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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be pissed off at nursery?

46 replies

LoveMyOscar · 27/06/2011 20:18

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?

OP posts:

worraliberty · 27/06/2011 21:00

OP What did they say when you pointed all this out to them?

MissBetsyTrotwood · 27/06/2011 21:00

Bide your time. The apprentice might not have known what she was talking about so it may not have been a lie. Also, if he ends up happy there but the food's not up to scratch would you take him out then? Wait and see, I guess.

I agree, it's really important what they get fed at nursery, school, wherever and if they'd said this to me and I liked the rest of the place it would have been a clincher. To have such an approach to food sort of suggests a wider, healthy, ethical ethos so I can understand why they'd state it as a selling point.

Is their food policy written down anywhere in their literature or did she just tell you that on the tour?

MissVerinder · 27/06/2011 21:05

Turn up out of the blue about 20 minutes before lunch and ask to see inside the kitchen...

Or check the bins for carrot tins.

Original poster

LoveMyOscar · 27/06/2011 21:07

I'm so sorry Worral

The nursery owner/manager wasn't in when I collected DS unfortunately, so I am going to collar her tomorrow. I did express my annoyance at the two nursery staff and got an apology but basically told i'll have to speak to manager tomorrow.

OP posts:

Original poster

LoveMyOscar · 27/06/2011 21:10

On the nursery literature it states sample menus which are all 'fresh this and fresh that' so we'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.

OP posts:

Original poster

LoveMyOscar · 27/06/2011 21:10

:o miss verinder!

OP posts:

fuzzpig · 27/06/2011 21:13

If what she said is true, and you can show that (a) they made it clear that the food was all homecooked etc and (b) they did use packet crap food, presumably you can get them in a heap of trouble. Trading standards or something.

Thankfully I have seen DD's nursery food being served (she's only there twice a week so TBH I didn't give it that much thought anyway) and it is really good stuff, all home cooked.

I have to agree though with the PP on page 1 who said you'd be kidding yourself if you thought private nurseries aren't just there to make money. As I said my DD is at her private one, but on the other 3 days she's at a charity-run Playgroup, and it is totally different. I do like the private one (or she wouldn't be there) but it is primarily a business, and as lovely as the staff are, it does show. The other one is much more child led, and more nurturing, and the staff seem much more into the role and their pupils. Just my experience though.

Rangirl · 27/06/2011 21:15

YADNBU I would insist on a meeting with owner and if not 100% happy I would remove my child This is not so much on the basis of the food itself but on the fact they are dishonest and I would not leave my DC with anyone I coul not trust

worraliberty · 27/06/2011 21:15

Ahh right well...give 'em hell

Let's hope it's a one off and they're not palming their food off as fresh when it isn't.

fuzzpig · 27/06/2011 21:15

Oh bugger I just realised I have to start looking into school dinners soon as DD starts reception this year. It's an outside company, got a good reputation... £2.20 a day though

beanlet · 27/06/2011 21:41

Yes, we've had to "choose" a chain nursery that gets really mixed reports, though it is next door to DH's work. Quite :( for DS. We were 2nd on the waiting list from last August for an ofsted outstanding nursery and they filled up immediately with siblings - even had to turn some siblings down apparently!

Wish this childcare lark was easier...

nickschick · 28/06/2011 10:37

Worra - I did work there for some time afterwards but I made it clear I wouldnt be participating in any 'untruths' with regards to food served.

What I find a tad disconcerting is the fact the nursery assistant knew it was packeted mash and tinned carrots at the nursery I was in we rarely went in the kitchen as we were always busy with the children and the kitchen was 'out of bounds' unless you were wearing aprons and hats etc and had a food hygiene cert.

Tbh packet mash and tinned veg would be a far more expensive option than freshly prepped stuff.

nickschick · 28/06/2011 10:40

Beanlet the nursery I was in although it was far from ideal had such lovely staff that many professionals chose it simply for that element as they knew their dc were loved whilst there -and if im v honest we did adore all out children,mine are now in their 20s and I frequently see some of them and they rush to hug me and tell me whats been happening.

Sometimes it is happiness that counts rather than educational merit and posh menus.

littleducks · 28/06/2011 10:47

It doesn't sound great tbh but I would try and find out more info before juding. I have bought powderd mash that is organic/all natural ingrediants from Costco called honest earth. It is ok, not as good as real mash but I had it as an emergency back up/for camping etc. it isnt cheap though. but preferably to smash imo.

So it is possible that for some reason (cook ill/delivery not turn/potatoes gone bad unexpectedly) they had to use a product like the one i linked to.

Sewmuchtodo · 28/06/2011 10:51

Did you get to speak to the manager today?

worraliberty · 28/06/2011 10:51

I wondered that too...but perhaps she had some for lunch too?

worraliberty · 28/06/2011 10:52

Too many toos there

QueenKate · 28/06/2011 10:57

My DDs are currently at Pre-prep. We just moved area and there were no places anywhere else so popped them in there for the time being (they'll go to the local primary in September). At all the schools we toured for September a huge focus was on fresh, healthy meals, well balanced diet.

At Pre-Prep they get fishfingers, waffles and beans on a regular basis (the kind of meal I'd feel a bit crappy about giving them at home now and again) and every meal is always followed by...fruit? No. Yoghurt? No. Cake! No wonder they bloody love it there!

nickschick · 28/06/2011 10:58

Worra I did think of that too and we used to eat with the children but if there wasnt enough for the adults the cook would give us something similar but different so possibly staff ate powdered mash?? we only used to have very meagre amounts just to join in with the 'lunchtime' and then on our individual lunch break wed have sandwiches brought from home or something.

fuzzpig · 28/06/2011 13:20

Any feedback OP? did you speak to them?

Sewmuchtodo · 30/06/2011 15:23

Any news from the nursery yet?

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