This is the time for a hug and asking how the day went. Concentrate on your child and get down to eye level to communicate. A minute or two spent together at this point can make the process of leaving day care go better. Children eat a lot of their meals for the week while at child care. Small portions are given, but children can have seconds or thirds, if they wish.
Food is served family style and the older children can help serve and pour the liquids.
The children determine how much they want to eat and are not forced to eat too much or foods they do not like. You can help your child's caregiver by giving her the toll-free number to call the Better Kid Care program at Penn State for free educational materials. In a quality child care program children learn lots of things during mealtimes. They learn about different kinds of food, to take turns, and to carry on conversations with each other. Good manners are taught, with the caregiver modeling the behavior rather than just telling the children what to do, over and over.