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?

My cat's an amorphous solid!

Chia seed jam sounds like the most miserable thing anyone has every put in their mouth.

Please explain how a light grating of Cheddar cheese is less healthy than jam.

Am amazed I made it through the night, btw, as I had a ham roll for lunch yesterday. Thoughts and prayers, please.

Isn't that rice cakes? Back in the 90s they were the snack of choice for some health-conscious families in our area. I succumbed to peer pressure and bought some. Like eating a polystyrene ceiling tile. Never again.

I doubt it is cheddar cheese though, it's much more likely to be a processed option.

Not that I have very strong opinions on whether a cheese sandwich is healthier than jam, personally.

Rice cakes dipped in water are a once a year treat here...delicious 😋

High in saturated fat and salt. Also not great for those allergic to dairy.

tiny bit of protein certainly but if a tiny bit of cheese makes no difference, I’m not sure why a tiny bit of jam is the end of days

I expect you've worked up an appetite for this feast by fasting for the other 364 days. Only safe option, really.

I would be absolutely furious at this OP and I would keep phoning to make sure they provide something healthy for my child!

Ordinary cheese is surely cheaper than the processed type. I suggested grated cheese as it makes it go a lot further. Growing children need energy. Energy comes from sugar and fat. They also need protein and calcium, amongst other things. Bread with a scraping of spread (butter will be too expensive) and a scraping of jam, a wafer thin slice of ham or a teaspoonful of grated cheese seems like a decent snack to me to keep the children going till a proper meal in the evening. A tiny sandwich like that would not have prevented my children from eating their evening meal.

Being furious about something so low level really isn't good for your health.

They are providing something healthy. The OP's child is not choosing the healthy option.

Yeah but extra prep compared to easy singles.

Ultimately I have no idea what they offer 😂

Can’t believe there are so many pages about jam sandwiches!

And the melodramatic posts about English children and obesity 😂

Previous generations seem to have survived eating things like jam sandwiches daily - and I agree it’s much better that UPF which includes ham. It’s the UPF that’s causing some children to look “inflated” and the huge rise in obesity.

It’s not something we ever have at home but I can’t see it being a huge problem if all the rest of her diet is balanced.

My kids go to breakfast club, I give them breakfast before they go but they usually have jam and toast as well at breakfast club. It’s not a big deal to me personally. It’s a nice little sweet treat while they are at school. I find schools are regimental enough without people going all Jamie Oliver to remove the nice things they have left

The queen was born in 1936. Thats basically 100 years ago. She lived in a different world.

You're right there. It reminds me of the Healthy Schools Initiative when parents were up in arms because schools were told to stop serving crap to children. The after school club should have a food policy.
To overcome your situation atm I'd agree with your DC that she can have a jam sandwich once a week.

School Years are a long slog!! Some things you have to let go…. Just tell AS club not to feed her then or provide a packed dinner? If you were that bothered, you would arrange your work pattern so that one of you is doing school pick ups! Breakfast club AND after school clubs 4DAYS a week is a lot for a 4 yr old. My girls school we weren’t allowed to use after school club till yr 1!! As they said it’s too much for 4/5yr olds to cope with!

It seems a poor offering. I'd expect toddler group type snacks. Rice cakes, mini bread sticks, fruit, carrot sticks, cheese cubes. With the occasional offering of toast with jam or chocolate spread.

I used to go to Breakfast Club at Secondary School (it was for students who got there early!) It was the cheapest of white bread as toast with cheap jam. Sometimes there was cereal. The alleged bacon/sausage/egg or porridge options happened about once a term!

I’m the parent of a younger child who worries about the jam and attachment. I wonder how my child will fare 🤔

Attachment first, jam second - they’ll be
fine.

But some of the children in that ASC might be nearly 8. A couple of breadsticks and a cheese cube is not going to help.

Plus the prep involved in cutting up cheese/carrots.

How is attending breakfast & afterschool club any different to a child under school age attending nursery for a full day? Yes smaller ones at nursery will nap but from age 3+ most won't

Some parents need full wrap around care and there is no shame in that.

Nice story babes, still cringing.

It's a snack, not a meal and I'm guessing that they offer jam sandwiches because children with any dietary restrictions can probably eat it - vegan, nut-free, vegetarian, halal etc. If your children are having a proper supper later I don't see why this is real problem.