Child care provider - Grapes

[Lemonteased]

My daughter (4 nearly 5), in reception, attends an after school club twice a week.

I found out from my daughter that she has grapes, fine, but she mentioned taking them off the bunch and eating them. I asked if anyone cuts them up first and she said no.

I questioned it with the child care provider (most communication is via text), she said they do give them whole grapes, I asked for my daughters to be cut up because they are a notorious choking hazard (I work in child health). She said no problem, job done.

A week later, she’s given whole grapes again. I ask about it and am told it was a new member of staff, they apologised and that was that.

Just been told that she’s had them again but that she had to ask for them to be cut up, they were given whole. Honestly I’m now pissed off, I think it’s an issue they are providing child care and not cutting the grapes up just as a normal safety standard. All other providers I’ve come across do this.

I asked a couple of other parents, who happen not to use this provider, they said they would also be annoyed and would never give their children whole grapes. I don’t know any of the parents that do use the provider as we all collect at different times.

Just for info they are on the school site but not run by the school at all, are ofsted registered, etc.

Ive now asked to meet with them face to face but before I do…….

Am I being precious??

I thought grapes were supposed to be cut up until a child is 5. Your child is 4...

Also, an interesting article here: adc.bmj.com/content/102/5/473

(I'll probably cut my sons' grapes well beyond then though).

I'd be really hacked off about that, especially as you've spoken to them multiple times.

I'd complain in writing and make it clear you expect a response in writing. Places tend to take things more seriously when they have to keep a record of them.

I have to say though - I'd likely be looking for a new place if your trust is gone. It's so, so important.

I work in childcare and we don't ever serve grapes just because we feel it's safer and easier that way.
I think I'm too paranoid about it though. I make my teenagers slice their grapes before eating them.
YANBU. As a childcare provider it shouldn't have even happened once let alone 3 times.

I work in childcare and we don't ever serve grapes just because we feel it's safer and easier that way. I think this is sad and we shouldn’t be teaching our children to be this risk averse.

13 and 15?!?

@mycatisannoying I know I just can't get out of the habit. They do eat them while at school etc.

I am looking for a new child care setting currently and am going to have a look at one next week.

I will still be speaking to the manager, I spoke to the school but they basically just rent the building and school have nothing to done with the running. School were very understanding and helpful though. Suggested I pack my daughter some food. My meeting with the manager is also next week. I want to know what else they are serving, I’ve read that grapes are actually in the top 3 with sweets and sausages! I do wonder if they’ve not had more complaints because other parents just don’t know.

I will then follow up on writing ,I think that is a good idea, thanks

@Icannoteven it seems overwhelmingly I am not being unreasonable. My daughter is only a year older than this and they are all different shapes and sizes. In addition there’s the fact they said they would cut them up and/or take them off the menu, but then just didn’t.

Oh school also said they themselves don’t serve grapes for this reason

I must admit I find the whole cutting grapes thing a bit weird - I taught my kids to bite them at a young age. After all, sausages are an equally big choking hazard and we give those to children.

This is basic information for any childcare setting surely. As an ex nursery nurse this was taught from day one!any choking hazard is potentially too dangerous to ignore

I am very paranoid about grapes after being involved when I worked for the emergency services in the case of a little boy who choked on a whole grape at an after school club and died. This would be a non-negotiable for me. So easily avoided.

Nope you’re completely right. Once, my daughter when she was 5 stayed with my mum, she made her lunch and did school run. I asked later that morning what she had put in for her Lunch, she said grapes… I said you cut them up yeah? She said erm no? I quickly rang the school told them to find her lunch box and take them out!

@dottiedodah that makes no sense. After age 3 children are routinely surrounded by all sorts of things, food and otherwise, which are choking hazards.

I'm not saying nurseries shouldn't cut up grapes. But when schools are banning them yet will give other, equally chokable foods, you have to question the logic.

@Untitledsquatboulder I actually cut sausage lengthways down the middle. I wouldn’t say most food are as equally risky as grapes, there’s probably a top few, but grapes are so notorious.

I never have cut up grapes for my now teenager. I tell her to sit quietly and remember to chew her food properly.

But that aside, if OP has made a request, I expect the childcare provider to abide by it.

They do not serve grapes at my childrens nursery regardless of age for this reason

I would remove her

Pathetic

UntitledSquatBoulder I think Grapes are such a massive choking hazard though.Something about their size and texture as well I think .Very rubbery skin and almost the exact size to get stuck sadly.Yes of course there are many other hazards as well including Sausages ,which very sadly a little boy in a holiday camp choked on and couldnt be revived.

I think the grape thing is a bit of a modern myth. Anyone can choke on any food if they don't chew properly. The biggest way to keep them safe is make them sit down while eating and avoid being distracted.

Oh I agree grapes are a particular hazard but equally I do think they are treated as more dangerous than equally high risk foods - blueberries, sausages, sweets.

This. What age are you going to stop otherwise? 15? 25?

Fair enough if there is a SEN issue or your child is gannet but surely we should be teaching kids not to bolt food and to chew properly or not to throw grapes/crisps/sweets in the air to catch in their mouths either

In theory, all children over the age of 5 should be okay to eat whole grapes.

The OP's daughter is under 5...

I think the grape thing is a bit of a modern myth
You have got to be kidding.

*I work in childcare and we don't ever serve grapes just because we feel it's safer and easier that way.

I think this is sad and we shouldn’t be teaching our children to be this risk averse.*

Eh? This isn't just taking a risk with a new idea for homework or something. This is about the safety of a 4 year old, and following the official guidance on this (which is to cut up grapes until at least 5)! Why on earth would you ignore that?

@SnackSizeRaisin its literally in medical journals www.bmj.com/content/355/bmj.i6831