Have the rules changed?

[lexiemum]

Was just wondering whether Ofsted have changed their advice / recommendations regards providing food.

When looking for a cm 18mths ago, everywhere I went I was asked to pay additional fees for meals, only snacks included. Hourly rate was usually £3 to £3.50

This time round i've visited the same cm's plus others and phoned even more. Hourly rate of £3 / £3.50 includes breakfast and lunch and maybe 50p to £1 for evening meal.

Does puzzle me - but its going to save me making a packed lunch and panicking that its not healthy enough and be perceived / judged as a bad mother.

We don't have any obligation to provide food at all, it is down to each individual childminder. Many that I know who do provide food are often already doing food for their own children. However, if we do provide meals, OFSTED certainly want us to "keep it healthy".

I think that providing food has become more common recently - when I first registered, I didn't know anyone who did it! I still don't provide meals (just snacks/drinks), and have only done so if someone forgets theirs.

The food that my mindees have turned up with range from ultra-healthy to the definitely-not-so-healthy. Recent courses I've been on suggest that childminders should "encourage" or even "re-educate" parents to send the healthy stuff - in theory, I agree with it but, in practice, I think parents ought to be able to do what they like (within reason!!) I certainly don't think it's my job to start telling parents what they can and can't do. I shall end up with a downgraded tick on my next inspection for even suggesting that I think parents can choose what to send for their children if it's not organic, free-range and freshly-cooked.

I know that Jamie Oliver managed to do it, but am not convinced that the world (and the mindees) is ready for my strict veggie offerings.

(Can everyone please not mention my obsession with chocolate as this will now ruin my image ...)

leximum - Ofsted don't decide if we provide food or not, The Prisoner is right, it is completely upto the childminder. I provide food, but i do charge a small fee for meals, and only provide snacks and drinks included.