Do You Start To Make Dinner...

[LoraJenkins]

I do everyday. My last child doesn't get picked up until 6:15 so, if I waited it would be 8pm before dinner was done. I sit the littles at the table with pencils, crayons, paint daubers, markers and paper to keep them busy as I cook or we may practice writing our names during that time. Once or twice a week I make a crock pot meal that I start during lunch or nap. The parents ask everyday what's for dinner and if they ask I shared recipies.

[LK5kids]

I used to. My kids are now grown. It worked great!

[JenNJ]

A lot of the time. I generally prep it during nap so that alll I need to do at 5 is toss it in the over or on the stove.

[daycarediva]

3-4 nights a week I make a casserole, or put something in the crock pot and have to do nothing, the other 1-2 nights I start as soon as I have 1-2 kids left. I set them up at the dining table with a little snack and an activity and prep dinner. Dcp's are always joking that I should charge and give out dinners to dcf's. I actually looked into it, and it's too much hassle for a food license.

[jenn]

Sometimes. I will start crock pot meals at lunch or nap time. If I am making something that requires a long bake time, I will try to get it in the oven before 5:00.

[Play Care]

I don't but may start! It's a good idea having everyone coloring or doing an activity that can be easily left and I would love to have dinner earlier!!
My new school year resolution: have menus planned and dinner ready by 6!

For the most part I'm not actually "cooking" since I typically know what I'm having beforehand and do all the prep during nap time. But even when I do need to do some minor prep at say 4:30, I see it as no different then prepping breakfast or lunch. Every job has its perks, IMO, and one of mine is being able to have dinner on the table as soon as the work day is over.

[melilley]

Unless I'm making something in the crockpot, I wait until everyone leaves to cook dinner. Even if I'm using the crock, I try to have everything cut up and ready so I can just throw it in the crock quickly before the dc kids arrive in the morning. I've never felt comfortable making dinner with dc parents coming and going. I don't want them thinking I'm not giving my full attention to their kids. (Not a comment on anyone who does cook dinner. Just my own opinion and the reason why I don't generally cook dinner until after closing.)

Same here! Nothing against anyone who does, I am just not comfortable doing it.

[melilley]

I don't (unless it's a crock pot meal) just because I would feel funny cooking dinner while I have kids in my care and while parents are picking up. Plus my kids are usually gone by 5:30 and that's a perfect time for me to start cooking and for us to eat. And during the school year, by the time my dd gets home from school and does her homework and chores, it's about that time anyways. Also in the summer, we grill almost everyday and I wouldn't feel comfortable having the grill going with the kids out there.

But if it was a crock pot meal, I would probably start it in the morning or maybe at snack time when the kids are eating their snack.

[DaisyMamma]

while you have daycare kids? I have been wondering this and haven't done so yet. But, since school has started and last kiddo leaves at 5:15 I would like to. Of course the child would be in the kitchen or dining room with me and would probably "help". Just wondering how many start with kids still there.

Absolutely.
My kids are young. Until this year my last Dck left @ 6:00! So not only was dinner started, but it was finished and ready to eat at 6:00!
By 6:00 my kids were famished and super.cranky. I'm glad I close at 5:00 now, but i will still start dinner around 4:45