What to do with/feed an 18 month old?

[hub1176]

I have my first child starting my child care tomorrow! She is 18 months old and I want to make sure I have plenty of ideas on things to do with her and since I'm going to pick up some groceries I want to make sure I get things that an 18 month old can eat that are nutruitious.

So far plans include, music/dancing, paper plate crafts (thank you parenting magazine!)outside/get the wiggles out time :)story time etc. Obviously with an 18 month old (in addition to my now 5 month old :) ) I'm not expecting a regimented schedule.

Also what type of food should I buy? Mom and Dad said she eats what they eat, but I think I may need to cut things up? What foods are considered no-no's? Please help! I really want to do a great job.

[KKay]

DD loves fresh fruit (apples, bananas, pears, mangoes, peaches), mac/cheese, spaghetti, tomato soup, turkey/cheese, pancakes, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, carrots, and corn.

Try to cut up and hide veggies they don't like in mashed potatoes (green beans and peas in DD case).

I usually give her fruit or graham crackers at snack time.

Good luck with your daycare!

[hub1176]

Thanks KKay, I just printed out your post! :)

[Ohana]

hub I made all of DD's food (for daycare, breakfast, lunch and two snacks every day). PM me if you want a copy of the menu and tips and tricks for making preparing meals quickly.

[goldfish]

Where I live, all the in-home daycares require that the parents supply the child's food each day. Only day care centers provide their own food to the children.
In my opinion it is a big responsibility to be planning meals for an 18 month old or any small child. What if she has a sudden allergic reaction to something you gave her?
Just my opinion and something to think about...I wish you the best of luck with your 1st day!
:)

[Sarah]

no hot dogs (unless cut up tiny), whole grapes, hard candy, popcorn. they are all choking hazards. no peanut butter or peanuts, either.

[hub1176]

Ohana I'm PM'ing you now!:)

goldfish I know this is something that really differs depending on where you live. We found that around here, most daycares provided food with the exception of infants - for them parents must provide EBM/Formula and baby food. In my contract I do stipulate that if their child has allergies they must provide the food. You brought up a great point though, I plan on printing out a menu for the week and having them look it over and let me know if there are problems (and if there are they will have to provide the food for that day).


This is what I bought today:
Bannanas, oatmeal(instant), frozen french toast sticks, yobaby yogurt(Sontyfield Farm certified organic), applesauce, cheerios, graham crackers, 2% milk, cheese(for grilled/toasted cheese sandwich) I also bought 2 Gerber Graduates Ravolis. I may buy turkey hotdogs but know they have to be cut up very tiny. I also don't want to go nutty since she's only here 3 days this week and I want to see what she likes and doesn't.

[Sarah]

sounds pretty good to me. maybe some frozen peas, or corn, or broccoli. my kid loved tofu at that age.

[dzmattie]

I think you could ask them what they eat since they were kind of general with you - I find that different families eat alot of different things as their "regular" menu - but your list so far looks good.

Some things my son eats or ate around that age - he is 21 months now so not too different in age - mac n'cheese, sweet potatoes, meatballs, fish sticks, any kind of pasta (loves different shapes), strawberries, waffles, scrambled egg, chicken nuggets (purdue - in the meat case), bananas, diced peaches & pears (either jarred baby food ones or light fruit cocktail in the cans - not the kind in the syrup), broccoli, baked chicken (a favorite), carrots (cooked till very mushy), ravioli, baked ziti with ricotta cheese & mozzerella, watered down 100% fruit juice, yo baby yogurt, cheerios.

Mine didn't like the Gerber ravioli but I think alot of kids do...

Good luck!!

[NicoleWisconsin]

My DS goes to in-home day care and I provide all of his food, so I'm just really curious how much they are paying you to do all of that... You bought quite a bit! Just be careful you don't spend all your profits ;)

If you want to PM me, that's ok, too... Or if I'm too nosey, that's ok, also ;)