Worried About Going to Daycare While Being a Picky Eater

I provide daycare in my home, i have found that a lot of parents tell me their child is a picky eater, but when they are here they are open to try just about anything for another person. if there is something that he really refuses to eat, or makes himself sick i would tell them ahead of time. I have also told some of my parents that they were welcome to send a lunch for their child with food they know he/she will eat. that might help because at least you know he has things there he likes.

My 4 year old son has always been a picky eater. He was followed by a nutritionist for the 2 years to follow his weight gain and eating habits. We have made a lot of progress over the past few years. My son is not in daycare, but I do know that when he is not with me, he tends to be more flexible with his eating. Maybe your child will too. Talk to your daycare provider and ask that they write down for you what he does eat and how much when he is with them.

Good luck.

B. R,

I know my children, now 18 and 8 year old boys. My little one was a year and a half and divorce forced me to do this. However, I chose KinderCare on Wayside Drive in Mentor. A locked and secure site. They made a report for each child on what they ate approximately how much and so on. They were wonderful. Most of the same gals are still employed there. Also, my oldest went to Kids Choice, by the Heisley Racquet Club, KinderCare and Kids Choice work together. Both locked down sites. The same teachers from my oldest one are now there for my youngest. That really helps to know it is safe and not a big "I DON'T CARE---- TURN OVER" outfit!

Ask for a tour, if nothing else to see the form and give advice to your current center, if you are happy there.

Best of luck,
C.

B. ~

I've been through exactly what you're worried about. My 2 year old is also very picky and doesn't eat hardly any meat. He was in a home daycare and we recently have moved him to a center. I'm not sure what your setting is, but let me assure you that he will be fine. In both daycares the providers told me that he eats like a little pig! The home daycare would tell me what she made for lunches & snacks and I couldn't believe he was eating those things because he wouldn't touch them at home. I had to "spy" for myself one day, and sure enough he was stuffing himself with things I couldn't get him to touch! The difference, all the other kids were eating with him and eating the same thing so it was "the thing to do." With the center he attends now, we have to bring his lunches and snacks so I know he's at least getting things he likes. And they are very attentive to all the kids. There is even one little girl who brings lunch A and lunch B. If she doesn't eat lunch A then the staff is supposed to try lunch B. I couldn't believe they would be so accommodating. The one thing I did do is keep a bottle of Pedia Sure in the fridge. I asked them to give it to him if they ran into a day where he didn't want to eat. They have only used it once and he eats most of his lunch that we send. Some days are better than others, but since he's eating with his friends he does much better there than at home.

Hope that helps put your mind at ease a little. I know exactly how you feel, and mine is in daycare 5 days a week unfortunately... The transition will likely be a little rough, but you're little one will get there! Good luck!

~ V.

I was actually very worried about this also when I put my 3 year old into daycare. Suprisingly, he eats like a PIG at school-better than he ever eats at home-and he eats stuff at school that he REFUSES to eat at home! I think once he got into an atmosphere with all the other kids eating he just kind of followed the crowd. Maybe when your son sees that all the other kids are eating he may think that food isnt that bad afterall.
Good Luck with this!

My 2 year old has always been in daycare full-time. He eats everything there! Much Much better than at home. I think in the daycare they realize that this is the only food choice, plus all the other kids are eating it - so it becomes social.

At home - they know that there is a whole pantry full of food choices that they would rather have - like Fruit Loops!

I myself am a Daycare provider, and with a picky eater anyone with a heart will work with your child or give him something he likes to eat..Or another way to do it is to pack him things he likes yourself to make sure he gets it! Best of Luck to you and you son..

I have a friend that her child is also a picky eater, but at DayCare they can get him to eat more food there than they can at home! Give a week, see how it goes.

I just put my 2 year old twins and 4 year old in daycare 1 week ago, and it appears that peer pressure is an amazing thing. My four year old would not eat the first day (he also has some food allegies and was nervous about food not made by mom), but that only lasted on day. From there on out he had eaten great. He does take a nutrigrain bar with him for breakfast, because drop off is so stressful, he has "stress free" breakfast until he settles into his day. The 2 year olds truly follow the crowd, eat all their food, and nap on cots like troopers.

Good luck, it is an adjustments, but I have a feeling eating will be the easist part.

B.,

My 2 1/1 year attends Kindercare and they serve food there. The food is kid friendly and all the kids seem to love it. The staff is required to sit down and eat with the children and record for each parent what they served and what their children ate or didn't eat. Brendan eats more there than at home. Plus, they get several snacks during the day. If you are concerned, talk to the staff and cook. But my guess is, your son will see everyone else eating and begin to dig in.

Good luck...

Try not to stress about it to much. My son is a very picky eater � with me. In daycare or now with his nanny he eats much better. He is willing to try things he sees other kids eating. You may find, as I think many parents do, that he eats better for others than for you.

Most daycares require you to pack your child's lunch. You could just pack things you know he will eat. Hope this helps.