Best Advice?

[LaLa1923]

I come out way ahead. (I get tier 1)

I pre-plan all my menus, use coupons, take advantage of what's in season and buy in bulk.


I served 10 kids breakfast this morning.

According to the reimbursement tables, that nets me $12.70 (10 x $1.27)

We had bananas, oatmeal and milk.

I think I paid $2.50 for the bananas, $2.98 for the oatmeal and $3.00 for the milk....grand total of $8.48.

So I actually made $4.22 AND I have more than half the container of oatmeal and milk left.

For snack today we had cheese sticks and cantaloupe.

Total cost was less than $6. I made $7.10 so again came out ahead by $1.10

After a month's time it averages out to being reimbursed more than I spend.

Me too!! I feed a family of 7 and daycare and I still come out ahead. How? Well 1. my babies bring their own food, but I serve, so I get paid. I make 100% profit on my babies!!

2. I also buy in bulk, clip coupons, and shop smart.

3. I also always have extras from last nights dinner, heat and serve!!

[LaLa1923]

I'm tier one and always come out on top. I use a five week cycle menu and shop in bulk whenever I can.

would you mind sharing yours? I like new ideas! I would also share mine!

[LaLa1923]

I come out way ahead. (I get tier 1)

I pre-plan all my menus, use coupons, take advantage of what's in season and buy in bulk.


I served 10 kids breakfast this morning.

According to the reimbursement tables, that nets me $12.70 (10 x $1.27)

We had bananas, oatmeal and milk.

I think I paid $2.50 for the bananas, $2.98 for the oatmeal and $3.00 for the milk....grand total of $8.48.

So I actually made $4.22 AND I have more than half the container of oatmeal and milk left.

For snack today we had cheese sticks and cantaloupe.

Total cost was less than $6. I made $7.10 so again came out ahead by $1.10

After a month's time it averages out to being reimbursed more than I spend.

Breakfast today was French Toast.

Bread- $1.50
Eggs- $1.50
Bananas- $2.00
Milk- $2.50

Total- $7.50

I fed 6 big kids and 2 babies, I made $10.16

I also have enough bananas for later in the week, enough bread for another meal or side at breakfast, and plenty of milk for days. So I actually make even more than $10.16.

happyfacehappyface

[MissAnn]

I didn't read all the comments, but with a doctors note you can serve lactose free milk. I have one who is lactose and gluten free. I serve all kids gluten free but only she gets lactose free milk.

[daycarediva]

I am lower tier and serve organic, so I do NOT come out ahead at all. I DO make menus where I can stretch things though and have recently added 'fresh fruit' or 'fresh veggie' to the parents printed menu so that I can buy what's on sale/in season/best price that week and then just upload it to FB and write it on the take home sheets and bulletin board.


eg. Sunday I made a whole chicken in the crockpot. I drained it (saved the stock) and took the meat off, etc. Monday I tossed it into a pot with peas, carrots and small pasta, and served homemade soup. All the components but milk. Monday for dinner, I made biscuits and spooned the leftover soup onto hot biscuits for dinner for my family.

6 daycare kids + me and dh ate it for lunch.

my 4 kids + me and dh + dd's friend ate it for dinner.

whole organic chicken was 1.99/lb (prob $3-4)
organic carrots/1lb was $1.99
organic frozen peas was 1.50/1lb bag
1lb organic pasta was 1.79

biscuits were homemade, so super cheap. and I froze some soup leftover for a quick lunch for 2-3ppl

Organic milk is 5.99/gal and I use a gal/day easy.

I will do the same thing with a roast, with pork, turkey, etc.

[butterfly]

Another great thing to save money, is measure out their milk. I used to just fill up cups and sippies. I finally got smart. Kids in our care need a max of 1 cup of milk/meal and less for younger children. Even less for snacks (or not at all depending on what you serve.) If they finish their milk, I refill their cups with water. I don't think kids get enough water these days, so this helps get them extra water and cuts down on my milk bill.

[LaLa1923]

Another great thing to save money, is measure out their milk. I used to just fill up cups and sippies. I finally got smart. Kids in our care need a max of 1 cup of milk/meal and less for younger children. Even less for snacks (or not at all depending on what you serve.) If they finish their milk, I refill their cups with water. I don't think kids get enough water these days, so this helps get them extra water and cuts down on my milk bill.

I agreee!

I do not measure their milk but I do give them only a small amount, they can have a little more if they want. After their milk is gone they also get water.
I also put any cups of milk back in the fridge so they can drink it later.