DD started with a childminder for 1 day a week 2 yrs ago. Then 2 1/2 she was spectacularly fussy food wise and I hoped that seeing the other children eat other things would encourage her. Reasonable.
When I asked the childminder to try her with the same food as the others, which she apparently did but ended up giving her a cheese sandwich (which she ate at home). For several weeks I would get the same thing- 'she only ate a cheese sandwich'. I kept going with it- 'I'm sure she'll eat other things if she sees the others doing it'. I explained that I would be happy for her go hungry for one afternoon (I got her back at 3pm) if she didn't eat what everyone else was having. Again, reasonable to me as her mother.
I got nowhere but was heavily pregnant and decided to let it go- cheese sandwiches were alternated with chips from Burgerking (sporadic so I didn't kick off). I know that I should have perhaps more of an issue but the childminder is a lovely woman who looks a bit scared when I talk to her as she is quite shy, or I am quite scary?
Anyway, last year the council issued a questionnaire that I filled in as part of her inspection- it asked about the food and I explained that I was unhappy with the lack of variety. I also mentioned that there was a lack of structured activity. However I had never mentioned this to her and so I was a bit relieved that she didn't mention it. Unreasonable of me not to have discussed it with her.
So a year goes by and nothing changes and I because I was happy with her overall (and there are a dearth of childcare alternatives where we live), I decided to send DS to her for a day a week. When talking to her about him I explained that he would eat anything so feel free to give him whatever she wants(he would be more likely to pull apart a cheese- sodding- sandwich) and I suggested soup etc. I do pay for lunches but it's only £1 each.
To keep this shorter than it could be, DS now goes somewhere else and he gets a variety. When the questionnaire came out this year I mentioned it again (that I wasn't impressed by the food) and a couple of other minor issues re feedback ect. Reasonable?
So today I see the childminder and she storms up to me saying as of next week she's not doing lunches anymore. I immediately feel guilty and then pretended to be surprised (I know, I know but the questionnaire said it was anonymous). And she turned round and said 'well I didn't get a very good inspection because you aren't happy with the lunches so I've decided to keep childminding but drop the lunches', as she pressed a note into my hands.
The note said that she would give me the oppertunity to discuss the situation with her. I am mortified that I didn't speak to her more about it but also pissed off that the feedback I did give a) specified that it came from me and b) has been so ill-received.
Okay- am I being unreasonable or not?