https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:39:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209746 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:39:04 +0000 immabeetoo 1209746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would be a huge issue for me. I think everyone, kids included, suffer from blood sugar spikes and crankiness if they eat processed, carb heavy junk. I don't want a cranky kid :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209718 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:16:29 +0000 californiadreams 1209718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it would be a factor, for example, the daycare we chose was one of the more expensive ones. i justified it because the location was beyond perfect AND they had a good menu. i was seriously considering another daycare where the food was not as good, but was significantly cheaper.....but the location was also more inconvenient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209602 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:52:14 +0000 MamaJ 1209602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I agree. If it was only here and there or once a week I wouldn't have no issues. But every single day?? Ugh. At least they do give me the option to bring my own food! So far out of the two daycares this one was best even with the crappy menu. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209553 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:26:40 +0000 ShootingStar 1209553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was really turned off by the attitude one daycare had towards food. They had a lot of processed, carb-y snacks, and very little veggies as well. 4 out of 5 days on their menu they had things like graham crackers and pretzels as the snack. When I questioned it they were like "oh we don't give the little kids pretzel sticks. We give them something much healthier. Like Goldfish." Cue huge eye roll from me. They also insisted that my son would HAVE to eat cheerios. Because otherwise he'd never develop his pincer grip. </p> <p>I just didn't like the attitude/ignorance about food. And would it have killed them to offer carrot or celery sticks instead of graham crackers? DS doens't need to eat perfect every day, but to eat crap every day isn't good either. They also wouldn't let me bring my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209383 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 17:47:44 +0000 MsMamaBear 1209383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't like that menu. I wish my daughter's daycare had more fruit for a snack, but she does get a fruit and veggie at lunch everyday. Goldfish and cookies aren't too bad. Especially what the old daycare served. UGH. The horror.lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209124 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:32:45 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1209124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's a really bad menu. I agree I don't love our menu but others aren't much better so I can't complain too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209121 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:31:54 +0000 MamaJ 1209121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: he is 11 months but we won't start until January or later. Leftovers is a good idea! </p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: it is a nut free zone. She said I could bring in my own milk for him. And I guess if they have lunch with dairy I would pack his lunch. We are looking at a few other daycares too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209108 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:29:04 +0000 sarac 1209108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I had another equally good choice (besides the food issue), I wouldn't put up with it. If this was the best choice, I'd put up with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209082 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:17:08 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1209082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My only real issue is safety. A classroom where any kind of nuts or foods processed with nuts would be a deal breaker for me. Otherwise, they are going to be exposed to less than perfect meals at some point anyway. Would they be able to adequately address her milk protein intolerance? Having said that, maybe there is a daycare that meets all the needs better? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209068 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:10:13 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1209068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would be a deal breaker for me. They are only this small once and I don't want their system already full of junk...FWIW my two year old doesn't mind that sometimes he gets something different from the rest of his class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209049 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:02:36 +0000 bhbee 1209049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't love our daycare's snacks, but if I'm honest I wouldn't do that much better at home. What I really don't like is that the menu says one thing and sometimes when I pick her up early they are having something completely different (and less healthy).<br /> They only offer the 2 snacks so I pack lunch and can give what I want there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209020 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:55:42 +0000 mediagirl 1209020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: how old is your lo? Now that I've got a good system going, I find making M's lunches are super easy. I just send dinner leftovers for lunch most of the time! Today was pulled pork, mac n cheese, apple slices and steamed broccoli. I put it in a little box and put each of the food items in a reusable silicone cupcake liner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1209001 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:53:07 +0000 MamaJ 1209001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: @mediagirl: it looks like the state guidelines are 1/2 cup of veggies or fruit. Looks like they are soon fruit the other 3 days... And fries/tots are once or twice per week </p> <p>I could always do half packed lunch and half school lunch too. It would make life easier not to have to worry about packing lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208954 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:45:09 +0000 Bluebonnet 1208954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it would be a deal breaker for us. LO eats mostly minimally processed, mostly organic food at home. I'm thankful that her school is serious about nutrition and provides lots of fruit and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, etc. The chef is very creative and makes meals for LO's class that I never would have considered for a toddler, but LO loves it. </p> <p>We are moving, so LO is switching schools. When we were looking to tour new schools, we looked at the menu, and that ruled out some options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208934 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:41:02 +0000 mediagirl 1208934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: ugh. Fried foods as veggies. Ugh.