To worry about this DC

[Meer77]

I have started a lunch cover job in a nursery in the last few weeks. I’m not qualified in childcare, I’m a parent myself and this is a school hour job that works well for the moment and I’m happy to be working with children, so this is a genuine question.

The child brings pack lunches, but sometimes has nursery milk. I went to pour him some at snack time and they said he can’t have it as mum is behind on paying. He really wanted some milk and I felt bad.

From the days he has been in, he has consistently had very out of best before food, for example 5 months out crisps, he didn’t eat them as they must have tasted stale and he looked disappointed. Another example, a very very black and mushy banana which again wasn’t edible. And other things too which he hasn’t eaten and have been months out from best before . No one else seems to have noticed or said anything. Would you report this to management, I feel worried about him as he’s going hungry. Btw, I’m not judging.

Personally, I would give him the milk.

I would also report this higher up.

Id give him the milk even if i had to pay for a couple of days. And id flag it higher- is he not eligible for free school meals?

Poor kid I think I’d have to say something to someone higher. Sounds like the family are struggling. Can’t imagine denying a small child milk, very Maggie Thatcher of the school.

Give him the milk and report your concerns to your Dedicated Safeguarding Lead

Sorry should have put, it’s a private day nursery, not school

I just meant it’s school hours so works around my dc at their school

I would absolutely report it to management, it’s a safeguarding concern. And I’d be giving the poor child some milk!

I’d certainly refer it upwards. Safeguarding leads should keep things strictly confidential and it’s much better to build a picture that may need looking into now or further down the line than something escalating and nobody having known.

Private nursery should still have safeguarding lead and a manager

Is the child's whole pack lunch inedible? Or an item every lunch time?

What a shitty nursery to not allow a child a glass of milk. I would definitely let your manager know. This is a safeguarding issue.

This has really upset me that the wee tooter was demied a glass of milk. Who gives a fuck whether shes paid or not, its a small child wanting milk. Awful

theres a couple of things he can have, but only snack bar type things, either one or two which are out of date and there is never much in his pack lunch anyway, even if it was in date. And it’s supposed to last him until tea time

A child being regularly sent with an inadequate lunch needs to be discussed with your safeguarding lead asap. Is he a healthy weight?

Def say to management. They might be able to help the family with a referral if needed

Is this in the UK? I would have thought that either the parents are so behind on fees that the child wouldn't be allowed in at all until they've caught up, or they would give the milk. It's absolutely cruel to single them out that way.

Yes, I would raise with the management that you have concerns about the food he's being sent with.

Yes, it upset me. I could tell he really wanted some and was pointing and they just said no he can’t have it because mums behind on the charges

I agree with @TheGrimSmileit’s horrible of the nursery not to allow a small child a glass of milk.
I would find that very hard OP. I don’t know how you’re fixed financially and it’s probably against some rule somewhere but I’d be taking a little something in for him every day. Just a chocolate biscuit or something.

I would absolutely tell the manager and ask a few days later what she has actioned.

Uncaring, nasty fucks (not you)

In England and Wales under fives should be getting their milk for free anyway.

Yes, you should report your concerns and I would have given him the milk.

Genuinely confused how this is even a post? Or question? Or comment?

I would be walking in tomorrow with 4 pints of milk. I would also have been raising concerns the FIRST time I had seen he did not have an edible lunch.

Safeguarding is everyone’s duty - and I thought common sense.

Oh and to add further to my confusion at this even being a post, all children under 5 are entitled to milk and charges are only voluntary….

wwc.barnet.gov.uk/free-milk-early-years-settings

I've just been listening to the podcast on Constance Martin and thinking how awful some kids have it and then read this with this poor child going hungry. It's really shocking.

@Proudestmumofone1YOU are the reason people talk themselves out of posting.

Don’t Be so sanctimonious.

OP you have EVERY right to ask the question. It’s a new job, the staff sound horrible (refusing the child milk in the first place) and you’re finding your feet.

This. Can’t believe the nitrate won’t let him have some milk! What’s wrong with people?!

I mean how the nursery can be saying he isn’t entitled to milk? As in THE nursery have a duty to him, with everyone’s comments (like the poster wanting to give him milk) feeding in to their process? As milk is free for ALL children,,, ie how can they be charging?