Seeking Advice on How to Talk to Daycare Provider About Meals

T.,

Your daycare provider is your employee so please don't be intimidated by this conversation. I ran an in home day care, (on a leave now) but these conversations came up, usually initiated by me. Probably the best way to bring this conversation up is to just come out and say it. For example "Sooooooooo, my child has graduated to table food and milk. Being a first time parent I was wondering how we make the transcition from our food to the nutritional meals that you provide?" Ask her for a menu and ingredients etc. Show interest in her food and then ask for daily updates on what your child is eating. Tell your provider that you are a first time Mom and to please excuse your inexperience in this menu adjustment. Im sure that you have already had conversations with regard to bottles and naptime and discipline and diapers with your provider. Handle this the same way. This is a natural transcition and your day care provider should embrace the change. This is to be celebrated because your child is growing up.

My best,
K.

I'd go in there on Monday morning with a meal schedule and tell her what your wishes are. Use language like, "Now that baby has turned one and is drinking milk and eating meals with the family on the weekends, I think it is time that he starts this while under your supervision too."

My child goes to daycare and one of the things I like the most about them is that I get to direct a lot of his schedule for sleeping, eating, etc. They'll do anything I ask as long as it is reasonable. Of course, since they have had more experience with rearing children than I have, I work collaboratively with them.

Just tell your care provider what you want done. It's as easy as that - they work for you!

T.,

I agree with your other posters here. The only other thing I would add, is that you'll want to ask 'what' the other kids are being fed as well. If her typical meal plan isn't in line with what you want your son to have, then I would offer to bring in things for her.

I actually use some canned items for my boy. I jsut make sure to get ones that have no sodium added, I get the 'natural' applesauce with nothing added to it. cooked baby carrots... you get the idea. I would also ask her at the end of the day what he ate, in case you see any reactions like rashes, diarrhea, etc., plus so you'll know if dinner is a repeat of lunch :)

I would only offer to bring stuff while he's transitioning...and only if you don't approve of her meal plans, otherwise,... it should be built into your weekly costs.

As far as how to put it.. jsut say 'I think "Johnny" is ready to start eating real foods with the other kids... if he seems interested, you can let him eat what everybody else is eating' - She's probably waiting for your cue anyway :)

Good luck - happy mothers day!

Hi there-

I'm not sure that I understand your question but here is what I understand. It sounds to me like you have never had a conversation about how and when your child is fed and now that you want to change things up, you feel intimated to talk with the care provider. Is this right?

As another Mom posted. This care provider is YOUR employee. You need to be able to have these conversations with him/ her as things change and things will change ALL of the time with kids. As such, you might use this transition with your son's needs to get an overview of what she does now and how she might change things going forward.

As a side note. While it sounds like you are already cautious and maybe too cautious, I would urge you to pick your battles with care providers. With my first child, I fought everything I could to get awesome care for him. He had health issues on top of it and so with me being a high maintenance parent and him being a high maintenance kid, we had several childcare issues. Keep focused on what's important and you will be fine. This is definitely a conversation that you need to have. I am just giving you this advice going forward.

Hope this helps.
N.

I would just talk to her. Just ask her how she usually handles it when the child goes completely on table food and whole milk. I have been a family daycare provider and this has never been a problem. Sometimes the parents have brought whole milk if their child was the only one drinking whole milk.Also a they would leave some baby food just in cse we are having something for lunch he's not ready for.
I give the children breakfast if they arrive before 8:00, morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack. I do not allow parents to bring in meals just for their child. I had one parent that felt her child needed more dairy in his diet so she would bring in yogurt with sprinkles just for him. Of course all the other children wanted some and I did not have any for them. If they would like to bring a treat for all the children that is wonderful.
Just a note: I never look at the parents who bring there children here as my employer. I offer a service that they pay me for. I do not consider them my boss. I have a very open contract so we are able to discuss issues when they come up like potty training, no more nap, etc.. but in the end it is up to me how I handle it because I have to take into account all the children in my care and how it effects them. I always tell the parents we are both trying to raise our children to the best of our ability and there has to be a little give and take for it to work!
Good Luck and don't worry I am sure your daycare provider will be very understanding.

I agree with previous posters.

Hi T.,
As a daycare provider myself, I can say that yes, you just casually bring up the topic when you see her next. At 1 year old, she should be expecting this transition anyway since that is when most children go to whole milk and finger food meals like the other kids are eating, just cut up smaller. I'm sure she will have no issues with this. As us mother's know, it is eaiser to cook 1 meal, than 2.