks for the encouragement I have decided to go ahead with the plan-I will let you know how it goes!

[Mamma_Mia]

I wanted to mention one really big problem I had with the children all eating different food was that they would point to each other and want to eat what the other child had for lunch. It's so much simpler for me to feed them all the same food all the time. I hope it works for you, but it didn't work for me for very long.

I may be a "Hard-a$$" but I'd just say.....NO eat that or eat nothing.

[Crayola kiddies]

Me too ... I actually don't have a problem with the kids eating here cause they know it's not an option.