Losing Kids For Disliking School Food

[Blackcat31]

I had talked to a different provider in my area who is on a different program and she says that she is able to email her rep with any questions and she has access to that app but I don't have access to that app nor did I even know it existed until the other provider brought it up. I have been trying to do my recordings all at the end of the day after our last snack. It's just a pain because I have to break out my computer and load it up to sit and click in the stuff. It doesn't take forever just an inconvenience and then I actually have to remember to do it ! I am limited to only half hour meals that's it end of story! I got scolded as well because my breakfast was fluctuating a lot because I have parents who are scheduled right at 7 but don't arrive on time ever but then expect me to feed their kids so I had to implement a breakfast cut off time to allow for 1 proper half hour meal which ticked a lot of them off but it is what it is! I have to pretty much be on time all the time for meals. Which for me typically isn't an issue I am a very structured and timely person but when you are working with tiny people they aren't as structured it can be difficult! If I decide we need to lay down early for a nap because everybody is in a "mood" I'd love to be able to see lunch a little early and not worry! I have thought about changing but I can't until October unfortunately and even when that time comes I wouldn't even know where to start I assume I just call a different FP and say I'm looking to change and go from there. I figured I would give one more "training" session a try and see how my first unannounced visit goes before throwing in the towel.

I can help you find other options...

who are you with now?

You can PM me if you'd rather not post openly.

[Play Care]

I don't think denying a child seconds is with holding food according to the food program.

The FP does not dictate that we MUST serve second helpings of anything so as long as all the components of the meal are on the plate/available to the child I see nothing wrong or against the regulations by saying no to more of anything.

I don't serve seconds for anything until ALL of the firsts are gone. If they choose not to eat anything from the first round or just one or two things, that is fine but there is no seconds of anything until everything from firsts is gone.

I recall being told in a training that we can not require a child to eat everything before giving them more. The specific example was making them eat the veggie before giving them a second of fruit. I will have to look up to see if the wording is in the handbook or they just felt it was "best practice"
I don't disagree with it, I just wouldn't do it the day my FP came in to observe, KWIM?

[Blackcat31]

I recall being told in a training that we can not require a child to eat everything before giving them more. I will have to look up to see if the wording is in the handbook or they just felt it was "best practice"
I don't disagree with it, I just wouldn't do it the day my FP came in to observe, KWIM?

I completely agree!!
...and I'd fight them tooth and nail if cited for it because the food program doesn't require second servings so technically they can't dictate whether I serve them or not. Not unless they are willing to reimburse us for the additional servings kwim?


This is copied/pasted from the monitor handbook. Minimal requirement is the only phrase/word used:

The two meal service styles that can be used in CACFP are pre-portioned and family style. Preportioned means that the minimal requirement of food for each required component is prepared by an adult and given to each child on a plate or tray.

Family style meal service means that the food is placed on each table for each child to help him/herself. Children may then select the foods they want and the amount of each food they want.

During your review, you must ensure that minimum portions of each required component for all children are available for the children at the table. During the meal, it is the responsibility of the provider to encourage each child to accept the full required portion for each food component of the meal pattern. For example, if a child does not want a food component, or does not want the full required portion of a meal component, the provider should offer the food component to the child again. If minimum portions are not available to each child, the meals would be disallowed

Family Day Care Monitor Handbook Page *23/ 7 CFR §226.20(p) and FNS Instruction 783-9, Rev. 2

[daycare]

I completely agree!!
...and I'd fight them tooth and nail if cited for it because the food program doesn't require second servings so technically they can't dictate whether I serve them or not. Not unless they are willing to reimburse us for the additional servings kwim?


This is copied/pasted from the monitor handbook. Minimal requirement is the only phrase/word used:

The two meal service styles that can be used in CACFP are pre-portioned and family style. Preportioned means that the minimal requirement of food for each required component is prepared by an adult and given to each child on a plate or tray.

Family style meal service means that the food is placed on each table for each child to help him/herself. Children may then select the foods they want and the amount of each food they want.

During your review, you must ensure that minimum portions of each required component for all children are available for the children at the table. During the meal, it is the responsibility of the provider to encourage each child to accept the full required portion for each food component of the meal pattern. For example, if a child does not want a food component, or does not want the full required portion of a meal component, the provider should offer the food component to the child again. If minimum portions are not available to each child, the meals would be disallowed

Family Day Care Monitor Handbook Page *23/ 7 CFR §226.20(p) and FNS Instruction 783-9, Rev. 2

I was told the same BC. we are not required to give seconds.
I was told that we should never allow a child to over eat and want to eat until they feel full. They should eat based on the serving size recommended for their age group. Of course, if you know a child didn't well at the meal before, it would be ok to give a little more, but overall, I was told that I do NOT have to serve seconds.

[daycarediva]

I recall being told in a training that we can not require a child to eat everything before giving them more. The specific example was making them eat the veggie before giving them a second of fruit. I will have to look up to see if the wording is in the handbook or they just felt it was "best practice"
I don't disagree with it, I just wouldn't do it the day my FP came in to observe, KWIM?

I was told the same thing in training and I just don't do it when they're here. My kids are overall good eaters though. I also don't always have seconds available, and I debated with them- she said as long as I had seconds available to make/cook (like that will ever happen. )

BUT- during my last training we talked about serving sizes and honestly, I think most of the providers were surprised to hear that they were overfeeding the kids. Eg. ONE slice of bread is a serving size for littles, so if you served them a whole sandwich, that's 2 servings.

The only thing I fudge sometimes is when I claim two things eg. yogurt and berries. I just scoop. I'm not measuring.

As I said, the FP check is ok and all, but I get the same deductions at the end of the year (without having to mess with standard deduction per meal, less FP income) so I may just drop it, really simplify my menu, and save money over the course of a year.

[CityGarden]

This ****s!! I tip my hat off to providers who provide all meals and do so in a healthy way.

In my area parents are so picky.... I am requiring parents to bring their child's lunch. I am providing quality homemade morning and afternoon snacks but figure I would split the work of feeding children with their own parents - that way if they do not like the snacks at least they get one meal a day of what they are used to and if they eat terrible with parents my AM & PM snack help model healthy balances options. So far potential parents have not been put off by my not offering meals.

I know you stated providing meals is a major draw for parents to your program but just from reading on this forum you offer so much more than many daycares unless the food program $$$ is really good I would reconsider offering lunch and both snacks. That said I assume you have already weighed all those...

(((HUGS)))

[mommiebookworm]

Have you considered switching to parent provided meals? within your guidelines of course. You would do am snack and pm snack.

Also, you wouldn't have as much prepping and dishwashing! ::

[daycare]

Have you considered switching to parent provided meals? within your guidelines of course. You would do am snack and pm snack.

Also, you wouldn't have as much prepping and dishwashing! ::

No. I can't imagine what those parents would bring their children. I foresee candy and soda in every bag. Lol. Which would mean all of my kids going crazy at once instead of 4 a year.

Do any of you require a sack lunch/ meals ?

[CityGarden]

No. I can't imagine what those parents would bring their children. I foresee candy and soda in every bag. Lol. Which would mean all of my kids going crazy at once instead of 4 a year.

Do any of you require a sack lunch/ meals ?

I require parents to provide lunches and I send detailed guidelines (types of foods, lunchboxes I suggest, water bottle I require, etc.). I do allow them to refrigerate lunches but I ask them to not need to be heated as we sometimes will eat at the park.

I figure not providing lunches saves me time (budgeting, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, cleaning) and allows me to spend my time focusing on the children not in the kitchen. I do provide a homemade morning and quick afternoon snack.