Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I dropped my 15 month old DS off at daycare little later than normal this morning. I am off today but need to get a few errands done. I let them know that he needed breakfast. I saw the other kids that were already there were eating graham crackers for breakfast. I said yes he needs breakfast, please him give cereal. The manager and another teacher were there. The manager told the teacher to get the cheerios. The teacher looked a little surprised like oh he can't have the graham crackers?

Now I am thinking, if they gave him this today for breakfast, then what about the past month? And what about lunch and snacks? I see the menu but how do I know what he is eating or the quality? I think I will just send in all food. It just sucks because I do pay a lot, the price went up significantly this year (390/week !), and it's supposed to include food. Plus, I think according to the new NYS daycare regulations they need to follow certain rules about what kind of food to serve.

Am I making too much of this? I feel like overtime that I do drop off (usually it is DH) I find something else to pick about. Last week I was upset about some staff change but I think we were just spoiled last year that DS had the same 2 teachers all last year. I'm just happy now to have some consistency with respect to staff. Thankfully DS seemed happy to go there this morning, it was a little rough the first couple of weeks back after taking the summer off.

Sorry for the length!

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I am pretty laid back, but I'd absolutely say something.
My daycare publishes a menu of breakfast, lunch and daily snacks - they also give us a daily 'update' that tells us what the kids did, what they ate, how MUCH of it they ate (like, 50%, 100% etc)
They'll also tell me if lunch was tacos, but my kid refused to eat it and they gave him a cheese sandwich or something in its place.

If you wouldn't feed your child graham crackers for breakfast at home - then they shouldn't be feeding him cookies at 7 am at daycare. I'm not saying they need to feed him a full on 3 course meal .........but it shouldnt' be cookies!

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I would say something. If I was expecting my DC to get cheerios in the morning and he/she was getting graham crackers instead, I'd want to know why.
Also, like you said...now how do you know if he is getting the lunch and snacks they say he's getting?

Could it be that becuase you were late, the crackers were the snack and not the acutal breakfast?

You are paying for food so why should you also have to send him with food? I would expect him to be fed what I'm told he's being fed!

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

He was there 7:20 vs 7:00am so not really much later. I should add that I do try to feed him healthy but I wouldn't say that I am too crazy about it either. My DS is pretty chunky and loves to eat so I watch what I give him. I do give him graham crackers but as a treat.

I just looked up the new NYS daycare regulations regarding what kind of food a licensed facility is supposed to be feeding the children and, unless I read it wrong, graham crackers would not qualify as an appropriate breakfast.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Yeah, I'd definitely say something. And graham crackers to me is like a snack, not a meal.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

This. Ours uses the precious status ap so I get realtime updates. I know ahead of time what he is going to eat and I can tell them what he can or cannot have and prepare ahead of time.


That's really awesome that you can tell them in real time whether or not he can eat something.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Message edited 9/24/2015 9:22:17 AM.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Graham crackers are not breakfast. They're a snack at best, but more like a treat. I would be angry if that was being served for breakfast, and I'm pretty laid back, but young children should not be getting processed sugar and carbs alone for breakfast. It's one thing if you're home and in a rush and you just grab something so the kid has food, but for a daycare that doesn't seem acceptable.

I would definitely talk to them and see what the situation is/was. Voice your concerns and find out what was really going on. Nutrition is a valid concern so I wouldn't feel bad about asking.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I would say something. Our daycare writes down each meal and snack on his daily gram and checks off how well they ate, and at lunch, they check off what they ate (it's usually a main entree with a fruit and veg and often times they may not eat everything - my kids usually skip the veggies).

ETA - And breakfast is usually pancakes, waffles, french toast sticks or cereal - not crackers...

Message edited 9/24/2015 9:25:30 AM.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Does anyone know if daycares are required to give a breakfast menu as well? I only received one for lunch.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I would say something.

WIth my DD daycare, I have a menu that lists breakfast, lunch and one afternoon snack. (the second snack is teachers choice so i don't know what she is eating until that time comes around)

Breakfast where she is is usually oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, cereal, english muffin with some kind of fruit with it.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

If it bothers you then definitely say something. IMO, Graham crackers are not a breakfast food. 99% of the time I eat them are in smores, pie crust, or cheesecake. They are basically cookies. It is one thing if the menu says waffles and they serve pancakes. Sounds like they are just being lazy. I don't know, i'm not super crazy about food but I just don't think 'crackers' or cookies are an adequate breakfast for anyone.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I would absolutely say something. I wouldn't make a big deal about it but definitely mention it so that they know you are aware. Our daycare publishes the menu ahead of time so parents know what they should expect for their kids meals. If you are told he is having cereal, he should have cereal or at least be offered it.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I would totally say something and want to know every crumb she ate of everything...

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

What time was this? Some daycares that I worked at had snack time around 9am because lunch would be around 11 or 11:30

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Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

That is not breakfast. Daycare always serves a carb like cereal or a muffin and fruit for breakfast with milk. Not graham crackers. I'd be upset.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

If they are providing the meal then they must provide you with the menu.

I get a month at a time that has breakfast, Lunch and afternoon snack. AND if they have to change it for any reason we are notified. It really helps for those parents that need to work around food issues such as the days they have fish etc.

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Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

I'd say something. At my daycare meals are posted - granted my DS is still in the infant room so I need to provide meals.

Don't you get a daily summary of his day where they list meals, diaper changes, and naps.

I know at my daycare breakfast is at 8 since most drop offs are done between 7-8. I just nurse DS before daycare so that is his morning snack.

Daycare food- Would You Say Something?

Just to update.... I spoke to the manager when I picked DS up today at 1:30 (he had his 15 month checkup). She swore DS never had the graham crackers for breakfast. She explained that they were out because a new child started that only eats graham crackers and his mom asked that we give them to him. The new child is very picky eater and his mom just wants him to eat. That may be possible. I work with kids who are clinically picky eaters (in a school setting) and kids like that exist. However, I saw what I saw and there were no Cheerios out until I said something. I asked about a menu and she said no menu but they always try to do a grain and a fruit and vanilla yogurt too. Only menu available is for lunch. Not every kid eats at school, some parents send it breakfast, etc. She said that the kids do not like the new healthy foods and the owner may discontinue the lunch program. I asked if they were also following the new state regulations with respect to the breakfast as well and she said they follow 'some of the state regulations.' I spent my morning reading the new regulations about napping, nutritioyn, tv time, etc, that all daycares must follow.

I think I'll just send in cheerios portioned out to daycare everyday. I feel like everytime I bring up a concern to the manager she makes it seem like I saw something I didn't. Maybe that's the case, there are always 2 sides to every story. Aside from the food, they take good care of DS and he seems happy. Next year I am definitely switching him when he is 2 years old to a pre-school setting with extended hours.

Re: Daycare food- Would You Say Something?