Aibu to be cross at nursery for banning birthday cake (not covid/allergy related)

[Crystalann]

Today we received this message from my son's nursery

^*We are promoting healthy eating within the nursery therefore unfortunately we are no longer able to accept birthday cakes being brought in for celebrations, we will still be celebrating with the children with banners, singing happy birthday and presenting them with a handmade birthday card from their class. 🥳

We are duty bound to follow the revised EYFS where changes place a great emphasis on promoting nutrition, healthy eating and oral health for all children under the age of 5 years.*^

To my knowledge, the EYFS makes no mention at all of any specific food.

Recently, when it was DS birthday and we sent cake in it had to be factory sealed still and shop bought (for hygiene) and they weren’t allowed to blow candles out (because of Covid) but staff would cut and share it with the children who were allergy safe to have it, with anyone not allowed being given an alternative snack.

This new “rule” is simply because they’ve decided to teach our kids birthday cake is bad for us, unhealthy and shouldn’t be allowed and this is what is making me cross!

I believe every food can be healthy, in an acceptable moderation, as part of a balanced diet.

@DroopyClematis

Maybe the nursery is trying to achieve the 'Healthy Eating ' status that many childcare providers/schools are looking to achieve.

Hence, schools saying no to sweets being dished out on children's birthdays.

Our nursery has this status and they get cake and custard every Friday, birthday cake is allowed and they bake scones/ biscuits/ cakes with the kids.

@worriedatthemoment

This is mumsnet cake is bad very bad as is all sugar for children they cannot be taught moderation and the parents can't handle the tamtrums of saying no to there kids

Don’t be an idiot. It’s an ofsted requirement. Ofsted is really clamping down hard on healthy eating and dental health - many nurseries have banned sweet puddings altogether and only provide fruit / cheese / plain yoghurt.

We've done the same at my school starting just before Christmas. I'm glad...in my class it was getting ridiculous...one week I had twins with two lots of sweets (they both brought in big bags to hand out) and two other children with birthdays and cupcakes...with no labels!!!!!...so 4 lots in one week! It's not only a lot of sugar I'm handing out, it's a lot of fussing and 'I don't like that sort...is it dairy free? Check the label for nuts! Where's the allergy list?? Put these in Xxx's tray because she's off!'

Honestly...it's a nightmare! You've only got one cake to pop in a bag...the teacher has to check EVERY ASPECT of handing out EVERY ITEM to make sure it doesn't kill someone 🤦‍♀️ And that's not even an exaggeration 😱

I think it’s reasonable. Why do they need cake to celebrate anyway? Most kids if not all will have already had cake at home, and if they can’t blow out candles etc seems pretty pointless anyway. Also not fair on the kids whose parents might not want them having cake, all very well saying people bring in alternatives but poor Jimmy might not be happy eating his banana when his classmates are tucking into chocolate cake. Save the cake for at home & parties

@sploshsplash

"Avoid sweet foods such as cakes, biscuits and confectionery between meals."

Can I just quote the 'between meals' part,
There's no harm in a child sized piece of cake given with their Nursery/school meal to celebrate their friends birthday. It's a normal thing to do. Don't demonise it.

Unfortunately, that quote is from the 2017 guidance (the first document I linked).

The second guidance, from 2021, is stricter because it addresses oral hygiene as well as obesity. It says that biscuits, sugar and cakes should be avoided for children up to the age of 5.

Right now, Ofsted are prioritising oral hygiene during inspections and settings are expected to show how they promote good dental health in the children.
That's probably why the nursery's policy has now been revised.

I’m with the nursery, throw a party if you want to have a birthday cake. I want my kids eating nursery food at nursery not birthday cake every other week. They get plenty of birthday cake with family/friends throughout the year.

No, that's a great policy. I get so annoyed with our nursery talking about oral health and then giving out cake or sweets every day because it's some kid's birthday.