Is this really healthy enough for a child to have every day for lunch

[Coconutcheese]

One of my friends is a childminder - I pop round every so often maybe 3/4 times a month and every time without fail the kids she takes care of are having the same lunch she calls it a ‘picky plate’ it consists of
for the baby - baby puff crisps , grated cheese, banana and some yogurt and for the older children baby puff crisps, cheese, ham, banana, strawberries , raisins and a small yogurt.

I said to her ‘is that enough don’t they get hungry ?!’ She said no it’s plenty as she always does a proper tea (a casserole or pasta or chunky veg soup and bread) but it just doesn’t seem that good for a childcare setting or is it more strict for nurseries (do childminders need to have a menu for each week ?)

Edited to add as I forgot to include the important bit that she told me it’s what they have every single day as it’s quick and easy

Re the raisins - in moderation, they are a healthy snack (according to peer reviewed evidence)

‘They are rich in fiber and phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds. Despite a 60% sugar content, several studies have reported health-promoting properties for raisins and this review compiles the intervention studies, as well as the cell line and animal model studies carried out to date. It has been demonstrated that raisins possess a low-to-moderate glycemic index, which makes them a healthy snack. They seem to contribute to a better diet quality and may reduce appetite. Their antioxidant capacity has been correlated to the phenolic content and this may be involved in the improvement of cardiovascular health. In addition, raisins maintain a good oral health due to their antibacterial activity, low adherence to teeth and an optimum oral pH.’

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019280/

I'd be alot more concerned as a parent that she lets her friends pop round in working hours

That's such a safeguarding issuel

It’s allowed and I’m not a safeguarding threat !

It may be technically allowed, but do the parents know their childminder regularly over ? Are you left alone with the children (for example she nips to the toilet, or to change an unregent nappy?

Plus its unprofessional having guests when you are supposed to be working.

Isn't one of the so-called benefits of a childminder that it's meant to replicate normal "home" life?

Having a friend over for a coffee once a month falls into that category, I would have thought?

Absolutely not ! I’m never alone with the children or involved in their care - I will chat to them and once one wanted a story read but that’s it ! And my friend is there all the time

I'd be much more bothered about my childminder having a friend over for coffee when she's looking after my child. Yes it may be ok by the rules, but so is feeding the kids the food you've complained about. I'd rather my kids were fed less than perfectly healthy food but my childminder was focused on caring for my child like I pay her to be, rather than chatting with you

Some friend you are.

I used to be a childminder and I used to treat my kitchen like a restaurant. I had seasonal menus which took into account veg, fibre, carbs and proteins.

I can tell you now that is not appropriate food for a growing child.

But it is up to parents to complain.

Things have changed since my DC went to childminders, clearly.
Most kids took a packed lunch, because a) their parents choose what to feed them and b) when is the CM supposed to be doing all this cooking and food prep?
I'd certainly prefer for a CM to be looking after the children, not being otherwise occupied in the kitchen.

What makes you think all nurseries are better?
Its the parents individual choice but I would choose a childminder to care for my child over a nursery.

It's a childminder. The whole point of a cm is a home experience. Quite normal. If that's not what you want you chose a nursery instead.

But you only pop round 3/4 times a month? So it might not be everyday?

Do you think that he staff at nursery are always completely focused on your child or that they never chat to each other? Children at childminders are more.likely to get individual attention with a childminder

I wouldn't be thrilled with that as a daily lunch option or the fact that friends can pop in/out but that's a reason why I went with a nursery.

DS has just started at a childminder and I’m not thrilled about the menu. She writes what he ate into his notes each day and it’s usually toast, a pouch and something like cucumber sticks. It’s not really a proper meal and no protein/iron. Wondering what to do about it, I suppose I could send a packed lunch but the food is included in the fees and I shouldn’t have to really.

Yawn.

My 2yo goes to nursery, 3 mornings (stays for lunch) and one full day. This week for lunches she’s had:

Chicken casserole (Monday)
Tomato chicken pasta (Wednesday)
Salmon in sauce with couscous (Thursday)
Beef stew (Friday)

There’s a three week rolling menu.

Ham every day is not good at all. It’s nasty, processed crap.

This wouldn't bother me because this is sadly the sort of rubbish that my child is willing to eat. I very much wish she would eat more and better but have to be realistic. Childmind could serve something much fancier but it probably just wouldn't get eaten. Any parents who do have good eaters who would want something more could always have a word and provide better food if needed

And the childminder is cooking things like that for dinner every night - it's just the lunches that are the same everyday (according to OP, anyway).

TBH I suspect she doesn't give exactly the same meat and fruit everyday - it will vary depending on the season, price and what's actually available when she does her food shop, surely?

Mine goes to nursery full time and it is very similar at his too, even with a 3 week rolling menu.

It's better they eat that and have had plenty than go hungry because they haven't eaten a healthy meal .

Your question was what do people think kids get fed at nursery. That’s what my 2yo gets fed at nursery. As she only does one full day she only has tea there one day a week but over the last three weeks the tea (served at 3.30pm) has been:

Slice of cold meat pie
Cheese and crackers
Chicken sandwich

All served with fruit.

She doesn’t get baby puff crisps or “picky bits”

I don't see the issue here. She says their tea time meal is casserole, pasta, etc? The lunch they are being served is simple but not awful by any stretch, and when combined with the tea time meal and whatever is served for bfast, is likely well rounded.
If that's all they had all day, then yes, that would be an issue. However it's clearly not.