Water

[Lee-Bee]

Sorry, just saw that my previous post has a thumbs down icon at the top - didn't mean to put that!!!

I noted the thumbs down but it didn't seem to go with your post so I ignored it :-)

[Lee-Bee]

Since you're only outside for an hour, just after they had access to water, I don't think you're wrong. Parents are being fussy. Keep track of their wet diapers for a few days, and see what you find. If you have a lot of wet ones, let them know what you found, and that their worries are unfounded.

We're outside most of the morning, mostly in the sun, so I bring water. Everyone has the same straw water bottle every single day, year round (they get it for snacks in winter), so for the most part, everyone knows which one is there's. They aren't allowed to play while carrying it. It's just available, and every so often I'll ask if anyone wants water, and hold it for whomever comes over.

My crew also each have a colour coded straw cup and while they recognise theirs they are too young to not slobber up all the cups when within reach : -) someday they will be old enough and trustworthy!
He does have enough wet diapers on my end but I don't know it is a worthy measure when he takes bottles at home and I know they give a full bottle when he wakes instead of breakfast. He can be peeing out all the formula but still be thirsty in evening, especially since formula is not a thirst quencher.

[mickyc]

We eat afternoon snack outside most days and I bring water out every time. I take the opportunity to teach the kids how to drink out of an open top cup instead of a sippy cup (plastic ones from dollarama). Not a big deal if we are outside and they spill the water all over. I then leave their cups on the picnic table so they can help themselves.

Even indoors the kids have full access to their cups whenever they need it. They must be left on the table though. NO walking around with cups!

Edit to add: I personally think it is teaching good manners to keep all food and drink at the table only and never allow it anywhere else , even outdoors it is left on the table.

[Teagansmom]

We eat afternoon snack outside most days and I bring water out every time. I take the opportunity to teach the kids how to drink out of an open top cup instead of a sippy cup (plastic ones from dollarama). Not a big deal if we are outside and they spill the water all over. I then leave their cups on the picnic table so they can help themselves.

Even indoors the kids have full access to their cups whenever they need it. They must be left on the table though. NO walking around with cups!

I'm the same, all the kids have their own cups at the table and have access, outside I bring water bottles and fill their cups when they become thirsty.

[SecondAve]

Each child has their own sippy cup and they are free to walk around with it and of course they are brought outside with us. I even go so far as to put ice in them. I am a big water drinker and so is one little guy.

I don't find that they turn into communal water cups, since they learn right off the bat which one belongs to them. They will even bring each other the correct cup. After buying countless different styles of cups, I've finally found which ones don't leak so we are good to go.

[bright sparks]

I just question if he is as thirsty as they think. I've offered a sippy cup while outside in the past and he'll take a small sip push it away and want to play. I can't help but feel like they get home and give him a bottle of formula and he is sucking it back since he enjoys the cuddle with mom and hasn't had formula all day.

I have take and toss cups I can bring out to offer. I will offer the water shortly before he is picked up to see if they notice a difference.

I see what you're saying and I think you are probably onto something there. Why not just say it like that to mum and dad then?

[bright sparks]

Since you're only outside for an hour, just after they had access to water, I don't think you're wrong. Parents are being fussy. Keep track of their wet diapers for a few days, and see what you find. If you have a lot of wet ones, let them know what you found, and that their worries are unfounded.

This is a great suggestion. If this child has soaked diapers regularly then you can let the parents know that the child is taking in more than adequate amounts of fluid throughout the day. They can't argue with that but if they do, I just wouldn't engage in a conversation about it any further.

[playfelt]

If child has a snack and drink after nap and access to water while outside playing then assume the child is more hungry than thirsty and maybe parents should skip the bottle and give child some food to chew on.

[Rachael]

I only provide drinks with snacks and lunch routinely and if it's a particularly hot day since we have lots of outside time here, I will offer additional drinks of water. However, all children are expected to sit down and drink/eat and I do not permit a child to walk around with a cup/drink, nor do they have unlimited access to drinks.

This is not a cafe. It's a day care. I do understand that some children drink more than others, but I will not permit walking around with a drink and it's not practical to supervise one child endlessly sitting at the table to drink whilst the others are getting on with the scheduled activities.

This is something I discuss and am very clear about in interview. I make the statement that children will be expected to sit in the designated area to eat and drink and will not be permitted to move food or drink from that space. I explain that milk is offered with morning and afternoon snack and water is provided with lunch.

I have had a couple of children over the years who look forward to a drink on the car ride home - siblings I will add - but IMO part of that is habitual expectation and kind of their routine vs them being truly thirsty much as many of us, turn the tea kettle or coffee pot on first thing in the morning as part of our own routine.

I don't think you are being unreasonable. And I do think if these parents were truly worried about their child's thirst level, then they would have made sure that drink came for more than the 3 days they managed. LOL

I also think that there's a lot of suggestive comments being made between you and the Dad - with no real statements. I am one of those direct people. I say what I mean and I mean what I say and I am very clear in my communications. This again, is something I inform parents of at interview as subtle hints and suggestions often lead to mis-communications. I encourage my parents to be the same in their dealings with me in terms of caring for their children.

His "read-between-the-lines-when-I-tell-you-my-child-is-super-thristy-in-the-evenings" comments are, I think, his subtle way of telling you they would like additional drinks provided. Likewise, your lack of direct response leave him wondering if you have understood his message.

Be clearer - make the statement that you will not permit a child to walk around drinking in your day home. That drinks are provided at a given time. And feel free to suggest that their provision of an extra drink during the car ride home was a great solution but short-lived so ask why that can't be continued. You could always suggest too that they include his cup in his bag and you are more than happy to fill it with fresh water just prior to collection for his journey home.

[daycaremum]

I agree with Rachael, I only offer drinks with snacks and meals. If it is particularly hot, I will offer a juice box/jammer as a special treat, but really this summer has not been hot. They get plenty to drink at their homes in the morning and evening and plenty to drink with snacks/lunch here. Unless he is having to many dry diapers I wouldn't worry about it. Kids are not welcome to walk around my house with zippy cups. And guess what, at centres (I have worked in them), kids can get a little disposable cup to have a drink any time they want, but rarely, rarely, rarely, did I ever see a child do it.