Water

[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.