Issues with childminder & food.

I hope this thread has reassured you somewhat. Childminders (all early years settings) should have a Healthy Nutrition Policy - preferably written. healthy eating is a huge part of our working lives and we should be promoting it each way we can.

The minders menu is NOT good.

that said - I do tell parent that very very occasionally we may have a treat of McD's - and i mean very occasionally. i teach children that healthy eating is about healthy choices - everything in moderation, why we shouldn't have too much of xYZ etc but its ok once in a while.
if parents object to these sorts of 'treats' that is totally fine with me - we just don't get one.

My menus are homemade foods like:
casseroles, curries, spag bol/lasagne/ chicken breast, pizza (made from scratch), lots of veg, fruits - basically a balanced diet.

when you drop your child off and the tv is does she have other children or is your child the first to arrive. as if i am organised and am waiting for children to arrive i will sit and watch my tv. is it still on when you come bk is her husband there could he have come in from work and just turned it on.
its just a thought

Jeremey Kyle with children in sight/earshot Definitely not the right sort of thing for a child to see.

Agree with Dan about cm's with their own children - please don't rule them out. I was a cm for 10 years, prior to that I had worked in nurseries and as a nanny. I know lots of nannies that have gone into cming once they have their own children. I also think someone that has their own children is a lot more in tune with the needs and wishes of fellow mums.

Oh and daytime tv is a big no, we may have cbeebies on for half hour before pick up but thats it.

Most childminders I know are the same as me, we fit our lives and children around the mindees, not the other way round.

All the minders I know endorse healthy eating and after having children ourselves are actually more understanding of the reasons why healthy eating is a priority.

I would look elsewhere and please don't assume that minders with their own children do it just because it fits in. That is often the initial reason but I and others have gone on to gain childcare qualifications, and with working at home and having a family that took alot of hard work to achieve.

I've got 4 children of my own, they are all at school, I take mindees out on an outing every day, feed only healthy snacks, water or milk and would never give mindees any food that the parents didn't agree with. I ask for parents to supply a healthy packed lunch so we all know what the children are eating.

Good luck with your search for a new minder, or changing the attitude of your current minder.

Would you have daytime telly on all day and feed him junk food and no veg? Would you allow your extended to family do that day in day out.

Don't blame yourself. Food you can send in yourself and ask for a reduction unless she changes the menu. Daytime telly is

This week I served:
Pizza Toast, cucumber/carrot/tomato Chocolate pudding Fish Pie with leeks & broccoli
Fishcakes, salad Fruit Flan Pasta with cheese & tomato salsa
Chicken Nuggets, cucumber/carrot/tomato Fruit and Custard Cowboy casserole
Sandwiches, salad Profiteroles Mince, mash, with carrots & peas
Pasta with cheese, ham, broccoli & sweetcorn Meringue Mess Toad in the Hole, with carrots & broccoli

(that is lunch/pudding/tea - but I am a bit awkward about food - B/F is cereal & fruit, snack is 3 types of dried or fresh fruit)
Oh & the fishcakes were bought & the chicken nuggets were homemade.

As a childminder I also provide food for the children and would never feed a 12mth old KFC/McDonalds type food. My menu consists of

Mon- Homemade Veg Soup and filled sandwich
Tues - Chicken Casserole
Wed- Tuna Pasta in Homemade tomato sauce
Thur- Mince, mashed potato and peas
Fri- Sweet and Sour with rice

We also have at least 3 portion of fresh fruit a day as well as yoghurts, cheese, cerals etc for snacks.

I adapt the menu depending on the children I have and never give them juice if any type only milk and water.

I would be mortified if a parent thought I was feeding them junk and just wouldnt do it, they do get a treat once or twice a week but that would just be a couple of chocolate buttons.

OK, I missed your last post, and would now like to change my mind about my last comment.

TV on all the time, dog hair on the floor on top of KFC, etc.? I am now with your DH and would be looking elsewhere for a carer.

I wouldn't be massively keen about the TV being on all the time either - is it CBeebies or just daytime TV?

If she's newly registered then she might just be a bit clueless about the standard of care expected from a CM - TV and KFC is fine for your own children, but if you are a professional childcarer then the standards are higher.

Could you request a review meeting? You can chat about how well your DS has settled, give positive feedback about all the things you like, and also raise your concerns.

The food issue is obviously not a problem to your childminder & unless you say anything she will be unaware that you are unhappy and so nothing will change. Your dh wants to move yet you say ds loves her, surely it is worth working with her rather than walking away from the problem. If you moved what would happen if the next childminder did something you didn't like? Move your ds again?
Please please try to work on this. How about sending him with some fruit/veg to have for snack. This will increase his intake and balance the meals and you can then ensure he has a healthy evening meal. Have you had ds weighed recently? How's his weight, perhaps this could be an angle to use,saying you've taken advice from hv & provide the childminder with some leaflets on suitable meals for 1yr olds. You will be able to get the point across but not directly. Of course if the meals don't improve over time then decide if changing minder is the best option.
I'm with you on the food issue, please don't take my message wrong, I'm just thinking of the relationship your little boy has already made.

Juice in a bottle is a 'no' for any child, because of their teeth.

Occasional little bits of junk food surrounded by lots of lovely healthy food (not just the occasional banana) is OK, I think. I am a CM and have taken the children to a fast food restaurant a couple of times in 10 years, with the prior agreement of their parents.

Have a chat with the CM, or she won't know you are concerned. She may say "Oh yes, your DS had one piece of my popcorn chicken and a chip, with cauliflower cheese, potatoes and a fruit pudding" (but it sounds unlikely from the food list you gave).

I don't think you should have to send a packed lunch when you are paying for food (but see how this could work if the objective is to avoid confrontation).

I would say something to her fairly directly - it doesn't have to be rude but it does have to be clear that your concern is your son's nutrition, which is included in what you pay for, and that while the occasional treat is fine, you have an expectation of his being provided with healthy, balanced (especially fruit & veg!) meals when he is in her care. If she responds poorly to this, then I am with your DH, would find another carer and not give it another thought.

i would be livid if my 12m old child was fed KFC

It is far to full of salt for a 12m old to be able to handle, and surely any CM would realise this?

IMO KFC (even as a one off) is not a suitable meal for a 12m old, (and i wouldnt eat it myself either!)

Just tell her you are giving him a packed lunch and no need for an explanation, you can then either ask for a reduction in rate, or not. As for the juice thing, again just tell her, "I really don't want him having any kind of juice, so please just give him water. Thanks"

I often find with these type of things, there is no need to explain yourself, just say what you want to say politely and leave it at that. You only need to give an explanation if one is requested. Even then, just say, "its just what we prefer for him, thanks" IYSWIM

If you're happy about all the other aspects of her care, and your DS is happy and settled there, it seems extreme to remove him just because of the food.

Either you have to come straight out and say you're not happy with the food (maybe phrase it as "I know I'm really picky/fussy about food, but I would prefer DS to have/not have..." - that way you're stating your personal preferences, rather than talking about good/bad food or criticising her) OR send him with a packed lunch.

Fab says it all really, you need to be comfortable talking to your CM, your DS will probably be with her for a good few years, some of mine I have had from 6wks old.

That list of this weeks offerings is PANTS! wheres the variety of tastes / textures / food groups its all carbs.

Is she newly registered?

TBH saying you don't want your child to eat the food she is providing is going to cause offence but at some point this person will be a distant memory most likely in your life and your child's diet is more important.

She hasn't given your child any veg all week and 2 pieces of fruit. That is terrible.