Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Surestart centre giving whole grapes to babies and toddlers

161 replies

delicioso · 17/11/2011 17:44

I've been to my local surestart centre a few times and they often have a snack table.

Sometimes there's a formal snack time and other times the table is just left ouf for children to help themselves.

They often serve whole grapes as a snack - I know they maybe don't have time to cut the grapes up but I have a friend who is a paediatric nurse and has seen more than one fatality in children who have choked on grapes Sad

I'm probably going to be told IABU because it's the parents responsibility to cut them up. I do bite them half for my 15 month old, but today as I was sitting with her distracted talking to someone the surestart lady held out the bowl of grapes to her and she took one and started eating it and I had to fish it out of her mouth.

Lots of the parents don't sit up with the children at snack time and I guess I just think it's a bit dangerous if one of the little ones chokes on one. I just wonder why they don't serve something else instead if they aren't going to cut up the grapes.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 17/11/2011 18:11

As has been said: Just mention it and offer to cut them up.

HecateGoddessOfTheNight · 17/11/2011 18:11

What's it got to do with anything?

Hmm

It's a nice gesture. It's helpful. It's thoughtful and it allows you to raise the issue in a way that is not going to ruffle feathers.

That's what it's got to do with anything.

RitaMorgan · 17/11/2011 18:11

Contact the council?

How about asking the woman at the group who was handing out grapes Confused

MenopausalHaze · 17/11/2011 18:11

Well did you say something or not? My 'unhinged' alert is starting to beep just a little...........

Rational · 17/11/2011 18:11

How old are these kids?

SoupDragon · 17/11/2011 18:11

Just don't bite them all in half and put them in the bowl.

Original poster
delicioso · 17/11/2011 18:12

Asscants Confused because they do it at more than one centre. And much as I'd like to spend my time being grape monitor at each of the individual centres in our area it might be be more effective to just make a phone call, no?

OP posts:
RitaMorgan · 17/11/2011 18:12

So did you bring it up at the time? What was the response?

AssCants · 17/11/2011 18:13

Your OP only mentioned centre in the singular.

MenopausalHaze · 17/11/2011 18:13

You go OP! The world needs a Grape Monitor and you sound just right for the job!!

Fayrazzled · 17/11/2011 18:13

delicioso, I think people aren't really clear about why you've posted. Everyone is entitled to a rant from time to time, of course, but the only way to sort this issue out is to TALK to someone at the centre. Whole grapes are a risk for small children and babies but not everyone knows. Arguably someone employed at a Surestart Centre should, but really, the best way to do it is just to tell someone and ask them to cut them up (or not offer grapes any more which is what they may decide to do).

Original poster
delicioso · 17/11/2011 18:15

Ok, here is what I said, and please, feel free to flame me for it, it's only right give I've had the audacity to be concerned for the welfare of small children, after all.

I fished the grape out of my DDs mouth and said "I don't give her whole grapes in case she chokes on them" and the woman said nothing.

OP posts:
FullBeam · 17/11/2011 18:16

I am quite shocked that they serve whole grapes to babies and toddlers. I thought it was common knowledge that they can cause young children to choke and die.

blackoutthesun · 17/11/2011 18:17

since when did we have to cut up grapes?

valiumredhead · 17/11/2011 18:17

Well that's a bit wishy washy imo. I would've said " Were you aware that whole grapes are a choking hazzard and it's best to serve them cut up?"

Original poster
delicioso · 17/11/2011 18:18

Good for you valium, have a medal.

OP posts:
RitaMorgan · 17/11/2011 18:18

If you are worried, then I would call the centre and explain your concern, and what you would like to see happen, clearly.

RitaMorgan · 17/11/2011 18:19

Not suprised the woman kept quiet if you're this antagonistic in real life.

Tianc · 17/11/2011 18:20

Why is the OP getting a pasting? Seems her point about the grapes is valid, and she's a bit surprised to find that this has happened in an official childcare setting which explicitly exists to model good parenting.

She's getting a feel for what to do next. Why the drama and sarcasm?

Xmasbaby11 · 17/11/2011 18:21

Parents need to supervise their children while they eat. That's all it takes. It's not reasonable to expect staff to cut grapes in half.

AFuckingKnackeredWoman · 17/11/2011 18:21

I can honestly say i have never cut up a grape for ds1 (90) or ds2 (13 months) nor have i seen anyone do so..

But being shocked does nothing why didn't you say something at the time?

CailinDana · 17/11/2011 18:21

They do this at my local surestart centre too and I was surprised at first but I just make sure I monitor my DS and I bite them in half for him. It's up to the parents to watch their children while they're at the centre so I didn't complain as I'm pleased they offer fresh fruit that my DS enjoys. There are plenty of toys at the centre that are somewhat dangerous but I'm aware of that and keep a close on my DS as he plays. It's all part of life.

Smellyanne · 17/11/2011 18:21

FWIW I also have a friend who is a paediatric nurse who has seen cases of children choking to death on whole grapes -wonder if its the same person? - so i think YANBU

Liz79 · 17/11/2011 18:21

Would have thought trying to fish it out would increase risk of choking if you accidently poke it wrong way?

SoupDragon · 17/11/2011 18:22

Why did you post? I am unsure seeing as you don't actually want to hear what people have to say and simply want to make sarcastic responses.

Swipe left for the next trending thread