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Original poster

Issues with childminder & food.

59 replies

SpringyWho · 29/04/2010 16:55

I'm posting because 12 month old DS has been going to a CM since September & generally all is well there so far as I can tell - he loves her, which was my main concern.

Recently, we've become aware that she's been giving him undiluted orange juice in his bottles (it has stained the teats), which we are not happy about & have asked her to give him either milk or water in addition to the formula that we send him with, if he needs another drink (he'll happily drink anything, so that's not a problem).

Today, DH has come home & checked his book - he's eaten 'popcorn chicken & chips'. Apparently there was also a KFC cup on view when picking him up, so we can only assume that that's what he's eaten. There have been a few other instances when we've been slightly unhappy with what he's been given (jam sandwich, for example), but haven't said anything because it's not seemed worth it.

I really don't want to cause any offence, & she also looks after a family 2 year old, so clearly this is what they consider to be standard for a toddler & I don't want to seem like I'm criticising their values, because I'm not - we just have values of our own, too.

How should we approach this situation?

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FabIsGoingToGetFit · 29/04/2010 17:50

There are other better good childminders around. If you can't speak to the person you are paying to look after your child you need to think about why imo.

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 29/04/2010 17:48

Undiluted squash or juice?

If you are going to continue sending your child I would consider sending packed lunch.

That menu doesn't look great to me, No veg, very little fruit.

pinkmagic1 · 29/04/2010 17:47

Like other have said, if she is giving junk daily I would be concerned, otherwise I would chill.

Original poster
SpringyWho · 29/04/2010 17:44

Littlepurpleprincess! We cross-posted & I didn't notice, sorry!

This week:

Monday - Pizza + potato. Banana.
Tuesday - Sausage + mash.
Wednesday - Chicken sandwich. Banana. Yoghurt.
Thursday - Popcorn chicken + chips.

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Original poster
SpringyWho · 29/04/2010 17:43

Katieskids, that is definitely an option, but her (not dirt cheap) rate includes food, so I'm not entirely happy about it.

atworknotworking, the jam sandwich was his lunch. I've never heard of an All About book - he only has a book now because the OFSTED inspector (is that right?) suggested that it might be an idea. I really doubt she has a menu - I think it's just as it comes. For example today I imagine they were near a KFC, so had KFC.

I just feel a bit awkward saying that I feel it inappropriate for him to eat fast food, because she might think that it's an attack on her own family - she doesn't have children of her own, but looks after her parents' two foster daughters, one of whom is only about 13 months older than DS & must eat the same things.

DH is really unhappy & wants to change CM, but I'd rather not - DS loves her & she is very good with him on a personal level & I wouldn't want to uproot him if we can resolve the issue. Ack. I hate confrontation!

OP posts:
atworknotworking · 29/04/2010 17:32

The undiluted juice would bother me, theres a lot of sugar in juice and if your DS is happy with water then really this should be given. I only give juice to older mindees with tea and even then some prefer water and I use the reduced sugar stuff.

If your DS has had KFC this would worry me also IMO it's junk food mega high salt content and no food value whatsoever.

The jam sarnys ok if a snack type thing but not as a main meal.

Did you provide an All about DS book when he started in Sept, with details of what foods and drinks you would prefer him to have, this is quite common practice for young children and babies, if you did I would refer back to the notes you made and ask that your DS has more of those things. If not then I think you are just going to have to explain that you only want DS to drink water / milk and you feel its inappropriate for children so young to eat fast food and you would prefer if he had X Y Z (provide list). Also a lot of CM's have menu's now, ask for a copy, just say it's so that you can plan his meals so he isn't having the same / similar things to often at home.

katieskids · 29/04/2010 17:24

Would it be possible for you to provide a hot meal from home that needs heating up, saying that it makes it easier when you get home from work if he only needs a cold meal? Avoiding the issue but dealing with it in a way that you're happy and she's none the wiser.
Or provide a cold lunchbag with items in it that you are happy for him to eat with the excuse that you want him to start eating a hot meal with you & dh when you are together of an evening. Can you guess I don't like confrontation?

Original poster
SpringyWho · 29/04/2010 17:01

Obviously I realise that we need to be clear with her, but I just need advice on how to raise the topic with her in a sensitive way.

OP posts:
Littlepurpleprincess · 29/04/2010 17:01

I would look at what she feeds him over a week. Is it mostly healthy foods with the occasional treat? or is it regular junk? If it is a regular thing then it's not on.

I appriciate its a bit akward but I am a CM and if a parent was unhappy I would want them to tell me.