Nursery leaves snacks out all afternoon...and my daughter does nothing but eat them!

[koshkalila]

it's only apples and carrots and things, but should I be worried?

why?

maybe she is hungry!

well that's what I wondered, but she eats plenty at home, and doesn't pester for snacks at the weekend. I'm worried it is a comfort thing, but also quite surprised they just leave the food there all through the session...surely a designated snack time is more normal?

no

I mean I think it's great to encourage them to eat fruit and veg but she loves food and cooking so she just hangs around the snack table all afternoon, not playing outside or with the toys or anything

How long has she been going?

yep, eats really well. Never had food issues with her and don't want to start now, would be a shame. Maybe it's the novelty as you say, or a growth spurt.

Yes. No-one should snack all day and at random times. Very bad habit.

she's been going a couple of weeks now

Wouldn't be keen on it myself. I prefer all meals to be at the table. (Unless the kids are in bed and I'm scoffing toast in front of the TV ). Do as I say etc...

Really though. I think grazing is a bad habit, but suspect that the nursery are doing this to make sure none of the kids are going hungry.

Perhaps they could supervise a bit more and encourage her away from the table? Or see if she'll eat bigger meals at meal times?

Yes, might ask them to try and distract her a bit. Probably nothing to worry about. Just upset me when I went to collect her last friday. All the other kids were playing and she was standing on her own and eating, then yesterday the staff asked (jokingly) if she was getting enough to eat at home because she is always at it. Not what I hoped her to get out of the experience really

i would be upset if it was crisps and other shite, or if she wasnt eating her meals. but it sounds like its no problem.

Normally it settles down at about 4-6 weeks - it is a novelty and it stops once they realise they can have it when ever they want

as long as its not a ton of juice, chocolate and macdonalds then no I wouldnt be worried. I often wish dds nursery had a rolling snack time as they are more grazers than sit down at set time eaters..or they try to be apart from dinner time..lol

I don't think grazing on fruit and veg is a bad habit -- in fact, it's a pretty good habit. As KatyMac says, she'll probably get over the novelty soon enough (much as chocolate factories let employees eat as much as they want; they stuff their faces for the first few weeks and then give up).

grazing on fruit is not great for dental health (bananas ok)

carrots ok

It's fairly standard practice in nurseries now. Designed to help children recognise when they are hungry/thirsty, rather than dictate to them when they will eat or drink.

You wouldn't expect the nursery to only let children go to the loo at set times, whether they need to or not.

We have a 1 hour time slot each morning or afternoon when snacks are available. Children can choose when to come, or not come. There is always an adult supervising though, and it's always fruit or vegetables.

For goodness sake, snacks ARE part of a young childs diet. Mid morning and afternoon snacks are required.

as long as they aren't allowed to walk around and play whilst eating i wouldn't be bothered by it.

littlefish did you get my text message the other day? wasn't sure if i had the right number anymore!!

No I didn't get it Nappy. I'll e-mail you with my phone number. Was it about the meet up? I got your e-mail about 4 hours after you had met! Never mind. Maybe next time.

How old is your daughter? I find this a very odd thing to worry about esp if she eats well at mealtimes. Be careful what messsages you are sending your daughter

I wouldn't worry about fruit and veg. Surely you want your child to choose this kind of thing as a snack when older instead of crisps or chocolate? She's getting a good education in learning to regulate her own appetite and a good education in learning to appreciate fruit and vegetables. If she's still hungry for meals, what's the problem? I'd be delighted if my child would eat apples and carrots all afternoon. I think it would be very good for her.

Also, I'm presuming your daughter is pretty young if she is at nursery. Small children need snacks and drinks in between meals. Do you go from lunch to dinner without anything at all? I don't and wouldn't want to.

Many people think grazing is actually a very healthy way to eat (as long as you're grazing on healthy stuff, not sweets and crisps).

My DD prefers to graze, and i think it is very healthy to encourage this. What is this thing about strict meal times? Does she eat her tea when she comes home? If so, not a problem. It probably means the children get less tired and tetchy too. I know i have to graze else im irritable.

littlefish yes it was about the meet lol. don't worry quite a few people forgot about it. was just me and baggiebird in the end but we had fun. checked email and can't find it. could you send it again? btw are you on facebook?