Breakfast

[playfelt]

When breakfast is sent from home it must be a container of dried cereal/dried fruit and a sippy cup of milk. Nothing that makes a mess or requires my help. As for the other kids I remind them that they already had breakfast. I think it is important to teach kids that just because there is food does not mean they should eat.

I have also held the breakfast and served an early snack to everyone and made the child eat the breakfast from home as their snack. Sometimes topping it up with fresh fruit or piece of cheese depending on what we are having.

At one point I was having real issues and announced that from now on no more food from home - used the allergies of one child as my excuse. Cost became $5 for any day I needed to provide breakfast to the child. Surprisingly more kids ate before coming. It was also a service only available to those arriving to care before 7:15.

[Fun&care]

This is why I have a " no food, no beverages and no toys from home" policy. I once had a dad show up at 8:30 with dcg and breakfast for her and I'm like ummm no, we have a snack at 9 anyways! sometimes it'd pure laziness. I personally do not like having to serve and clean up after yet another meal of the day. 3 meals with 5 kids per day is enough for me. But as some have suggested, a clean, dry breakfast might be ok. It's really up to you and what you feel comfortable with in the end. I would just make sure to make clear rules like, it has to be easy cleanup, parents provide it and only for arrivals before 7:20...