Parents providing food?

[ObscureEpiphany]

You're giving them too many ways to say "no". Be confident, you want to provide food and that's great. It's not up to them so don't ask. I'd say something like: hey DCM! I've realized over the past week or so that doing different meals for everyone is taking a lot of extra time and I am no longer able to accommodate that. I'll be providing meals from here on out at an additional rate of xx. Thank yo so much for understanding! I've enjoyed having dck here this past week! Good luck! I started off allowing food from home too...never again .

Thanks! I love this response. I, too, will never do the food from home again. It's only been 3 days, I wonder what mistake I'll learn from next week? ::
LOL!

[ObscureEpiphany]

Update!

Daycare mom responded to the private message, and said that they went shopping last night, and got him a variety of foods (she listed them). She apologized, and said that she had just not had a chance to get to the store earlier.

I'm happy that she didn't seem to take offense, and I hope that this will solve it. Thank you for all the comments.

[Unregistered]

I provide snacks and breakfast, parents provide lunch. Hand book states that lunch must healthy well balanced meal, easily prepared. (no handing me a bag of frozen food to cook but I will reheat leftovers)

[Cradle2crayons]

Just because you previously offered the family to supply food it's still perfectly ok to change your mind.

What if they "need to go shopping" again and send crap for meals??

IMHO this is a disaster waiting to happen.

If it were me, I'd change my policy all around.

"Due to changes in my business structure, effective immediately, I will be supplying ALL food and drinks. Rates have changed accordingly and I will have a new contract to be signed immediately"

End of story.

Most providers here supply all food for this very reason. Most of us here have also agreed to something only to realize our mistake and have had to change policies.

That's the great thing about owning yur own business, you have the right to change your mind, on day 2 or two weeks or six months.

[TheGoodLife]

Just because you previously offered the family to supply food it's still perfectly ok to change your mind.

What if they "need to go shopping" again and send crap for meals??

IMHO this is a disaster waiting to happen.

If it were me, I'd change my policy all around.

"Due to changes in my business structure, effective immediately, I will be supplying ALL food and drinks. Rates have changed accordingly and I will have a new contract to be signed immediately"

End of story.

Most providers here supply all food for this very reason. Most of us here have also agreed to something only to realize our mistake and have had to change policies.

That's the great thing about owning yur own business, you have the right to change your mind, on day 2 or two weeks or six months.

That's what I would do as well, but it sounds like you want to remain more flexible for the family (which may work for some!) In your case, if that is what you want to do, I'd put an addendum to your contract that states:
The weekly tuition is $X with all meals and snacks provided by the parent each day. Lunch must consist of... (example: a protein, fruit, vegetable, and starch component). Snack must include... If an appropriate meal is not provided, care will be refused until it is provided OR $5 can be paid at drop of.

Of course, use what would work for you, that was just an example But I would make sure to have it in writing what the current agreed upon rate is with them providing meals, each component they must bring each day, and especially the consequences of not bringing a healthy, appropriate meal and snacks. I would NOT allow them to ever drop of with the excuse they didn't/couldn't get to the store- either refuse drop off or allow them to pay (that is if you will always have food available for the child with no notice- for some that is possible, for others not... it's whatever is best for you!). A one-time exception easily turns into, "but we were able to do it before!" so I'd be firm with whatever your expectations are. Good luck, I hope they are a great family and a great fit for your program happyface

[ObscureEpiphany]

That's what I would do as well, but it sounds like you want to remain more flexible for the family (which may work for some!) In your case, if that is what you want to do, I'd put an addendum to your contract that states:
The weekly tuition is $X with all meals and snacks provided by the parent each day. Lunch must consist of... (example: a protein, fruit, vegetable, and starch component). Snack must include... If an appropriate meal is not provided, care will be refused until it is provided OR $5 can be paid at drop of.

Of course, use what would work for you, that was just an example But I would make sure to have it in writing what the current agreed upon rate is with them providing meals, each component they must bring each day, and especially the consequences of not bringing a healthy, appropriate meal and snacks. I would NOT allow them to ever drop of with the excuse they didn't/couldn't get to the store- either refuse drop off or allow them to pay (that is if you will always have food available for the child with no notice- for some that is possible, for others not... it's whatever is best for you!). A one-time exception easily turns into, "but we were able to do it before!" so I'd be firm with whatever your expectations are. Good luck, I hope they are a great family and a great fit for your program happyface

Thanks! I do like this idea. If they ever drop off again with insufficient food, I think I will make this change. I'm hoping that it won't be a problem again since they now know that I'll call them on it.