To expect my children not to be given cereal and jam on toast for tea at (£15) after school club?

[Mallowmarshmallow]

My children have come home this week saying the above was all that was on offer at the after school club they attend.

AIBU for suggesting to them that this is not an appropriate tea for children. 'A light tea' is apparently offered during the session.

Does anyone know of any government guidance for healthy eating in childcare settings? I can only find early years guidance in my searches.

For full information, the after school club is local to, but not run by, the school the children attend. It is the only local option available which works with their school.

You’re expecting too much. A light tea is just an after school snack. It’s not a proper evening meal.

This was typical for my daughter, although fruit and yoghurt was also available generally it’s a snack, it feels like you want them to have dinner.

Speak to the club and find out what’s going on.

It could be an issue (they may not have the same kitchen access atm if they’re hiring a space) or it could be that they are just the things your child is opting for.

Sounds standard, isn't it supposed to be an afternoon snack until the kids go home and have diner there?

What time is it served?

I would find it very odd if my kids had to eat a potato or stew at 5pm!

@LigPatin

Is this £15 per child per day? I had no idea these things were so expensive

Assuming a regulated after school club then this isn't crazy money. I'm in Scotland so rules will vary a bit, but here the governing rules are basically the same as they are for nurseries. Managers have to obtain a degree level qualification, all other staff have to work towards qualification, minimum staff ratios of 1:8 or 1:10 depending on session length, space requirements, regular inspections, insurance, expensive rents in many cases. It's not cheap to operate.

That said, here jam on toast wouldn't be an acceptable snack as it wouldn't meet the guidance. And it's certainly not a light tea.

I’m feeling jealous! I pay £10 for son’s afterschool club and he gets a biscuit and a piece of fruit! If I can’t pick him up until 6 I send him in with a packed tea.

I think maybe it's the change that's the issue? The offering seems pretty normal to me, but it would be annoying if I was used to them having something more substantial and then it was reduced as the OP describes. You need to be able to plan what to feed your child, and you can't do that if the childcare provider keeps changing their offering without informing you.

I think the confusion is because some people use tea to mean the main meal of the evening so have different expectations.

Tea means afternoon tea/high tea to me. A light tea would be something plain and simple like toast or a crumpet and some fruit. I would have expected something like that, the type of afterschool snack I gave my DC when they were in primary school.

If they had said it was a light dinner/supper, I would have expected something like beans on toast or a jacket potato or bread and soup. So I can see why you are disappointed if you call your main meal tea.

I think giving a snack rather than a meal is the norm for afterschool clubs.

YABU

due to covid, DD has been getting two pieces of fruit and a babybel or cheesstring thing.

Usually they would have beans and toast or something.

and it costs more than £15.

I don't think jam or anything else on toast is bad for tea, cereal seems odd but I daresay some children like that; it is a snack meal before having a main meal at home, but would strongly object to paying £15 for it. That is extortionate!

They can;t cook stew at after school club! It's not a bloody B&B!

You're being very over fussy. Get a childminder if you want a home-type experience.

To add: However If you are paying £15 on top of the club fee to cover the "extra" (the food), I agree it's too expensive.

How long are they at the after school club for? If it's 1 hour it's expensive. If it's 3 hours it's a bargain.

Most clubs serve enough to stop the children being hungry but most would expect further food be served at home after they've been collected.

What does the £15 cover? If as PPs have said this is childcare from end of school to anytime up to 6pm, then wouldn’t expect v much re the food.

That said, wouldn’t describe jam on toast most days as a ‘light tea’.

Our school just provides biscuits or crisps, piece of fruit and box of juice. (But doesn’t advertise this as anything other than a snack).

That's just a snack surely? Light tea is the wrong description. Mine get sourdough bread/toast and fruit.

I don't know of any guidance be it from government or anyone else about food at after school clubs.

Whether what is on offer is too much would depend on the length of the after school club, and in my opinion what the cereal was (no coco pops for example) and if the toast was real bread or white pap.

Yes, our club is a bit more expensive, but also serves crackers/ toast with jam and a piece of fruit for the snack.
I actually don't mind that much, as they are actually then hungry at home time and manage to eat a healthy supper at home. I would prefer it was something less sugary though.

If it was once a week I would leave it but I wouldn’t want my child having jam and sugary cereal before dinner. Why not some chopped up veg, peanut butter on wholemeal toast etc?

I know because of the restrictions due to covid our school canteen is not allowed to operate as normal. Even 'hot lunches' are basically jacket potato + filling or pasta served in takeaway boxes, pre-ordered and eaten in the classrooms rather than the canteen itself.

The before/after school clubs are not currently permitted to access the canteen so they are making do with a toaster and small fridge for milk...very much a toast or cereal set up.

Given this is a recent change in their offering just ask why and when normal food service will resume. At least that'll give you an indication of whether this is still a worthwhile childcare option for you then.

You're not going to have stew for tea anyway. Lunch time maybe, or at home in the evening for dinner.

I think £15 is a lot of money for a bit of toast with jam and cereal at tea time. The profit margin is far too high.

I just looked at a tea shop menu and you can get a 'cream tea': 2 scones with jam and a pot of tea, for £4.95.

I think £15 for one child is extortionate to be honest (I thought £12 that one primary school near us was charging was bad) but the content of the "light tea" seems on par with the other wrap around care I know of. I can't say I think it's healthy, nutritious or even adequate, but it is definitely normal for the setting. We are given an alternative of proving a packed tea if we wish, but it doesn't reduce the cost, and kids can eat their own tea along with the snack provided, not instead of.

Why not some chopped up veg, peanut butter on wholemeal toast etc?

peanut butter is banned from pretty much everywhere due the very high allergy risk.

I am not sure about reality of the staff having to feed children with chopped up vegs

@JustLyra

Speak to the club and find out what’s going on.

It could be an issue (they may not have the same kitchen access atm if they’re hiring a space) or it could be that they are just the things your child is opting for.

This. I think YABU in slating the after school club before you've found out that the reason is. Toast & jam isn't brilliant, but if your children are eating healthily for the rest of the day, its not the end of the world. It's certainly not something I'd be falling out with the club about.

Why not some chopped up veg, peanut butter on wholemeal toast etc?

Allergies, ease, cost, waste.