to ask my childminder not to take my children to MacDonalds

[parakeet]

They are 4 and 8, and have not yet enjoyed the delights of the golden arches. My reasons are mainly to do with the poor quality and unhealthiness of the food there (salt, fat). I know the occasional visit won't do any harm but I don't want them to get a taste for it, and perhaps pester me for return visits, and it will be hard for me to explain why not. I don't judge those who do go there, I'm just explaining my reasoning for context.

So, my child told me the childminder had said she was planning a trip. Would it be unreasonable of me to say I'd rather this didn't happen?

By the way, I've decided that if my children get taken there by their friends' parents as part of a day out, then fine. I just think if I'm actually paying for their care, I should be able to express some preferences over what happens.

Yes, but then things like being vegetarian and setting ground rules about diet should surely be negotiated at the start of the contract. If it is so important to OP that her DC doesn't eat McDs then that should really have been made clear from the outset.
yep, fair enough!

i sometimes see childminders in our mcds and it's sort of cute, they always make sure children have paper nakins set out and they all sit nicely, then almost always the children only eat four chips each but look so happy at being out

O FGS

My CM took my DD during half term because she had her two children with her. DD was under two at the time so I asked her to make some food and take it and she was happy to do that. I didn't think it was fair for her two to miss out.

When she's a bit older I'm sure the odd trip with friends etc won't do any harm, but I'd rather expose her to healthy options while she's eating what's put in front of her.

DD has ASD & won't eat anything McDs has to offer

Or any other kind of takeaway.

She likes a roll & sausage when she is presented with one, but its very rare that we'll be in a situation that she gets any kind of tuition from.

She has Early years tutoring appts from early years, that she seems to benefit greatly from.

Otherwise she has a fingerfood lunch which she may or may not eat.

She is very particular in her tastes, even if she is ravenous.

As the mother of teenagers/early 20's, none of whom had even a chocolate button before their 2nd birthday, this thread makes me laugh. Good luck, I tried so hard but 18 yr old DS seems to regard the local Mc D drivethrough as an extension of our kitchen!

I am a childminder and always ask first if parents mind them going, I have a parent who only lets get child occasionally go as he was overweight, and one didn't take them herself but wasn't bothered about a treat every now and then. Otherwise all are fine about going, do your children go 5 days a week? If not she may just go another day when they aren't there. I sometimes go after we've been swimming or for a birthday treat.

The onlky thing is that if you prohibit something it becomes more exciting for dc. I was told this years ago by an eationg disorder specialist.When we tell a child they cant have desert if dont eat their tea then its giving the message that savoury is bad and sweet is good.
I take mine occasionally but i discuss the choices they make and encourage the healthier options ie fish fingers rather than nuggets and milk to drink,im probably deluding myself but it makes me feel better