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?

I completely agree with you. Jam is nutritionally low, full of sugar and setting the child up to expect sweet foods and eat them as the norm. I would not allow my kids to ever eat jam apart from a one off party they might attend. Would not be happy them eating it 4 days a week. If you talked to any dentist they would also agree.
I think you are completely within your right to push this forward and complain.

My children were in asc and how much they charge im sure they can do better options of food,
working parents get penalised at every chance it’s so unfair! At least provide something healthier or better than straight sugar on bread which is also sugar I don’t see the problem in asking or enquiring

The food at our wraparound is also dire at times, breakfast especially although after school is also variable. I have learnt to just ignore it. What infuriates me is that it is so inconsistent at ours. One day it is popcorn, the next scrambled egg on toast with no advanced notice so it makes planning dinner difficult.

Send her in with a packed tea.
She is 4.
she probably has jam on her toast when she is in breakfast club...

Do not expect the staff to force her to eat a ham or cheese sandwich.

As a child of the seventies, I ate lemon curd sandwiches a lot as a child.
Do I do that now? No.
It’s just a snack - yes it’s better if she chose the ham or cheese. But she isn’t going to be affected by this.
I am a slim nearly 50 year old and don’t really have a sweet tooth.
I ate a lot of processed food - meat paste, fish paste etc.
I don’t now.
Try not to stress.
My two children don’t always eat what I want but taste evolves over time.

Lmao so if it was a cheese sandwich she wouldn't be "full from all the cheese"? It's not meant to be tea, it's meant to be a snack.

I agree. I’m a childminder and I have never offered a jam sandwich once. Ham, cheese, breadsticks with cream cheese, even a banana sandwich is more nutritious. This is lazy.

The OP's child is being offered ham and cheese. She just doesn't want them.

Ham is a group 1 carcenogen. You'd rather your 4 year old eat that than jam!?!?

Exactly this. I grew up on Findus crispy pancakes, tinned bolognaise and all sorts of processed crap that is frowned on now. I rarely eat anything like that now because my palate has matured.

Making food taboo makes them desirable. The more you try to prevent kids eating them, the more they will want them once they have control of their own diet.

The saddest thing about this post is that your child goes to breakfast AND afterschool club 4x a week

They shouldn’t be offering jam sandwiches at all. As I said breadsticks with cream cheese would be a good alternative. Or maybe a jam sandwich once a week as a treat.

What about kids who are vegan or have a dairy allergy?

And that is just a rude and unnecessary criticism of working parents. Plenty of people have to do this in order to keep everything juggling. Mine were in the same 5 days a weeks. Get over it.

You do realise some people have no alternative.

As a chef/cook for most of my life, full/ part time, restaurants , cafes, bars , we follow the rule - we are here to feed you - not fatten you

So we portion control and we offer dishes for all tastes

We dont break your arm making you choose our most calorific food

We ( if the place in question dictates ) usually offer children's menu where there are mixes and matches, nuggets, pasta. fish or even half portions of adult choices where we can

We expect an adult to be making their childs choices , as they are there

What you are asking is the impossible. Your child is being offered a choice and your child is choosing what you think is the worse option ( its not ) its no reflection on you as a parent, she's a child, she likes jam

I get that now she's full before dinner and so doesn't want the foods you would prefer her to fill up on

I would say - two options. Send a wee snack box - but she may still ditch that and go for the jam and also learn how to pull the wool a bit earlier then you want , or cook dinner a bit later

Food on a wrap around is going to be as little as 30p per child. The ham, cheese , and carrot sticks are not going to be the best quality and in fact the jam may possibly be

We all want the best for our children, we all think we have the best diets ever and we get fixed on thinking its our way or the highway but as adults , as we age, we get to understand there are bigger battles. There will be times moving forward now - kids parties - full of pop and cake and not a carrot stick to be seen , - will you stop her from going ??

No - you may think that, but this is not what I wrote or what I think.

Low funds don't necessitate jam, they are going for a quick and easy option here. I'd rather provide food for my child and pay less if such an option exists, so yes, worth having a conversation.

What else do you suggest as an option for vegan children/those with dairy allergy?

Ofcourse you need sugar ...
Not added sugar but they need sugar
Like that in jam 🤣

Honestly this is the most middle class binty crap

Obviously if I have kids who have dietary requirements then I cater to them. Also I don’t offer ham more than once a week.

This is one way of catering to them. The issue, then, is what exactly?

What are you talking about?

Why are you asking me that question? Ask the wraparound setting or BYO for special dietary requirements. Jam isn't necessary or recommended on a daily basis for any child.

I would educate your child to maybe only eat say fruit that is on offer or a sandwich no cake. They should be having something different daily like wraps with veg sticks, houmous, cous cous. Maybe ask other parents to email and ask to change the menu.