Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do You Serve Breakfast?
PolkaTots 12:43 PM 06-25-2014
Now that most of my crew arrive between 8-8:30, I am considering eliminating breakfast and requiring that meal to be served at home prior to coming, and adding morning snack instead. I used to do 7:30 breakfast, 11am lunch, 3pm snack...but thinking of switching to a 10am snack, 12 lunch, 3pm snack. I was thinking of beginning this when school starts, since I have my own 3 school agers I have to make sure get out the door dressed and fed in the morning while I am doing daycare. For those of you don't serve breakfast, do your parents complain?
daycare 12:46 PM 06-25-2014
I have breakfast at 830
snack which is only a fruit and milk or water at 1045
lunch at 1200
Snack at 330
snack which is only a fruit and milk or water at 1045
lunch at 1200
Snack at 330
jenboo 12:48 PM 06-25-2014
Breakfast at 815
Lunch 1200
Pm snack 330.
I just eliminated am snack. Everyone eats better at lunch now and my day is so much easier without that extra snack.
Lunch 1200
Pm snack 330.
I just eliminated am snack. Everyone eats better at lunch now and my day is so much easier without that extra snack.
Blackcat31 12:50 PM 06-25-2014
yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
daycare 12:53 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:
Breakfast at 815
Lunch 1200
Pm snack 330.
I just eliminated am snack. Everyone eats better at lunch now and my day is so much easier without that extra snack.
I tired that but because not all of my kids arrive for breakfast some of the little ones just could not make it from 845 to 1200 for lunch.Breakfast at 815
Lunch 1200
Pm snack 330.
I just eliminated am snack. Everyone eats better at lunch now and my day is so much easier without that extra snack.
But before when I did serve a full snack, no one would eat lunch
preschoolteacher 12:55 PM 06-25-2014
I just dropped AM snack, and I'm so glad I did. The kids eat their lunch SO much better now.
Breakfast at 8 AM.
Lunch at 11:30 PM
Snack at 3:30 PM
They asked for snack in the morning the first few days, but then they stopped asking and now eat much bigger breakfasts and lunches. Healthier food, too!
Breakfast at 8 AM.
Lunch at 11:30 PM
Snack at 3:30 PM
They asked for snack in the morning the first few days, but then they stopped asking and now eat much bigger breakfasts and lunches. Healthier food, too!
SignMeUp 01:08 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
Exactly what I do. yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
This way parents who can't manage to feed their kids - kids get a decent meal.
Kids who don't eat first thing in the a.m. - kids get a decent meal.
The only problem is when the FP checks up with parents - they think "snack" but it's actually breakfast. I try to reinforce this with families when we do annual re-enrollment forms. Plus it's written in my policy book.
Blackcat31 01:11 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by SignMeUp:
Exactly what I do.
This way parents who can't manage to feed their kids - kids get a decent meal.
Kids who don't eat first thing in the a.m. - kids get a decent meal.
The only problem is when the FP checks up with parents - they think "snack" but it's actually breakfast. I try to reinforce this with families when we do annual re-enrollment forms. Plus it's written in my policy book.
My FP rep is the one that told me to do it that way. Exactly what I do.
This way parents who can't manage to feed their kids - kids get a decent meal.
Kids who don't eat first thing in the a.m. - kids get a decent meal.
The only problem is when the FP checks up with parents - they think "snack" but it's actually breakfast. I try to reinforce this with families when we do annual re-enrollment forms. Plus it's written in my policy book.
If a parent asked, I would probably explain it to them but I don't serve it until 8:45-9:00 so if their kid gets dropped off earlier and are morning eaters, the parent is required to make sure their kid gets something to tide them over because NOTHING is served here before 8:45.
SignMeUp 01:22 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My FP rep is the one that told me to do it that way.
If a parent asked, I would probably explain it to them but I don't serve it until 8:45-9:00 so if their kid gets dropped off earlier and are morning eaters, the parent is required to make sure their kid gets something to tide them over because NOTHING is served here before 8:45.
That's nice My FP rep is the one that told me to do it that way.
If a parent asked, I would probably explain it to them but I don't serve it until 8:45-9:00 so if their kid gets dropped off earlier and are morning eaters, the parent is required to make sure their kid gets something to tide them over because NOTHING is served here before 8:45.
