Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Jam sandwiches at wraparound care

736 replies

JBeanGarden · 18/10/2025 08:17

My reception age DD goes to a really well arranged breakfast club and after school club 4 days a week. It works very well with 2 commuting parents. I only have one gripe and that is with the food they offer. Technically the food should align with the school’s healthy eating policy, as it’s run by the school not an external provider. The school has asked parents not to provide sweet treats in lunch boxes and it’s quite strict about sandwiches.

HOWEVER the school is not transparent about the wraparound food offer and I had to email three times to get them to tell me what they provide. Once they did, they disclosed that the after school options include a range of sandwiches, including jam, plus a pudding of cake and fruit. Of course, my four-year-old always goes for a jam sandwich and ends up with a very sweet tea 4 days a week. The school says they offer carrot sticks etc, however, not one single parent has ever mentioned this in conversation and so I just think it’s something they say but don’t provide.

We do talk at home about the importance of a balanced diet, but she’s still only four and temptation is there! She’s offered something a bit more nutritionally balanced she gets home, but she’s usually just full of jam sandwich!

I emailed the school to ask them if they are able to comment on this or if they ever review the food that they provide at wraparound care, but I haven’t received a reply. AIBU to push this further?

OP posts:
whimsicallyprickly · 18/10/2025 08:29

Istanbol · 18/10/2025 08:22

Surely food at wrap is just a snack. If she’s having a proper tea at home I wouldn’t worry too much. Maybe just ask them to make she DD doesn’t eat too much of the snacks.

This. ^

She's having a sweet snack at ASC

When she gets home you make sure she has a healthy savoury dinner/tea/supper with no sweet treat. Its not rocket science !

Needlenardlenoo · 18/10/2025 08:28

With wrap around being not part of the school day, it's not subject to policies I don't think.

I do know how you feel but think you would be charged a lot more and food would be wasted if they made the offering more virtuous. And then the wraparound might collapse.

So I guess be careful what you wish for.

Istanbol · 18/10/2025 08:28

Is this your first child? You should see what high school kids eat! In 10 years time you’ll be looking back fondly on jam sandwiches

Almost2026 · 18/10/2025 08:27

Tbh I don’t think it’s majorly different from processed ham or cheese they likely offer but the ‘snack’ thing used to bother me generally when I used after school club, it was never enough / nutritionally balanced enough to be considered dinner but they kids were too full on it to actually eat dinner. We eventually moved to a childminder that offered an actual dinner (for a few reasons not just this one, but it definitely helped with the food problem).

Simplesbest · 18/10/2025 08:25

I buy my kids the sugar free diabetic Jam. Maybe they're buying a low sugar one.

CopperWhite · 18/10/2025 08:24

You could talk to your child and tell her to choose something other than jam every day.

applemangoo · 18/10/2025 08:24

I think you’re overrating - it’s a little jam sandwich.
She’s not being given a Big Mac & Fries everyday!! And if you don’t like the options provided… then make her own snack box?
The school are not going to say they have carrot sticks and then ‘not provide’ them - but the children will be given a choice, and your child chooses jam sandwiches.

JBeanGarden · 18/10/2025 08:24

Simplesbest · 18/10/2025 08:20

It's Jam? Not the end of the world. What would you rather she had in her sandwich?
Ask the school if you can provide your own sandwich for her or else tell them she's developed a new intolerance to strawberries if it's bothered you that much.

Ideally one of the cheese or ham ones they offer. Plus the cake. Jam is not in the same category in my eyes. It’s also a direct contradiction of their own policy!

OP posts:
Istanbol · 18/10/2025 08:22

Surely food at wrap is just a snack. If she’s having a proper tea at home I wouldn’t worry too much. Maybe just ask them to make she DD doesn’t eat too much of the snacks.

Simplesbest · 18/10/2025 08:20

It's Jam? Not the end of the world. What would you rather she had in her sandwich?
Ask the school if you can provide your own sandwich for her or else tell them she's developed a new intolerance to strawberries if it's bothered you that much.

TheNightingalesStarling · 18/10/2025 08:19

Ask if you send her with a packed tea if you don't like the food on offer?

They will need to make something quickly and cheaply.