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 would not be happy with DD getting a jam sandwich 4 times a week. It just seems a lazy and cheap option. They could do cream cheese crackers or sandwiches as an option. My kids loved a cream cheese sandwich when they were little.

Oh wind your neck in love 🙄

I don't judge parents for using it but I do see children that have been in school from 7.30am till 5.30pm, 5 days a week at 4 years old who are absolutely shattered and just want their parents. I have children of my own and my work life has always fit around my children and their needs. Not that I have explain myself to you

Noone is judging anyone for needing to use after school club.

But if it is a necessity and needs to be low cost you can’t easily quibble about the quality and variety of the snacks provided, and judge people who provide them or are happy for their children to eat them.

my work life has always fit around my children and their needs

Smug poster of the week prize goes to...

Do your DC not have a father contributing to their care and well being? Was his work similarly curtailed to fit around school hours and terms or was he excused the moral imperative?

And. yes you are absolutely judging other parents with smug “let them eat cake” comments like the above.

But there is already a cheese option. 2 cheese options and one ham means no choice for vegan, dairy allergy, none pork eating etc.
If you are catering for all after school there will be multiple dietary needs.
Cheese, Jam, ham covers most.

"don't judge parents for using it" them says this as well
You always fit around your children and their needs.
Well bully for you. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have work set ups that allow them not to have to use breakfast or after school clubs. 🙄
It's a thread about sandwich options, not sticking beaks in and guilt tripping of having to use wrap-around care. It reminds me of when mine were little and there was always someone with an opinion, they'd make "jokes" or "remarks" like yours when you were at work, and when you weren't any more "aren't you thinking of going back?" "What do you do all day?" 🙄
Can't win lol, so to those with kids in clubs, you're doing a hard job the best you can and ignore any nobbers 😁

Teachers, for instance - and actually breakfast club doesn't start early enough. I used to really struggle as 7.30am meant a dreadful rush to get to school.

I didn't ask you to explain yourself to me. I do t expect anyone e to explain themselves to me.

I just asked you not to judge others.

Your job is to provide the care, not judge the people using it, so you wind your neck in and do your job without a side of unwanted opinions.

Mine doesn't start early enough or finish late enough to be honest.

EMC is 7:45 and ASC is 5pm. I don't work every day but when I do it's 8:30-4:30 and it's a struggle to get there on time using buses and during rush hour.

Cheese sandwiches are an option. OP’s dd just isn’t choosing them

... So you do judge.

Nice to know you think the teachers that teach your children, as well as your colleagues are not bothering to make their work fit around their kids needs. Nice one.