to be pissed off at nursery?

[LoveMyOscar]

My DS started at a day nursery today. His first day. I was impressed by the outside play facilities and the fresh meals. On the visit, the nursery owner boasted about how each meal was freshly prepared from scratch using organic and free range ingredients by their on-site cook. It was that which sealed the deal for me.

I went to collect him this evening after his first day and the room leader and a young girl who is the apprentice/nursery student were telling me all about DS's day and we got on to dinner. The room leader said DS had barely eaten his lunch which was veggie burgers, mash and carrots. I said that was strange as DS's favourite foods are mash and he adores carrots and I commented that maybe it was the trauma of it being his first day as he usually eats like a horse. The nursery apprentice then pipes up "well it was powdered mash and carrots from a tin. I'm not overly keen on mash made from the powdered stuff". I was really pissed off as I want my DS to enjoy his dinner and for me to be safe in the knowledge that DS is getting a nutritious meal while he's there. AIBU?

YANBU at all, they went back on their word, and were not honest. Give it time, if you are happy with the care he receives, I would not move him because of the food. If it happens again, mabey bring it up with the manager.

My wife used to work at a nursery, and she was annoyed by the difference between what they tell the parents and what they actually feed the kids, too.

Could it have been a one off? Maybe the cook was ill, or something broke in the kitchen and they had to improvise? You should ask.

Thanks for your replies. If they go back on their word about the free range meat then I will be really pissed off as both I and DS's dad are veggies but we provide DS and my other DC with meat in their diet, but only if it's free range.

YANBU - they should be upfront about what they are serving. Presumably you are footing the bill for going to a daycare that serves "free range and organic food" - you definately would here. I would speak to the manager (politely) to confirm that you are getting what you are paying for.

YANBU. Representations were made to you by the nursery and they formed the reason why you chose to use and pay for thier service. They have not delivered and unless this is some sort of one of with a reasonable explanation than they has mis-represented the service provision to you. YANBU to complain loudly to the manager until this is resolved.

You're right Molly, it doesn't come cheap. It was quite a bit more expensive than the other day nurseries around here.

YANBU

What did they say when you pointed out they claimed to make fresh food from scratch?

Theres 2 sides to this.

I am a nursery nurse and I know quite often from my own experiences in private nurseries that food wasnt accurately detailed in fact I myself was 'warned' my position may no longer be mine if I inform a parent, actually they didnt have beef stew and dumplings for 'tea' they had marmite toast .

Having said that a nursery that blatantly used its food prep and menu to attract you to the nursery wouldnt I dont think [gullible] then use powdered mash could the assistant be mistaken??

You chose a nursery based on its food? Really?

OP said that it sealed the deal ie it important to her not that the food provision was her main criteria in choosing a nursery.

Wow so they told you what you wanted to hear to get you to part with your cash.Really?. They are only concerned with making money and anyone who kids themselves otherwise is a fool.

God, you're lucky you've got a choice - all nurseries here, good and i different, are massively oversubscribed with long waiting lists. Just thank your lucky stars you've got a place at all.

nickschic Did you continue to work there?

"You chose a nursery based on its food? Really?" - Fuzzpig

Fuzzpig, I loved all of the nursery on our visit, but the good food menu's were like the cherry on the top. It made it stand out miles better than the rest.

Having trouble actually believing the OP anyway, TBH, but it seems I'm alone in my suspicions :)

So what did they say when you pointed out they lied to you OP?

That's harsh I know - just find it really hard to believe the staff would volunteer the info about tinned and packet food!

Oh beanlet, that sounds rubbish where you are! DS's dad and I looked around 5 nurseries who had all vacancies until we settled on this one. It seems like we're lucky to even have a choice of nurseries.

Not true of all nurseries pink4ever - I work in a nursery and the food on the menus is the food we feed the children, free range organic meat and all. If for whatever reason, the food served doesn't tally with the menu, the parents are told in their daily sheets at the end of the day.

My point is that yes, it's a business, but it's a fairly run one.

fuzzpig, I think the apprentice is young and naive and probably got a bollocking for telling me what she did.

I'd complain to the manager and let your feelings be known, and if things don't change you will report them for false advertising.

I'd have been furious to find out my DD was being given powered mash and tinned veg at nursery. If nothing else at nursery age that'd have too much salt in it.

I have to disagree pink4ever - that was not our experience of using nurseries. Yes, they are a business but certainly not all will lie to parents in this way.