Question for NY Providers (Regs)

[melskids]

Might not be a reg. but my licensor made me put intermittent rails on my deck up before I initially got licensed.

I personally agree that we (as a whole) cannot pick and choose which regs we will or will not follow. I ache in the summer to use a kiddie pool but don't do it- NOT because I won't be supervising 100%, NOT because I won't drain and clean it daily, but because it is a reg. In my little house, I can hear myself breathing on the listening end of the monitor at naptime, but I still plug it in everyday - NOT because it is helpful, but because it is a reg.

I too have mini-heart attacks over missing outlet covers and covers on the outside trash cans...my teenagers think I am crazy!

Hey, listen, I'm not saying I'm a rule breaker either. I just think the state should have more important things to do than worry about the hot chocolate we have after sleigh riding....like the local provider with the loaded guns out on her night stand. All she got was a slap on her hand.

[Unregistered]

I thought the regs don't go in effect until May.

[Play Care]

I thought the regs don't go in effect until May.

I think they go into full effect in April or May.

[Play Care]

Hey, listen, I'm not saying I'm a rule breaker either. I just think the state should have more important things to do than worry about the hot chocolate we have after sleigh riding....like the local provider with the loaded guns out on her night stand. All she got was a slap on her hand.

It's so irritating because they HAVE regulations that they can't/ don't enforce! They say they can shut providers down but how often does it happen?!

[grandmom]

Could one of you NY providers send the link to the new regs? I'd love to read them. Thanks.

[Leanna]

Hey, listen, I'm not saying I'm a rule breaker either. I just think the state should have more important things to do than worry about the hot chocolate we have after sleigh riding....like the local provider with the loaded guns out on her night stand. All she got was a slap on her hand.

Oh Melskids, I didn't think you were! I am just frustrated with some of the regs! I agree the state needs to get a life and stop dreaming up unrealistic rules that are impossible to monitor or enforce.

[melskids]

Could one of you NY providers send the link to the new regs? I'd love to read them. Thanks.

http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/regs/417_FDC_regs.asp

Oh Melskids, I didn't think you were! I am just frustrated with some of the regs! I agree the state needs to get a life and stop dreaming up unrealistic rules that are impossible to monitor or enforce.

I think that is all of our frustrations!

[KidGrind]

The problem with this is that my licensor chats with the kids when she pops in. She asks them all about their day, their favorite food at lunch, what they like the best to do at my house, etc. of course the kids will say "we watched MOVIES and ate CANDY and I love when we watch TV!!! ::
(We obviously don't do those things often but that's what they say )
Do I think giving them a hot cocoa is a big deal in the grand scheme of things? No . But I don't want to get into the habit of picking and choosing what regs to follow. That's when you get sloppy, IMO

This happened to me during an USDA inspection. I was completely innocent. The DCM and I had a conversation the previous evening during pick-up. She told me how much DCB loved Nutella. During snack time the next day DCB exclaims as I am spreading peanut butter on a rice cake, “Please put the chocolate stuff on it.”

The inspector gave me the look over her glassed, “You know that’s not creditable.”

I replied, “I know.” I just decided to protest or explain it would make me appear to be covering up my alleged Nutella crime.

[e.j.]

Is there any possibility that the ban is on those hot cocoa packets that you add water to make the instant drink and not on a glass of milk that you warm on the stove and add cocoa powder to - or is it the actual chocolate powder that's banned? I don't serve chocolate milk so I've never given it much thought but it would seem that by giving kids a glass of milk with a little bit of chocolate Quik would still meet the milk requirment?????

I remember several years ago there was a question in our area about serving chocolate pudding for snack or dessert. (Doesn't meet food program eligibility for reimbursement.) One of the food program reps at the time suggested that there was nothing stating you couldn't put a little chocolate pudding powder in a bowl and if, say, one of the kids just happened to pour some of their fluid milk into the powder well then.....what can you do? I don't serve pudding here but I laughed thinking there's a way to get around just about any rule or regulation, isn't there?

[e.j.]

Just had to add....I was organizing my day care paperwork and found my copy of the February/March "What's Cookin'" newsletter I receive from the food program. Guess what they have a recipe for on page 4? Under the recipe for Hot Cocoa, they state, "Makes 8 servings of 1/2 cup of milk for each 3-5 year old at snack".

I know there may be a difference between what the food program allows and what state regulations allow but, based on the fact that the food program allows for hot cocoa, I'd question my licensor about the state reg.

[Play Care]

Is there any possibility that the ban is on those hot cocoa packets that you add water to make the instant drink and not on a glass of milk that you warm on the stove and add cocoa powder to - or is it the actual chocolate powder that's banned? I don't serve chocolate milk so I've never given it much thought but it would seem that by giving kids a glass of milk with a little bit of chocolate Quik would still meet the milk requirment?????

I remember several years ago there was a question in our area about serving chocolate pudding for snack or dessert. (Doesn't meet food program eligibility for reimbursement.) One of the food program reps at the time suggested that there was nothing stating you couldn't put a little chocolate pudding powder in a bowl and if, say, one of the kids just happened to pour some of their fluid milk into the powder well then.....what can you do? I don't serve pudding here but I laughed thinking there's a way to get around just about any rule or regulation, isn't there?

IIRC, the wording of the reg is that providers can ONLY serve unflavored milk, water or 100% juice. I don't know that there is a way around that.

[e.j.]

Yeah, if that's the wording, it really does sound as though there's only one way to interpret the reg. Oh well. I guess the kids will have to wait until they go home to get some hot cocoa.

[Mister Sir Husband]

The last time I spoke with my licensor he did mention the new regs coming out, but I know he didn't mention anything about hot chocolate. Not saying it isn't in there, but he didn't tell me. I did however a couple days ago get an invitation to a meeting at my local Family Enrichment Network office... to go over the new regulations before they take effect. The invite also says that the office of Children and Family Services will have representatives there to answer any questions.

Should be a good time. I think I will stop by for a bit..

[Cradle2crayons]

Yeah, if that's the wording, it really does sound as though there's only one way to interpret the reg. Oh well. I guess the kids will have to wait until they go home to get some hot cocoa.

I guess I'm one of the only ones who has kids who get PLENTY of junk at home, including chioclate milk after they leave here at midnight... And Mountain Dew... And a junky snack...

I agree this reg is stupid but I'm sure very few of our daycare kids families would refuse to give them chocolate anything.

[Play Care]

I guess I'm one of the only ones who has kids who get PLENTY of junk at home, including chioclate milk after they leave here at midnight... And Mountain Dew... And a junky snack...

I agree this reg is stupid but I'm sure very few of our daycare kids families would refuse to give them chocolate anything.

Oh, for sure! And mostly my rule has always been "if your parents want you to have ____________, they will give it to you." But I've always done hot cocoa a few times during the winter, or apple cider for parties, etc.
I feel as though there are so few things we can do, and this reg is one that robs children of the simple pleasures of being a kid.