</p> <p>Also to clarify, THIS menu would be a deal breaker to me, yes. One with fruits and veggies (not fries or tater tots) as the veggie would not be a deal breaker.</p> <p>Here's a snippet from the NC childcare document:<br /> Snack: consists of at least two components: milk, juice or fruit, bread or cereal, meat or meat alternative.<br /> Breakfast: consists of at least three components: milk, juice or fruit, bread or cereal.<br /> Lunch and Dinner: consists of at least four components: milk, 2 or more fruits or vegetables, meat or meat alternative, bread or bread alternative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208919 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:37:57 +0000 MsLipGloss 1208919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: I can see them counting fries/tots as a veggie, but there should still also be a fruit serving in the mix too . . . for us, it's not one or the other, both are a requirement.</p> <p>ETA: I just looked at our October daycare menu and only found 1 fry/tot on the menu (sweet potato tots). All other potatoes were served mashed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208901 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:34:58 +0000 MamaJ 1208901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: @MsLipGloss: @kiddosc: yeah I'm planning on looking to see if there are state guidelines as well. I was looking at the menu for November and adding up the vegetable servings (anal much? Haha) and each week it's only maybe 2 servings. I think they considering French fries and tator tots as vegetables. Which I wasn't including because I really don't consider that a vegetable.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208886 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:30:33 +0000 wheres_c 1208886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it would be a deal breaker for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208885 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:30:22 +0000 kiddosc 1208885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: I'm confused how they can do veggies only twice a week. Like @mediagirl said, there should be state requirements that mandate veggies every day. </p> <p>I'm not crazy about our daycare's menu, but it's alright. On days I don't like what they're serving, I send our own food and we send a snack every day since they do a lot of crackers, cookies, juice for snack. If this is the most expensive option though, I would look around some more before making a decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208884 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:30:03 +0000 MsLipGloss 1208884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Our state has the same requirements . . . LO's teachers get anxious when she doesn't eat her fruit/veggies and/or protein! (which is why I can bring in other food, to help supplement what she won't eat). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208878 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:27:44 +0000 mediagirl 1208878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaJ: veggies only twice a week? Does your state have any laws about healthy daycare meals? Ours have to serve a veggie, fruit protein and grain with every lunch...</p> <p>It is a struggle for me, too. Her current daycare allows me to bring in her food, so I do. I don't like their menu, for the most part. On days when it is okay, I let her eat what the other kids eat. The daycare she will be moving to next year has a crappy menu, as well and they don't let us bring food. I'm sending her there anyways because I like the place and the cost is cheaper than the fancier places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208873 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:27:04 +0000 raspberries 1208873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't suppose you could ask for a discount, if you're sending your own food? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208862 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:24:15 +0000 looch 1208862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would LOVE it if my daycare provided food! My son will eat anything they serve, but if I try to pack the same stuff, he rejects it. I think it is the peer influence...plus it would be one less thing to have to worry about during the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208857 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:23:48 +0000 DillonLion 1208857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. She gets more variety there than I would provide at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208837 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:19:17 +0000 MamaMoose 1208837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We send our LO's food. She's the only one in her class who doesn't eat the school food. Honestly, it's not that bad what they serve, but I'm a total control freak about her food. Luckily, LO is still too young to really understand that she's eating different food. ALSO, they just did a tasting to update their menu with healthier/tastier options so we will likely be moving her onto the school food before she's old enough to understand that she has different food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208833 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:18:36 +0000 LuLu Mom 1208833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it wasn't for me, it's the only thing I dislike about our daycare is the lack of fresh ingredients. I make up for it and I have her eat breakfast at home instead (she's always hungry before we leave.) The way it "felt" was more imporant to me, and she truly loves it there so that was more important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208828 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:16:04 +0000 MsLipGloss 1208828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wasn't for us . . . and I don't have the option to send all of her food (there are exceptions, of course, but generally speaking, I can't) . . . it has to do with being a nut-free facility and all that kind of stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-the-daycare-menu-be-a-deal-breaker-for-you#post-1208820 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:14:20 +0000 MamaJ 1208820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We looked at our first daycare this morning. I really liked it except for the menu. They provide breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. It was all pretty much processed food. Veggies are only served twice per week and they serve a lot of dairy (LO has a dairy intolerance). Our family is really into minimally processed food and a lot of vegetables. </p> <p>The director said I could send my own food of course. But this daycare is the most expensive I had found but I figured the extra cost came from the food. If I sent my own food that would defeat the purpose of the extra money we would be spending. I also worry LO will realize he doesn't get the same food as the others and be upset. </p> <p>We are looking at another this afternoon that doesn't provide lunch so we will see how that goes. </p> <p>Would the daycare menu be a deal breaker for you? </p>