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?

Jesus wept. It’s a jam sandwich, not a crack pipe. Haven’t you got anything more pressing to worry about?!

This is odd. Your children get something at the after school club and then 'supper' on returning home, which you don't seem to regard as a meal - bowl of cereal? What are they getting at the ASC and what are you paying for it?

Artificial sweeteners are far worse for your health than sugar. Also sugar free jam is revolting.
Far better to give real jam, but in moderation.

The lower sugar jams are even worse. 2.5% fruit sugar and 60% polyols. My DH’s diabetic nurse told us to stay away from them and anything labelled ‘diabetic’ because they’re full of these polyols which are basically calorie loaded artificial sweeteners designed not to raise blood sugar. They can have several unwanted effects, some of which are cumulative, like digestive disorders and diarrhoea. Fruit spread like St Dalfour’ or even some marmalades, in lesser quantities are a better option as they are sweetened with fruit sugars.

They get porridge or soup. Is it odd? They aren't home til after 6. I pay £8 a day for ASC. You're acting like I've said the weirdest thing 😂

That's actually really interesting. My dad lives with us and is type 1 which is why we get it. I've never been to his appointments with him but I'm surprised he hasn't been told. I knew about the polyols but didn't really think actual Jam would be better for him.
Thankyou, going to talk to him about it and do some research xx

Yep. I answered this upthread. Diabetic products like these are full of polyols instead of natural sugars - they’re sweeteners designed not to raise blood sugar but they still provide calories. They have all kinds of adverse effects, including acting as laxatives and our diabetic nurse not only advised DH, who is diabetic, not to eat them, but also told me that they are absolutely not recommended for non diabetics. Fruit spreads which use natural fruit sugars to sweeten, or marmalades, are a better option in smaller quantities.

£8 a day. How many hours does that £8 cover?

I have five kids , eldest is 23 now . I remember getting absolutely entrenched in a ‘row’ about my first child’s Montessori giving the kids a digestive biscuit every day . I look back on this with embarrassment !

3.30-5.55

It does seem odd to me. The only food you're preparing for them all day is a bowl of soup or porridge. I can't imagine they're getting all that much in the way of vegetables, for a start. Not a lot of time to talk, either.

Brave saying that on MN! I do agree though.

Oh I see yes, you're criticising my working hours . I thought we were discussing food.
Yes I agree, it's difficult. But I'm a teacher so I do get the holidays off with them.

Quite right OP. FWIW I agree with you pretty much

That's £3 per hour. Jakers. Minimum wage is £12.21 an hour. So you're paid say £24.42 for two hours and pay £8. Can you see the math imbalance.

Jam is full of sugar so I wouldn't be happy with this at all. Do they also use white bread? They're are many, many alternative healthier options so I would ask that they provide a healthier alternative

Sending hugs. You’re brave to admit that, OP’s probably hyperventalating.

Yes, what do you want me to do? I'm not complaining about them 😂

This as well. Artificial sweeteners are also extremely unhealthy. Why can't they just provide decent, healthy food. It's not hard and I agree with OP, we have an extremely unhealthy attitude to food in the UK.

Sugar and additives are not good for anyone, let alone children and we have a v low bar in this country when it comes to proper nutrition

Unless the commenter’s DC is fed Greggs pizza 4 days a week at their wraparound childcare, this is irrelevant to OP’s thread.

I'm not having a dig. It's the system that is crackers. I worked for zero in the school holidays to pay someone to care for my two it meant I got to hang onto my job.

After school clubs at £8 a session are not sustainable IMO.

Only child?

God, I wish I had the time to over-involve myself with stuff like this!

They won't be able to afford to, in all probability.

Well what do you think they should provide? Remember limited budgets, limited prep time available, limited kitchen acccess, catering to allergies/@specific diets.

There was an experiment done years ago which basically left small
children with a table full of various foods - veg, fruit, sweets, crisps etc
There weren’t any adults the children could see (they were being watched via camera but the kids didn’t know that). They all chose a variety of food and didn’t just fill up on sweets.

Give kids some credit.

Most won’t just eat sweets as (likely from experience!) they know the sweets won’t fill them up and lots would make them ill.