Tableware For Daycare

**SilverSabre25** · 03-04-2011, 06:08 AM

Melamine is tricky. Technically, it's not dishwasher safe, although I have a few melamine divided plates from Target that have withstood the test for quite awhile (NOT the cruddy ones from the $1 section; those are worthless).

Melamine has...something... in it, some chemical (I forget what), that can leech into the food if it gets scratched, cracked, or exposed to high temperatures (like those in a dishwasher). Basically, I would stay away from Melamine.

I recommend these from Ikea (and the matching bowls, cups, and tableware, too!). Pretty, durable, and VERY affordable. You can order online if you don't have an Ikea nearby.

**AnythingsPossible** · 03-04-2011, 06:09 AM

I have corelle dishes from walmart. They sell them in sets or open stock. They have small 8 inch plates and small bowls. They are pretty sturdy. The only dishes I have ever had break have been a couple of bowls, that have been handed down, probably originally bought in the 70's.
The plates are a little large for snacks. I have no advice on cups. I am trying to figure out different cups to buy that won't take up as much room as well.

**daysofelijah** · 03-04-2011, 06:15 AM

I use the melamine target plates and they have held up for 7+ years now and are washed in the dishwasher daily (not the $1 kind though, they don't last).

Then for cups and bowls I use the Ikea cups and bowls that pp mentioned. I just use my regular flatware.

**countrymom** · 03-04-2011, 06:15 AM

stay away from malemine, I have some left and once they are gone I'm not replacing them. First, they bend in the dishwasher, and the paint does peel (on most, some of mine didn't) and they crack easily. Sure they have cute design but not worth it.
I have ikea plates and cups and bowls (the childrens stuff) they are awesome, bright colors, durable and cheap, so you can buy lots and replace often. I really really recommend them
I bought divider plates from menards and they are awesome too, I paid a dollar each and they are great too.

**mac60** · 03-04-2011, 06:17 AM

Thanks. Ugg, I can't order the Ikea ones online, and the nearest Ikea is 120 miles. The ones from Target...do they come in a set, or purchased separately. I am going to Target tonight.

**SilverSabre25** · 03-04-2011, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by mac60

Thanks. Ugg, I can't order the Ikea ones online, and the nearest Ikea is 120 miles. The ones from Target...do they come in a set, or purchased separately. I am going to Target tonight.

You should plan a road trip to Ikea then.

Ikea is awesome.

**Unregistered** · 03-04-2011, 06:32 AM

melamine is great in the dishwasher. its all we use. never ever had a problem!

Is it safe to use melamine ware? - Answers

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_melamine_dishwasher_safe

Melamine ware has been with us a long time. It is stable and inert, and it is safe to use as long as it isn't overheated, as in a microwave or on a stove. It should never be used in the oven. Melamine breaks down under heating. The resin decomposes and can (does) pose a health risk if ingested. If it isn't "baked" into significant color change, no problem. The "scare" with melamine is based on the use of melamine powder as a protein source in food additives. What a bad choice! It makes stuff "look" as if it has more food value to chemical tests for content, and, because product was analyzed in this way, it sneaked into the food chain - pet food in particular. (Actually, it technically didn't sneak into the food chain. It was blown by inspection processes. Big difference.) It is poorly and incompletely digested. And it is toxic in more than trace amounts. It should not be included for any reason in anything that is destined to be eaten - by critters with four legs or critters with two. Soap box time. As agribusiness and food production conglomerates search for profits and supply chains become more complex, we leave ourselves open to this kind of (serious) nonsense. And government oversight is thin. Couple that with the ancient mandates on the books regulating food product standards and we could be said to have been asking for it as regards the melamine incidents. Thanks for the kind attention. There are melamine pieces that have been "in the family" for decades, and some are treasured more than the family silver. As they should be. They are also completely safe to use when not heated to significant discoloration. Kudos to the chemists who ideated melamine. A slap on the wrist to someone who carelessly overheats it. And all shame on the food fools that decided it was a good thing to put in anything consumable.

never had cracks, bending or anything!

**WImom** · 03-04-2011, 09:58 AM

I have ones like the ikea ones but got them at Target/Walmart. THey have plates, bowls and cups.

http://www.munchkin.com/products/detail.html?pID=1084

I also got some divided plates at Walmart that are the same colors as the Munchkin ones. (I use divided for lunch and the other plates for snack, breakfast)

These Munchkin ones (I think ikea too) are BPA free as well and dishwasher safe.

Walmart was the cheapest I found them.

**Lilbutterflie** · 03-04-2011, 10:04 AM

Target has some bpa-free plastic-like plates and bowls in the baby tableware section (where the sippy cups & stuff are). They hold up great on the top rack of dishwasher (it says they are top rack dishwasher safe). They are fairly inexpensive too... a pack of four is around $6 I think.

**E Daycare** · 03-04-2011, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by SilverSabre25

I recommend these from Ikea (and the matching bowls, cups, and tableware, too!). Pretty, durable, and VERY affordable. You can order online if you don't have an Ikea nearby.

I use all this from Ikea too

. You beat me to the punch

**SilverSabre25** · 03-04-2011, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by E Daycare

I use all this from Ikea too

. You beat me to the punch

I'm not surprised...if I remember correctly you live really close to Ohio's Ikea, right? I'm so jealous; you must get to go all the time! I love Ikea, but have to drive down to Cincy to go there

**E Daycare** · 03-04-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by SilverSabre25

I'm not surprised...if I remember correctly you live really close to Ohio's Ikea, right? I'm so jealous; you must get to go all the time! I love Ikea, but have to drive down to Cincy to go there

I live right down the street from it almost

. Its about 5 exits down on I-75 and I go anytime I need something for the house and what not. I use to go to target for everything till they opened up. Some peoples weekly trips are to target, mine are to Ikea. Its almost borderline "she needs help".

DH says we need to go this weekend actually. He wants some stuff for his "man cave" as he just bought himself a flat screen for it and now wants some more furniture. Im excited 'cause I love the kids section and want to get a few more chairs and another small table.

**newtodaycare22** · 03-04-2011, 10:55 AM

Cups

I got sippy cups from the dollar store (Dollar Tree) for my kids. They are great. They had blue, pink, green and yellow. It says hand wash only but mine go through the dishwasher everyday (on the top rack) and they've been going strong since August.

I don't use the tops though, as my kids are 3 and up, so I can't speak to how well the tops hold up.

The cups are regular 8 ounces and stack inside each other easy.

**countrymom** · 03-04-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by E Daycare

I live right down the street from it almost

. Its about 5 exits down on I-75 and I go anytime I need something for the house and what not. I use to go to target for everything till they opened up. Some peoples weekly trips are to target, mine are to Ikea. Its almost borderline "she needs help".

DH says we need to go this weekend actually. He wants some stuff for his "man cave" as he just bought himself a flat screen for it and now wants some more furniture. Im excited 'cause I love the kids section and want to get a few more chairs and another small table.

where, we go to menards all the time, the one that is just past the ohio michagan border. (I live outside windsor) is it close by cause I'll make dh drive me there, otherwise we go to canton mi.

Tableware For Daycare

Tableware For Daycare

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