Jam sandwiches at wraparound care

[JBeanGarden]

My reception age DD goes to a really well arranged breakfast club and after school club 4 days a week. It works very well with 2 commuting parents. I only have one gripe and that is with the food they offer. Technically the food should align with the school’s healthy eating policy, as it’s run by the school not an external provider. The school has asked parents not to provide sweet treats in lunch boxes and it’s quite strict about sandwiches.

HOWEVER the school is not transparent about the wraparound food offer and I had to email three times to get them to tell me what they provide. Once they did, they disclosed that the after school options include a range of sandwiches, including jam, plus a pudding of cake and fruit. Of course, my four-year-old always goes for a jam sandwich and ends up with a very sweet tea 4 days a week. The school says they offer carrot sticks etc, however, not one single parent has ever mentioned this in conversation and so I just think it’s something they say but don’t provide.

We do talk at home about the importance of a balanced diet, but she’s still only four and temptation is there! She’s offered something a bit more nutritionally balanced she gets home, but she’s usually just full of jam sandwich!

I emailed the school to ask them if they are able to comment on this or if they ever review the food that they provide at wraparound care, but I haven’t received a reply. AIBU to push this further?

Do you pay much?

Usually wrap around run by a school is on a shoe string budget by the time they paid their staff and other bills

Why not just make sure she has a really good teeth cleaning regime.

A proper flounce OP

You are being unreasonable for using the phrase ‘wraparound care’.
Somewhat unreasonably, i bloody hate it.

Bread & Jam (made from fruit!) was probably the staple of most families in the 1930s & 40s.

I think she will survive.

I love a jam sandwich.

I once heard a nutritionist/dietician, whatever they were say: jam on a couple of slices of bread is good for this, that, and the other.

So, a jam sandwich, then, mate?

I wouldn't be happy with this either. I feel like I can never enjoy something sweet at home with my children because every playgroup or relative is giving them out. Jam sandwich and cakes arent healthy options for a school to provide in a society where 1 in 3 children are overweight.

Now you’re just going too far..

Good grief - generations of children grew up into healthy adults having eaten jam sandwiches for tea! It was always the most common sandwich when I went to tea with any of my friends as a young child. I think you’re overreacting massively.

Never??

OP, of course you're not being unreasonable. The school conceal what they offer at the after-school club because they know it's inadequate and will disappoint parents. I would be really annoyed too. The attitude here that you shouldn't complain and should be grateful for what you're given is bizarre.

Pre-schoolers should not be eating jam or cake before bed: www.nhs.uk/baby/weaning-and-feeding/what-to-feed-young-children/

Jam with no added sugar is still processed in such a way that the high sugar content is much more harmful than in fresh fruit. Plus some "sugar-free" jam contains artificial sweeteners.

Refer the school to the NHS page and encourage them to withdraw the jam and cake, and replace these with healthy snacks.

I think it might be an English thing - my daughters private school offers jam and toast for after school

Have you got some money set aside for therapy when she's older? For the eating disorder you're inevitably going to give her?

Vegetarian children know not to take a ham sandwich, why don’t you just tell your DD she’s not allowed a jam sandwich, and to take something else? You’re looking for it to be removed from all children, to suit you. Teach your DD, if you’re so bothered.

and when the after school club no longer exists because they can't keep up with the costs of healthy snacks? Or they increase the cost and parents moan about that too?

Unfortunately the health statistics would beg to differ.

If you think you're getting any noticeable amount of any of those things in a "thin spread" of marmite then you're bonkers. quite frankly.

I highly doubt OP’s child is eating the jam sandwich then immediately going to bed. There will be hours between eating and bed time. She could be told to select cheese instead however that’s more likely to make her full than the teaspoon of jam and a cheese sandwich is an inadequate evening meal. Mine were always starving after school though so I’m surprised an after school sandwich is interfering with mealtimes later on as claimed. She can’t possibly be full up on jam though. It’s a small amount of practically liquid!

Maybe best sending her in with a packed lunch . Your suggestion of a ham sandwich would not be any healthier ham is processed meat

I'm actually surprised at most of these comments, I wouldn't be happy either. My son is prone to tooth decay, I'd be a bit pissed if they were offering stuff high in sugar, it's hard enough when they get addicted to that processed crap as well and won't eat proper meals when they get home.
Assuming you are paying for it they should be following the guidelines for healthy meals in schools (although we know most of the time they don't anyway).

Just tell the school that you'd rather she was offered cheese or ham moving forward. You no longer want her having jam.

As someone who runs a wraparound care scheme with 60+ children attending some sessions, I feel some of the replies are abit harsh.

Our afternoon snack is a slice of wholemeal bread with margarine, various fruit and veg cut up and only water. We haven't served squash even for years. Its not fancy or varied but it works for many children with a variety of allergies.

We do sometimes get parents ask for other options but this work best for everyone. Its not exciting but its an afternoon snack without added sugar.

This is exactly what parents who use excessive child care focus on. Rather than time with their child and the importance of that they focus on food. Always the same!

Sorry but that sounds pretty miserable. Bread with margarine, how many kids even eat that. I’d far rather the jam tbh. Nothing healthy about marg. At least serve butter 😬

Ham is worse than jam in my eyes.