Should We Be Providing Meals?

[dan18ny]

Hi all,

My wife has now had her daycare for about 2 months and has two kids (from same parent) that she had before she opened up her daycare. Yesterday she had her first visitors come check out the place and they loved it but were turned off by the fact that my wife doesn't provide meals for the kids.

So my question for you guys is, is my wife really hurting her chances for potential business by not offering meals? Do most parents look for that? Thanks for the feedback!!!

[Crystal]

Most providers offer meals. You can sign up for the food program and they reimburse you for much of the costs associated with it. Refresh my memory on what city you are in and I'll see if I can find your local agency for you.

[Thriftylady]

Some providers do not provide meals, but I think most do. And for me it is just easier. It is hard for young children to understand why one has healthy food and another has all junk. The kid with healthy food may eat it fine when the other isn't in site, but not want to when there is junk right in site. I am not on the food program now because I am legally unlicensed. But I was on it in Kansas when I was licensed and it was a good thing.

[AuntTami]

Hi all,

My wife has now had her daycare for about 2 months and has two kids (from same parent) that she had before she opened up her daycare. Yesterday she had her first visitors come check out the place and they loved it but were turned off by the fact that my wife doesn't provide meals for the kids.

So my question for you guys is, is my wife really hurting her chances for potential business by not offering meals? Do most parents look for that? Thanks for the feedback!!!

I think it's easier on the parents too to not have to pack a lunch sack every day for their kids. It's a convenience thing. I include all meals, snacks, and milk.

Sign up for the food program, or raise your rate to accommodate as groceries are ridiculously expensive but definitely include meals in your rate.

[LindseyA]

I provide all meals & snacks as well. I am also on the food program. If I wasn't on the program, I wouldn't be making any money . These kids can Eat!

[AmyKidsCo]

Ditto everyone else.

Most providers do provide meals. It's easier for the parents - and easier for the provider to have all the children eating the same thing - and tax deductible. I highly recommend joining the food program, the extra income makes a difference!

[crazydaycarelady]

I think you definitely need to provide meals. Parents just don't want the additional hassle. If your wife gets on the food program she can probably claim the meals she feeds your own kids.

[daycare]

in my personal experience i can say that it is easier for me to provide the meals so you don't deal with kids having war over what billy has or susie has.


what is healthy to one person is not to the next.

You have one kid with cookies soda and fruit roll up while another has fish, carrot, and cheese. You can see where this is going....I want what they have, its not fair.

THEN you get into the kids that bring the junk food have horrific behavior from the over processed, high sugar, high calorie junk they ate. Like i say Crap food = crap behavior.


food program is the way to go and learn how to make yummy healthy inexpensive meals...

[dan18ny]

Most providers offer meals. You can sign up for the food program and they reimburse you for much of the costs associated with it. Refresh my memory on what city you are in and I'll see if I can find your local agency for you.

Thanks! We live in Santa Ana, Orange County. We are aware of the food program it's just that my wife thought it would be easier on her if she didn't have to worry about preparing food for the kids, but after yesterday I think she's gonna have to if she wants to stand out.

[dan18ny]

in my personal experience i can say that it is easier for me to provide the meals so you don't deal with kids having war over what billy has or susie has.


what is healthy to one person is not to the next.

You have one kid with cookies soda and fruit roll up while another has fish, carrot, and cheese. You can see where this is going....I want what they have, its not fair.

THEN you get into the kids that bring the junk food have horrific behavior from the over processed, high sugar, high calorie junk they ate. Like i say Crap food = crap behavior.


food program is the way to go and learn how to make yummy healthy inexpensive meals...

So then what happens if half of your kids are refusing to eat what you cook? Perhaps their parents have them used to eating junk food and so they don't want to eat healthy.

[daycare]

So then what happens if half of your kids are refusing to eat what you cook? Perhaps their parents have them used to eating junk food and so they don't want to eat healthy.

they learn to eat it...

you do you part serve it
they dont have to eat it, we cant force them, why would you??

serve it and let them decide what they want to eat or not...they will learn to eat and will eat when hungry..

[rosieteddy]

I ran my family childcare for just under 30 yrs.I did provide food .I was on the food program but after a while just took my meal allowance on my taxes.The paper work and visits were not worth it to me.I did feed the children by the healthy guidelines and if they did not eat oh well. Now my friend who also ran a family childcare had the children bring there lunch.She provided snacks and drinks only.We both charged the same tuition.She did not have to worry about food shopping on a Sunday night and if they wasted the meal she did not care.We were both at full enrollment most of the time.I had to close unexpectedly and all my clients went to centers were they had to pack the food. So it may be a plus for parents ,but if your programis good they will come.My friend would spin it to the parents as they had more control over their own childs menu.Good Luck

[Thriftylady]

So then what happens if half of your kids are refusing to eat what you cook? Perhaps their parents have them used to eating junk food and so they don't want to eat healthy.

I only have two rules about the food here.

1. You are not forced to eat anything.

2. You are not getting a single bite of food until the next meal/snack time.

They eventually figure it out. Oh and I don't allow ANY food from home unless it is prearranged for a birthday or the like. Allowing food from home always seems to cause an issue. And if you have a child with a severe food allergy, you can be sure to avoid it if you need to.

[Unregistered]

I provide meals mostly so everyone has the same thing. I only had one prospective family balk about their son not liking vegetables.... oh well! I'm doing the healthy thing, what THEY should be doing. ONLY exception is an allergy or intolerance and then I need a form signed by their doctor. I am not on the food program but I do use the standard meal allowance allowed on my taxes. It is a HUGE write off.

[Unregistered]

So then what happens if half of your kids are refusing to eat what you cook? Perhaps their parents have them used to eating junk food and so they don't want to eat healthy.

Then they will be hungry and have to wait until the next meal. Their choice. I do offer a small candy if children have been good all day and have eaten their breakfast and lunch.