To complain to the school?

[AccidentallyOnPurpose]

Two weeks ago DD came out of school asking me why I ordered her a jacket potato instead of roast dinner for Wednesday. I told her I didn't and she said she was given a jacket potato and when she said that's not right the dinner lady said " well, tell your mum to order you the right thing then". I can check on the app and showed her she was down for roast. The comment bothered me ,as I did make sure to order the right thing but just assumed some kind of mistake or miscommunication, shrugged my shoulders and let it go. DD won't eat the jacket potato,but one missed lunch won't kill her.

She came home today and the dinner lady attempted to swap her lunch for a jacket potato again . "DD you're fish , x you're jacket potato " but then she put the jacket potato in front of DD and gave the fish to x. DD pointed out that she should be fish fingers and the dinner lady said so too, so the dinner lady said x doesn't like the jacket potato so they're swapping meals.

DD is normally very quiet and polite but this time she stood up to herself and said she doesn't like jacket either and can she have her fish? In the end she did get the right meal, but it did bother me that she was just expected to swap or that she has to insist (which goes against her nature) to get the lunch I ordered and paid for.

Should I mention it to the teacher /send an email so they can figure out what is going on and make sure it doesn't happen again?

@Maireas

What school canteen is providing hot meals at the moment?

Well lots, OP's in particular. Why does it matter? Are you compiling a list?

If I'd ordered a meal for my child, I expect them to be served that meal and not have theirs given to another. I wouldn't have even asked here, I'd have already contacted the school!!

@smoothchange - please look at my updates, 8.15 and 8.26 because it's derailing this person's thread.
Yes, I would like to compile a list to present to my Trust management. DM only, from now, thanks.

@Maireas

If it's causing such problems you could always ask MNHQ to delete the comment. It's one of the first things people see and clearly makes people reactive.

IME whenever there are issues around mid-day assistants showing favouritism - extra or preferred lunch or different behavioural expectations- it's because they're related to, or know some children outside of work. No problem letting it be known that you're looking out for your child too.

I'd do a quick email Op

@Maireas

What school canteen is providing hot meals at the moment?

Ours is. And bacon butties at break.

I have emailed the office and explained what happened . They'll might think it's a saga as well, but I wanted to make sure they understand the second time at least it wasn't a mistake or DD wanted to swap or whatever excuse.

She barely eats and is fussy enough without people making a fuss over it.

Thank you for all the replies.

@cansu

If the other child was allergic to fish fingers and the dinner lady swapped their plates without checking, then that it a health and safety issue. Allergic reactions can be very serious. Maybe it sounds hysterical to you but in schools it is something we take very seriously. And young children don't always have good knowledge or control over their allergies and may not say anything.

@AccidentallyOnPurpose

It isn't a saga. Your DD is entitled to eat the meal that she chose, and not to be made to go hungry because another child's wants/needs are being put first.

They are completely not allowed to give children food that they have not ordered!!
What if she was allergic to anything??
We have issues at school with certain bits of meals being missing to there not being enough, we are categorically NOT allowed to feed them other things without parental permission!

Don't tell the teacher, they have no input on this, but do email the office.