Providers On The Food Program...

[craftymissbeth]

Here we MUST enroll everyone or not participate at all. ONLY infants under one year old are given the option of "opting out." There is NO option for children over the age of one to not enroll. This is why I provide meals to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions.

This is how mine is too except that infants aren't given the option to opt out either. I specifically asked what do I if a family doesn't want to participate and I was told not to accept them as a client.. and to explain to parents that this is part of my program and if you don't want to participate then go elsewhere.

I'm dreading the day I get a family who needs a special diet.

[daycare_jen]

Here we MUST enroll everyone or not participate at all. ONLY infants under one year old are given the option of "opting out." There is NO option for children over the age of one to not enroll. This is why I provide meals to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions.

I believe that in my area, parents may opt out. However, the center I was at would not give that option. I felt it was wrong of them to require me to bring in meals for my daughter that they were counting as if they had served them. They also falsified the meal records after teachers marked the meals for each child, they would fill them out for children that were not there. Many of the teachers there thought this was ok. I only worked there a few months after my daughter started there and then I began my own in home daycare. I am not on the food program, because I want to be able to be accommodating to my families I provide for. A DCM recently said to me, "oh, we are avoiding oranges and orange juice because of his diaper rash." I replied, we haven't had any recently (he still was having issues) and I was able to suggest that I thought dairy was giving him problems. So, we did almond milk and dairy free for his last week here before summer.... and his bottom was looking so much better. So, no actual diagnosis or doctor's order, but yes, we had made some progress.

I totally get that the center was not right for me or my daughter, I was doing what I could in that situation, as it was my income at the time. Her doctor agreed with me, given my husband's health history. I just think that there should be some flexibility in what we provide children. I know there is no easy answer to this, as the number of food allergies and intolerances has increased dramatically over the more recent years. Ultimately, it is up to each provider what they are willing to do or not do... so if OP does not want a child to bring their own meals or make changes to the daycare meal plan, let that family know so they can move on.

[midaycare]

If the child is going to be tested for autism, gluten free without a diagnosis makes sense. The mom is just being proactive, as that's one of the things they did for kids with autism. I dunno ... I work with a lot of therapists that come to my home to work with kids. I understand every child is different and needs different things. I don't mind a parent thinking their child is special - I'd rather have that than the other way. Sounds more to me that the mom is really freaked out it could be autism.

[daycare_jen]

If the child is going to be tested for autism, gluten free without a diagnosis makes sense. The mom is just being proactive, as that's one of the things they did for kids with autism. I dunno ... I work with a lot of therapists that come to my home to work with kids. I understand every child is different and needs different things. I don't mind a parent thinking their child is special - I'd rather have that than the other way. Sounds more to me that the mom is really freaked out it could be autism.

agree!

[Luvnmykidz]

I believe that in my area, parents may opt out. However, the center I was at would not give that option. I felt it was wrong of them to require me to bring in meals for my daughter that they were counting as if they had served them. They also falsified the meal records after teachers marked the meals for each child, they would fill them out for children that were not there. Many of the teachers there thought this was ok. I only worked there a few months after my daughter started there and then I began my own in home daycare. I am not on the food program, because I want to be able to be accommodating to my families I provide for. A DCM recently said to me, "oh, we are avoiding oranges and orange juice because of his diaper rash." I replied, we haven't had any recently (he still was having issues) and I was able to suggest that I thought dairy was giving him problems. So, we did almond milk and dairy free for his last week here before summer.... and his bottom was looking so much better. So, no actual diagnosis or doctor's order, but yes, we had made some progress.

I totally get that the center was not right for me or my daughter, I was doing what I could in that situation, as it was my income at the time. Her doctor agreed with me, given my husband's health history. I just think that there should be some flexibility in what we provide children. I know there is no easy answer to this, as the number of food allergies and intolerances has increased dramatically over the more recent years. Ultimately, it is up to each provider what they are willing to do or not do... so if OP does not want a child to bring their own meals or make changes to the daycare meal plan, let that family know so they can move on.

I completely get what you are saying. I'm not really concerned about the food program as I just signed up this month and am still trying to figure out how it works. I just feel like shes not being honest about things and that's why there is no documentation. If she would've said he was on an organic gluten free diet by choice then I wouldn't have enrolled because that's not how my program works. This mom also said her son has asthma and an attachment anxiety disorder but there is no paperwork about it. His medical states there are no medical or food issues. Its kind of funny because at playtime dcb was playing with the McDonalds cash register and scanning items saying it was his organic happy meal from McDonalds that mommy always buys him for being a good listener.

