C/minders, do you charge for catering, some advise please.

[fizzfagins]

Hi
I'd like some advise and opinions please about whether you as childminders charge extra to the hourly rate for providing meals for minded children. I always provide drinks, fresh fruit, healthy snacks (crackers/breadsticks/rice cakes) and some biscuits for minded children included in my hourly rate (because they are only 'snacks' and plenty of fresh drinks, parents advise whether water or juice. A new child started with me yesterday (8yrs old in junior school) he is due to come to me Mon, Tues, Weds afterschool and goes to an after school club Thurs & Fri. The afterschool club I know only offers the same as I do above and not 'hot meals'. Mum works full time and has told me that she has paid for him to have hot school meals, so he does have a hot main meal during the day and she will give him something else in the evening (she collects from me by 6pm). Up until recently he was with another childminder, mum changed him to me because geographically I'm so much nearer home (she told & the other cm told me she gave her a great reference, so there was no problem). The only problem is the boy (although pleasant) is always asking for food and said that at previously CM he had two 'teas' eg one at CM's & one at home. Mum was happy with the 'snacks' thing because same with after school club when she spoke to me. I don't cater for the others in terms of meals and parents supply food to be warmed thru for little ones. Is it best to explain to new mindee (or suggest he talk to his mum about it) that the others don't have (or they bring their own) meals of chat to mum. She pays the same hourly rate as the others £3.50 ph, or suggest offering family meal but with an extra contribution?
In this area hot school meals are £1.95 per day.

Ah yes, well I do have contract reviews in about 6 months but that'd mean I'd seriously have to grow a pair, I can't imagine I'll ever have the balls to change anything, although I have been steadily getting stronger with the parents.

I do think that maybe for young children a hot meal might be beneficial but for 18m+ I think it might be a bit ott, sandwiches should be fine as long as the fillings aren't always the same. Of course, I'm probably completely one-sided because my own DD (24m) hasn't eaten lunch since she was about 12m, hasn't eaten supper since then either really , maybe it's just my cooking!!

I provide lunch. I prefer to, so all the children are eating the same meal. I make it clear to parents that sometimes it's a hot meal and sometimes cold, but always nutritious. My choice and included in the price.