I had the idea myself and in the beginning figured I would get called out on it. Turns out lots of people do it 
I don't serve breakfast till after 9 am. Same deal - if they come early they should eat first. But they won't starve. And I'm lenient with infants and toddlers, as long as I'm not being taken advantage of.
Annalee 01:32 PM 06-25-2014
My kids eat breakfast at 7:45 to 8:15...( all kids must arrive by 8:00)....lunch at 10:15-10:45.......snack at 2:15......
midaycare 02:21 PM 06-25-2014
Looks like I'm odd man out. I serve breakfast early, at 7:30. If a child arrives after that, they are expected to be fed or can wait until am snack at 9:30. I serve lunch at 12:30 and pm snack and 4ish. Depends his long nap lasted. Some of my kids are here for 11 hours, so they need all that food.
e.j. 02:33 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
Same here and it was also my food rep who suggested I do it that way since I was including all of the food components of a breakfast anyway. When I think of the money I lost over the years claiming it as a snack instead of a breakfast...I just wish she had suggested it sooner.yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
jenboo 02:36 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by daycare:
I tired that but because not all of my kids arrive for breakfast some of the little ones just could not make it from 845 to 1200 for lunch.
But before when I did serve a full snack, no one would eat lunch
I get lucky and everyone is here for breakfast each dayI tired that but because not all of my kids arrive for breakfast some of the little ones just could not make it from 845 to 1200 for lunch.
But before when I did serve a full snack, no one would eat lunch
Heidi 03:08 PM 06-25-2014
I do 8:45/9 Breakfast (meets all components for breakfast, but I claim snack)
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
EntropyControlSpecialist 03:49 PM 06-25-2014
I serve breakfast at 9, lunch at 12, and snack at 3.
craftymissbeth 03:52 PM 06-25-2014
I serve:
Breakfast @ 8
Lunch @ 11
Snack @ 2:30ish
I tried to do the dinner instead of afternoon snack, but the FP I'm with only allows dinner between 5:30 and 7:30. Bummer because it would have been nice to get a little extra reimbursement.
Breakfast @ 8
Lunch @ 11
Snack @ 2:30ish
I tried to do the dinner instead of afternoon snack, but the FP I'm with only allows dinner between 5:30 and 7:30. Bummer because it would have been nice to get a little extra reimbursement.
TwinKristi 03:55 PM 06-25-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I do 8:45/9 Breakfast (meets all components for breakfast, but I claim snack)
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
This is actually what my FP rep told me to do as well, make PM snack a "dinner" and serve it after 4pm. I do 8:45/9 Breakfast (meets all components for breakfast, but I claim snack)
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
I did it when I had kids here late all the time, once school starts and the time change happens I probably will switch back to that, but we eat PM snack too early to consider it a dinner now and don't usually do all components. I do breakfast at 8:30-9am (also at 7:30 during the school year if I have a DCK here), lunch at 11:30-12 and snack after nap (and during the school year once the SA kids are home) around 3pm.
Stepping 04:45 PM 06-25-2014
I used to serve:
Breakfast 7.30
Am snack 9.45
Lunch 12.00
Pm snack 3.45
But lately behavior at meal times has been terrible and they haven't been eating much so I just dropped breakfast and moved am snack to 9.15 and lunch to 12.15.
I've had 1 family out of 10 complain (how are we going to find time to feed him breakfast before going to work?) but I was tired of the battles at meal times.
I only had 3 kids arrive for breakfast and most days 2 out of 3 had already eaten and their food ended up in the trash!
Breakfast 7.30
Am snack 9.45
Lunch 12.00
Pm snack 3.45
But lately behavior at meal times has been terrible and they haven't been eating much so I just dropped breakfast and moved am snack to 9.15 and lunch to 12.15.
I've had 1 family out of 10 complain (how are we going to find time to feed him breakfast before going to work?) but I was tired of the battles at meal times.
I only had 3 kids arrive for breakfast and most days 2 out of 3 had already eaten and their food ended up in the trash!
Cradle2crayons 07:39 PM 06-25-2014
I rarely have daycare kids here before 9:30 am. But i do have kids here past bedtime..I feed my son breakfast at. 8:30....
Then....
Morning snack at 9:45 am
Lunch at 12:00
Afternoon snack at 3:00 ish depending on when they wake up from nap
Dinner at 6:00 pm and bedtime snack at. 8:00
Then....
