USDA requires a physician's note if you are bringing food from home. You will need to renew it annually.

Also- in MD all day cares that provide food will now have to abide by the Government's 'my plate' even if providers don't participate in the food program for reimbursement.

Anonymous wrote:It should not be a problem. Parents have to OPT-IN to the food program (so the provider can claim you). There's a form you fill out if you want to join.

I don't see why it would be a problem for the day care unless they just want to claim your child for the extra $$$. AND, if they do claim you but they don't provide the food it's fraud.

They do just want the money. Or they think they know better than you do. Either way, it's bs, and I won't send my child to a daycare that's part of the food program.

It should not be a problem. Parents have to OPT-IN to the food program (so the provider can claim you). There's a form you fill out if you want to join.

I don't see why it would be a problem for the day care unless they just want to claim your child for the extra $$$. AND, if they do claim you but they don't provide the food it's fraud.

I chose a daycare that requires children bring their own food because I disagree with the USDA's food plans. We don't eat like that at home, so why would I let my child eat like that at daycare? We're not hardcore organic either, but we don't eat things like juice and processed cheese and chips.

And for an infant? Seriously, it's not hard for the provider to open a organic baby food pouch.

You're not being unreasonable or uptight at all!!
My daughter was at a daycare for over 2 years and parents could bring their own food.

It's a shame people have been rude and disrespectful to you.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. At our daycare, the parents pack and send lunch and snacks. Even if they provided food, I'd prefer to keep packing/sending a lunch.

I bring in a cheese sandwich for my kid at daycare on days when they will be eating something for lunch that she won't eat. She has sensory processing issues which means that she's scared of some foods and simply won't eat them (although there's probably some typical toddler pickiness going on, too).

My daycare is great about letting me bring in food because my kid has problems, but I'm careful to only bring in stuff that's easy to prepare and won't tempt the other kids to try to take it from my kid's plate.

Bottom line, tho, I bring in something that's easy for the teachers to dump on a plate and won't tempt the other kids. Ideally, you should have your kid in a daycare that uses organic foods, since it means so much to you.

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, I once posted here asking if I should get mad if my daycare worker fed my kid something other than what I provided him (I also was slow in having him try food and was doing organic). Everyone jumped on me and said I was uptight and to get a nanny. My center was really accommodating (when his main teacher was gone, things would go crazy). I don't think you're being unreasonable. You're paying for a service. It's your child. Your rules.

Actually you're a client.

Anyway, OP if this is what you want to do then find a care provider who works that way. Some do, and agree to it at the beginning when you sign the contract. Then you know what to expect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an in home daycare owner, I wouldn't allow this. It is a giant hassle to prep special food for one kid, to explain to the other kids why your kid gets different food, and to worry about potential allergens you are introducing. I spend a lot of time on my menus and they are balanced and healthy, and I would term you in a heartbeat if you started asking for special treatment.

Hi Nannyde.

LOL. Here too hmm?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Why is this an issue? When my child was at Bright Horizons, we did bring food sometimes. Just tell them its allergies-- they will not second guess you.

It sounds like OP wants to bring food that has to be heated, or otherwise prepared, by the provider. this is different than if it was ready to eat.

Ours, like others have said, heats food via a bottle warmer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Why is this an issue? When my child was at Bright Horizons, we did bring food sometimes. Just tell them its allergies-- they will not second guess you.

It sounds like OP wants to bring food that has to be heated, or otherwise prepared, by the provider. this is different than if it was ready to eat.

Right, that can be a real issue if you want to do this on a regular basis. What time is lunch? Can you bring the food already heated in an insulated container?

Anonymous wrote:Huh? Why is this an issue? When my child was at Bright Horizons, we did bring food sometimes. Just tell them its allergies-- they will not second guess you.

It sounds like OP wants to bring food that has to be heated, or otherwise prepared, by the provider. this is different than if it was ready to eat.

Huh? Why is this an issue? When my child was at Bright Horizons, we did bring food sometimes. Just tell them its allergies-- they will not second guess you.

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, I once posted here asking if I should get mad if my daycare worker fed my kid something other than what I provided him (I also was slow in having him try food and was doing organic). Everyone jumped on me and said I was uptight and to get a nanny. My center was really accommodating (when his main teacher was gone, things would go crazy). I don't think you're being unreasonable. You're paying for a service. It's your child. Your rules.

You don't get to make the rules in someone else's business. You can shop around until you find one that fits, but no not your rules. If you want to make the rules stay home or hire an employee.