[CraftyMom]

Its kind of funny because at playtime dcb was playing with the McDonalds cash register and scanning items saying it was his organic happy meal from McDonalds that mommy always buys him for being a good listener.

::

[CraftyMom]

Weird how the FP can vary so much. I know there are different FP's, but I thought they all had the same "rules"

Here I use Yours For Children. I must offer it to everyone. Anyone can opt out, but I have to have the forms filled out to show that I offered.

[daycare_jen]

I completely get what you are saying. I'm not really concerned about the food program as I just signed up this month and am still trying to figure out how it works. I just feel like shes not being honest about things and that's why there is no documentation. If she would've said he was on an organic gluten free diet by choice then I wouldn't have enrolled because that's not how my program works. This mom also said her son has asthma and an attachment anxiety disorder but there is no paperwork about it. His medical states there are no medical or food issues. Its kind of funny because at playtime dcb was playing with the McDonalds cash register and scanning items saying it was his organic happy meal from McDonalds that mommy always buys him for being a good listener.

oh, I totally understand... she should have been up front with it. I think there are times that parents may feel the need to say it is an allergy or intolerance when it is a lifestyle choice... mostly due to people thinking it is just a fad diet or whatever. And that is definitely wrong, they should always be upfront with it... because what if the child did accidently eat something and then you are panicking about it. I would just tell her at this point that in your daycare, you do not allow food from home. period. if she wants him to have a special diet, then you need documentation and cannot provide care until he has it. or just term him. While I'm willing to work with families on meals, there are many things that I do not negotiate, so I get it and that is really crazy about the mcdonalds.... I would mention to mom that you were surprised he eats at mcdonalds due to his allergies, ::

[Cradle2crayons]

I feed quite a bit of fresh local veggies and fruits, although not all organic. My family owns a farm.

Although I do respect parents that choose certain eating preferences at THEIR homes for THEIR children.... I go over sample menus etc at the interview and parents that expect ME to feed high dollar organic food while THEY feed mcdonalds just won't fit into my program.

I can't get the food program here because they won't allow parents to opt out here. Also the state allows me to care for FIVE kids NOT counting my own two. Which makes a total of SEVEN total here at any one time. However, the FP sponsor that takes my area has a rule that says only FIVE TOTAL can be in care COUNTING my own so I don't qualify anyway.

So, long story short. I don't allow parents to bring food AT ALL. All the kids eat the same things even if I have to adapt a little based on tolerances and ages etc. If a child HAD to have a special diet due to a REAL MEDICAL concern that's diagnosed and DOCUMENTED, I may not be able to accomodate them at all. But if I could accomodate them, and I could opt them out, I would. Then I would hand out menu's and what wouldn't work the parents would have to send meals.

If I allowed every parent to send meals and dictate every special thing their child could eat based only on a fad or a rumor or because they thought their child was Queen Victoria, then my program wouldn't work too well.

[DaisyMamma]

I completely get what you are saying. I'm not really concerned about the food program as I just signed up this month and am still trying to figure out how it works. I just feel like shes not being honest about things and that's why there is no documentation. If she would've said he was on an organic gluten free diet by choice then I wouldn't have enrolled because that's not how my program works. This mom also said her son has asthma and an attachment anxiety disorder but there is no paperwork about it. His medical states there are no medical or food issues. Its kind of funny because at playtime dcb was playing with the McDonalds cash register and scanning items saying it was his organic happy meal from McDonalds that mommy always buys him for being a good listener.

Are you kidding me?
So he has food allergies, anxiety, asthma and maybe autism?
However, his medical states none of this?
No documents provided, and he was fine after eating your meal, AND talks about going to McDonald's!

Run!!!!!! And don't look back! O.M.G.

[CraftyMom]

Are you kidding me?
So he has food allergies, anxiety, asthma and maybe autism?
However, his medical states none of this?
No documents provided, and he was fine after eating your meal, AND talks about going to McDonald's!

Run!!!!!! And don't look back! O.M.G.

I thought the mom was not being truthful originally, but seeing the way Daisy Mamma listed it out makes me agree even more! And it also makes me laugh ::