Morning snack at 9:45 am
Lunch at 12:00
Afternoon snack at 3:00 ish depending on when they wake up from nap
Dinner at 6:00 pm and bedtime snack at. 8:00
DaisyMamma 09:43 AM 06-27-2014
Originally Posted by PolkaTots:
Now that most of my crew arrive between 8-8:30, I am considering eliminating breakfast and requiring that meal to be served at home prior to coming, and adding morning snack instead. I used to do 7:30 breakfast, 11am lunch, 3pm snack...but thinking of switching to a 10am snack, 12 lunch, 3pm snack. I was thinking of beginning this when school starts, since I have my own 3 school agers I have to make sure get out the door dressed and fed in the morning while I am doing daycare. For those of you don't serve breakfast, do your parents complain?
I do serve breakfast. At 8:30. And one mom feeds her kid before she comes. Then one day she stopped feeding her. (Either way it makes no difference to me. I feed everyone regardless). But for two weeks mom would come in at 8:00 drop off and tell dcg she could have breakfast now. Now that most of my crew arrive between 8-8:30, I am considering eliminating breakfast and requiring that meal to be served at home prior to coming, and adding morning snack instead. I used to do 7:30 breakfast, 11am lunch, 3pm snack...but thinking of switching to a 10am snack, 12 lunch, 3pm snack. I was thinking of beginning this when school starts, since I have my own 3 school agers I have to make sure get out the door dressed and fed in the morning while I am doing daycare. For those of you don't serve breakfast, do your parents complain?
Whatever lady. I just ignored her. I feed them at 8:30. If dcm doesn't like it then she can go back to her prior routine.
LysesKids 09:53 AM 06-27-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I do 8:45/9 Breakfast (meets all components for breakfast, but I claim snack)
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
I claim lunch 11am, afternoon snack 2pm & dinner 5-5:30pm... my morning snack at 8:30am doesn't count; I am also tier 1 and most my babies are here 10 hours day, but none before 8-8:30 am... one is here for 14-24hrs once in a blue moon, but he's a special needs Foster baby. Sometimes you have to do what's best for special situationsI do 8:45/9 Breakfast (meets all components for breakfast, but I claim snack)
11:45/12 is lunch
after nap...dinner (snack, but meets all components for dinner and claimed as dinner).
Since I'm Tier 1, that's about $5.50 a day per kiddo. I know not all FP's allow that, though. Our's encourages it, and I notice kids go home a lot less whiney because they have that protein to hold them over until dinner.
daycarediva 09:58 AM 06-27-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
This is what I would do, too OP! yes and no.
I call it snack but according to the food program it's breakfast.
I serve
Breakfast at 8-8:30
Lunch at 11:30-12
Snack at 3-3:30
Everyone eats every 3 hours. AM snack was a pain, and then they rarely ate lunch. This works well.
rebekki78 10:00 AM 06-27-2014
I have some children coming as early as 5:30 a.m. so I don't cut out anything. We have snack around 10:15 and lunch at 12. These kids are big eaters so it never interferes with their lunch. I have one child who is a part timer that doesn't eat much, so when we have snack he just doesn't get as much as the other kids (he doesn't ever seem to mind). I have it written in my handbook that if children are not here by 8:30 then they are to have eaten breakfast. I have never had anyone complain.
AmyKidsCo 11:04 AM 06-27-2014
Yes, but it's late and I tell parents to give their child a snack before they arrive. y schedule is:
Breakfast 9:00-9:30
Lunch 12:00-12:45
Snack 3:45-4:00
Breakfast 9:00-9:30
Lunch 12:00-12:45
Snack 3:45-4:00
permanentvacation 12:26 PM 06-27-2014
I would take into consideration the type of parents you have and whether they really would take/make the time to give their children a proper breakfast before arriving at daycare.
In my area, many parents feel that some candy or a couple of animal crackers is a perfectly good breakfast! Then of course they are jumping off the wall from their sugar high and starving which leads to being hateful, fighting, and crying.
In my area, it's not worth it to ask or expect that the parent provide breakfast.
In my area, many parents feel that some candy or a couple of animal crackers is a perfectly good breakfast! Then of course they are jumping off the wall from their sugar high and starving which leads to being hateful, fighting, and crying.
In my area, it's not worth it to ask or expect that the parent provide breakfast.