Nursery snack time

[Kemet]

Hi, my children are starting school nursery on Wednesday. At the home visit and on application form I stated that I don't want them to have hard fruit and veg such as apples, pears, carrot and celery, along with grapes and cherry tomatoes. I explained that I have no problem bringing in bananas, oranges, cucumber.

I received an email from the nursery teacher today stating that she understands me feeling anxious and my concerns but the best options going forward would be to ease them in by cutting their fruit into small pieces, ensure they are chewing properly and they stay seated with a first aid trained adult.

I don't want my children to have high risk choke foods such as apples and pears as of yet at nursery unless they were grated which we do at home. My child has had a choking incident with apple before and after doing research I'm now aware of high risk foods for under 5's.

I'm going to speak to the phase leader tomorrow to express I dont want my children to have these foods. Any advice would be grateful and where I stand i.e. can they withdraw their place if I stick to my wishes.

Thank you

How old are your children? do they have teeth?

You're being a bit PFB. I have 4 DC, none of them have ever choked on fruit they were given in nursery class.

Can they even get the food through the bubble wrap?

Any advice would be grateful and where I stand i.e. can they withdraw their place if I stick to my wishes.

We wouldn't know their policies. Ask them direct.

NewYear the OP states a school nursery, so I presume 3.

Yabu. Pick your battles, the poor nursery teacher must have you down as the bonkers parent.

I realise seeing a child choking is scary but how old are your children.

It seems like this is an extreme anxiety to very common foods .

Will a nutribullet fit in their school bags?

Are they SEN? Do they have swallowing problems? Is there a drip feed?

I must have done everything wrong. Mine had slices of apple, celery and carrot to teeth on. Cherry tomatoes are soft. Grapes are pretty soft as long as cut in half.
None of mine ever choked. How are they meant to learn to eat these things? What phobia are you building in them? Nursery is absright but a bit OTT to pacify you.

How old are the children? I do understand your concerns if you've experienced a choking incident. But in reality the only way they will gain experience and avoid choking in future is to practice having these foods.

If this is nursery school, then they will not have the facilities or time to prepare special snacks for your child. Snacks are usually brought in ready prepared like fruit bags you would get from the supermarket.

At our school they do advise if you don't want your child to have something then you can supply your own or refuse snack.

At the nursery my four DC went to, and the drop in playgroup run by the same company, they're well aware of choking risks. They cut hard fruit into matchstick shaped/sized pieces for younger ones, round things like grapes or cherry tomatoes are quartered, and the children eat sitting down in age related groups and are under supervision. All staff are first aid trained. As they get older they have things like apples cut into wedges or slices.

I think you're being a bit OTT, even a young toddler can safely manage apple matchsticks.

When do you stop? Just curious, because yes they are high risk but so are numerous other foods etc.
If you restrict them now you potentially increase their risk later. Obviously a choking episode would make you anxious, but you can not reduce risk in life to zero. Have you spoken to your gp about your anxiety? I feel for you but you need to work on your own fears.

PhilomenaButterfly

went way over your head didn't it ?

If you're going to be like this you should keep them home until you decide to allow them to eat normally.

YABU, children are just as likely to choke on cucumber as Apple surely. They will cut the grapes up. I can't believe you grate pears for a 3 year old.

Sounds like the teacher's suggestion is already going above and beyond for you and I would be grateful for that. I have a choking fear too so I do sympathise, but beyond checking they cut grapes in half lengthways I wouldn't have dreamed of saying anything else. It's my fear and one I have to deal with - not pass on that fear to my child nor make demands on anyone else to have treated my son differently. Teach them the importance of not running about with a mouthful and of chewing properly, double check the grapes/cherry tomatoes thing perhaps, then let it go.

School nursery isn't compulsory, so out don't have to send them, but it is unlikely you will get them another place and it's unlikely that place will also stick to your wishes.

You are being over-cautious. Massively so. DS has had full apples since 6m old. Grapes and cherry tomatoes will be quartered before giving them to the kids. You need manage your anxiety and not pass it to your children.

Also, are you going to have the same issues when they go to school?

Speaking as a mother of a 3 year old who has just started school nursery you're being very precious. Mine has eaten all those foods with no issues for a long time. Grapes and cherry tomatoes are cut in half. They'll be going to school next year you need to get a grip.

However much you do not want your child to choke, multiply it by 10 and that’s how much the nursery teacher does not want a group of choking children.
They will not provide dangerous food.

Oh and my child has properly choked before... it was on a biscuit designed specifically for babies and toddlers. Anyone can choke on any food.

You’re going to give your children all sorts of weird issues with food. You need to leave your own hang ups at the door and let them get on with it. Even my 6 month old can eat an apple (with skin on). Yes, choking sometimes happens but it’s very rare. Any special needs aside, the absolute best thing you can do is to let them explore in a safe environment with proper supervision.

they will be cutting them in half or small bits.

on the other hand you can refuse them to give to her and they have to listen, I'm sure though they could take away her space due to I'll fit but if a nursery can't accomadate an easy, though little ott request then theresbplentt that will.

Hire a Nanny? Poor nursery staff

In the gentlest way possible you are being unreasonable.

We had a near choking miss when DD2 was a baby so I really get it.

But the best way to avoid children choking is for them to learn how to chew these foods properly, not avoiding them altogether. They don't suddenly be safe on their 5th birthday.