Daughter Won't Eat at Daycare

I was a director of a childcare for 4 years and this was something that happened more than you think. State Licensed centers are required to serve certain amount of portions of meat, fruit, veggies and have to stick to their menus if they do provide the food. This was something that new families to the center didn't understand because they wanted to bring in food that their child liked. Unless we had a doctor note, we could not provide substitutions.

This can be frustrating-I completely understand. You want to make sure they are eating. I found that after a few days, the child would begin to get comfortable in their environment and would begin eating with their friends. Now please do not take this the wrong way, but having the teachers give her special bars because she wouldn't eat could cause another problem-her knowing that she will get the bar if she doesn't eat the food at the center. I think it is a good idea if you are able to stop in for lunch at times just to see how she is doing. We always welcomed parents!

Hang in there, it is hard watching a child adjust to unfamiliar environments, but they will and it will get easier-just hang in there!

First I want to remind you to be patient with her--this is a HUGE adjustment! She just came out of routine of spending the day with her favorite person in the world into one that is completely unfamiliar--it may take months for her to completely adjust. Not eating is a way for her to regain some control over her world that has been turned upside down--it is one thing she can control. She may also be truly emotionally upset enough that she has no appetite. I expect that as she slowly adjusts, she will start eating, though i wouldn't be surprised if she starts doing something else, like holding her bowel movements, if she is still feeling out of control. Hopefully you can work things out with the daycare so that they can give her foods that she likes for the first couple of weeks until she starts feeling more sure of herself, and then slowly start transitioning her over to the food they serve instead. I'm DEFINITELY not knocking you for going back to work--I work full time myself! But since my kids were in daycare from the start, the transition was a lot less difficult. I know that 18-24 months is usually a time when kids are VERY into routine and predictability and security so I would just encourage you (and the staff) to be patient with her as she adjusts. Good luck!

Do you work full time? Can you take a day off and go to daycare for a day or half day with her, or even have lunch time with her. perhaps seeing things how they are may give you the best answers. I understand not wanting to have 10 different lunches, but she can not NOT eat..they may just have to make an exception. Do some checking out and try to make her transition easier. I am sure this is stressful for both of you.

It could be the different surroundings as well as the different food. I know when I had my son in daycare they were giving him tortillas rollups with havarti cheese???? He was only 13 months old. We were still introducing American.

If it doesn't work you might consider a small home daycare. You can find ones that are licensed and inspected by the state. They will still have curriculums and schedules, but it will be smaller and more like home - less institutional. Plus they would be more likely to work with you on her picky eating habits.

This is not the easiest solution as I am sure you picked this particular daycare for a reason, but if things do not improve perhaps investigate daycares where you pack your own meals. Our daycare does not provide meals and we bring own own each day....although I have to admit it's a extra work to get things ready each day.

Good luck!

I do home daycare for a friend and then took on another client because I think it's great having kids for my kids to play with...anyways. My point is. YES! I had the two year old kid I sit refuse food. I was blown away. Of course it took him about two days to get used to everything : ) I could tell he was ok when he smiled at me and ate in front of me. It happens but if it doesn't go away she's not comfortable in there and you should check to see why.