Can we talk about daycare menues?

I am presently looking for a new daycare for my DS. The Tudor Time I am looking at wants them on table food at 12 months (we pretty much are) and they have to eat the food that's provided. (The woman I s/w stated it it was because of allergies.)

I'm looking over the menue and I really wouldn't feed my DS quite a bit of this food if I were home with him.

They provide an AM and PM snack here are some of the options that I really don't like because I try to limit his exposure to sugar:
choc. teddy grahams, vanilla wafers, oatmeal cookies, animal crackers, pudding
They do seem to offer fruit or veggies on some days. However, during one week that I'm looking at they're offer 3 times during the week.

I also notice that only some of the lunches include a veggie listed. (Not generally thrilled with the selection there either- it's the typical lunches I remember from elementary school.)

The only healthy "food" that I see them consistantly offering is milk.

Is this the norm? Do other places out there allow you to provide the food yourself?

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

I am a NYS licensed home daycare provider (currently on an "extended" maternity leave ) and I'm not sure how our regulations differ from daycare centers. As a home daycare provider we are "encouraged" to folllow the guidelines of the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)....Here is a link that might help you- http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/ProgramBasics/Meals/Meal_Patterns.htm

We are supposed to limit our sugary snacks and cereals and are given a detailed book of what to serve and not serve...You may want to ask any potential daycares you interview if they participate in this program.

Hope that helps a bit (or didnt confuse you entirely )

Message edited 4/10/2008 8:20:34 PM.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

tutor time in brooklyn provides him with snacks and food. However, on the days I bring stuff in they give him what I brought

I also can tell them a list of things I do not want him to have

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

I am in NJ, but the daycare that DD goes to, doesn't provide any food...we have to provide lunch and an afternoon snack. I give DD breakfast at home before I drop her off.

I think it's a double-edged sword. I like that I know what DD is eating each day...but I feel like I send the same things all the time, and there isn't enough variety...but I'm not that creative

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

I'm not a daycare mom, but I'd be highly annoyed with a daycare center that told me I HAD to feed my daughter what they provided. They should not be giving such sugary foods and I also do not think they should be setting guidelines about when a child should be on tablefood. Quite honestly, I'd pass on that center if it was me.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

Is this the norm by you? My son is at a daycare centre where they have a chef and they serve all home made meals, including veggie meals. For snacks they serve fruit, tuna pitas, cheese and crackers, and veggies.

I can't understand how you can pay all that money for daycare and they can't spend some of it on good food for your kiddies!!!

I wouldn't mind SOME sugary snacks, but everyday sounds too much.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

Our school doesn't have lunch during the school year, but they do provide snacks. Thankfully her current teachers have the same philosophy we have in terms of healthy snacks.

The school also provides lunch during camp. Because Alex is vegetarian, and because I don't want her eating the crap they provide, I spoke to the Director about it and she said it wouldn't be a problem to just send Alex's lunch in on the days I didn't want her to eat what they were providing.

I would go straight to the Director to discuss the situation

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

My day care allow NO sugary treats, not even on birthdays or holidays. There menu is VERY strict. They just providse 2 snacks, usually fruit, and you have to follow their super strict guidlines for a packed lunch. It's good they are teaching the children to eat healthy, but let me tell you the guidlines are rough!..no Jelly even!

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

We just enrolled DD in daycare (she'll start in September). I had an issue with some of the foods too and was told that I could bring in alternatives for her on those days when I didnt want her to have a particular snack, etc.

I completely agree with you about wanting to limit your child's sugar intake. I'll be bringing in some fruit for DD when the snack is cookies.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

Those snacks seem like normal daycare snacks to me. Honestly, you can't expect them to give your child fresh fruit for a snack everyday or freshly prepared vegetables. Your tution would be a fortune for that. Most daycares run their snacks and lunches consistent with guidelines of the USDA lunch program. If you compare the amount of sugar in those items you listed to the amount of sugar in whole milk or a container of baby food fruit, it's just about the same.

I can understand the reasoning behind it..they have no idea what is in the foods other parents are packing for their kids that could set off a reaction in someone allergic.

I would say if you aren't happy though, keep on looking until you are!

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

At my center there is at least one vegetable and one fruit at every meal/snack.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

Hey Thia!

You already know this but...I am able to prepare Lucas' food and provide it each day. This week I spoke with Betty since Ella eats the lunch from daycare and Lucas tends to want what she has. So Betty gave me a copy of the menu so that I can make my own version of whatever is being served for lunch...best part is, the cook will help...for example if it's grilled cheese sandwich day she will grill whatever bread and cheese I send along.

Lunch is the only thing I will do this with since I don't want him having cereal and milk just yet and I don't like their dinners and snacks. But I do love that they will let me do what I want for him. I do think that when he moves to the next room I will have to let him eat more of their foods but by then I will be more comfortable with that.

Is TT the top choice for you right now? Any other place you are considering that would be more flexible with the menu for now?

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

My daycare offers a fruit and veggie every day. Sometimes fruit 2x a day. Never as juice though, always as fresh fruit. They don't serve wafers or pudding at all, but they do give them teddy grahams, goldfish, animal crackers maybe 2x a week. I am happy with my daycare's menu.

I'm with you, I wouldn't be happy about those sugary snacks and lack of daily vegs/fruits.

Re: Can we talk about daycare menues?

I honestly never bother to look at the menu because DS had no food problems and I'm pretty OK with what they give him. When I look on his day sheet, he's had multiple fruits and veggies everyday and snacks are usually a fruit and cheerios or some animal crackers. They did tell me I could bring in whatever I wanted him to have, as long as it didn't need to be heated, because they weren't allowed to use microwaves (or didn't haev them or something). This is also at a chain place, but not Tutor Time.

A sample day at daycare:
Bananas and waffle for breakfast.
Oranges and Cheerios for am snack.
Chicken pot pie with peas and carrots for lunch.
Cheerios and animal crackers for pm snack.