Food and liability if kids get sick

[Jenny]

What are everyone 'rules' about other families bringing food from home to share with the other DC kids. For example bringing in a cake to share on their son/daughters birthday.
In schools food can only be brought and shared if it is store bought, no home-made.

As well, what about food you make and serve to your DC kids. What if a child got sick.

Technically they could sue you unless you had it covered in your contract.

Does anyone have it covered in their contract, if so, what did you say?

[Jenny]

i will look into that thanks so so much

[5 Little Monkeys]

Sue for what?

What do you mean by "get sick"....allergy reaction? food poisoning?

I allow parents to bring in treats. Some have brought store or restaurant bought and others have sent homemade. I have no allergies in my daycare other than milk sensitivities(soon to be one that has a dairy allergy). The one with a sensitivity is allowed a small amount (like in a cupcake for example) and the one with a dairy allergy will be bringing his own food at the parents request and they said they will send treats he can have if the other kids get treats so I would not allow him to eat something that was brought in.

As for my own cooking, I am very careful and anal about cross contamination when cooking so I would hope food poisoning wouldn't happen.

[Jenny]

Yes, due to contamination not allergies. When speaking to a lawyer friend she asked about it, and said I should make sure that I have a clause in my contract or that my insurance covers it. She said things happen and we can never predict how people will react, that prevention is always better.
I am going to look into my insurance.

[AmandaKDT]

You could always go another route and have parents provide the food. I know I'm in the minority on this forum for it, but I don't provide any food at all.

But it is an interesting thought, with all the stuff I had to do to get my license nothing specifically about food poisoning came up - other than making sure counters and table tops are sanitized to prevent food borne illness in that regard. I but I would think it is part of the liability insurance coverage.

[SLD]

Honestly I've never given it a second thought. Food is rarely brought in here but I've never turned it away. I serve store bought and home made. Parents are putting their kids in someone else's care -- they could get sick anywhere including at home from something mom made.

[daycaremom9]

I don't provide food except for a special treat. I have a boy that may have a possible nut allergy, we're not really sure as his mom is deathly allergic so he's never had nuts before. One of the daycare kids have brought a treat (for herself) that has had nuts. So I've held it back. But she brought a yoghurt covered almond that I didn't originally recognize as a nut. It's like this parent isn't taking it seriously. Her daughter's birthday was this month, luckily she brought in store bought cupcakes. Now I don't feel like I can trust her.