C/ms Chupa Chups for breakfast

[jellyjelly]

Mindee arrived for first day with a lolly pop in his hand, had already been sucking. I got rid of it when in the house but what would you have said?

Mindee hadnt had anything to eat as i always ask, so it was the first thing that had been given.

So was i but they did give coke in a beaker which i told them was really bad for the teeth before.

As it was a first day - maybe that was a treat? Wildly clutching at straws.

How old was child - just so I get be even more shocked.

Double

Was the one i had before so do know the child and not 2 yet.

OMG

What would you say?

'Oh its too ealry for that for breakfast'
'what a lovely treat for later in the day'
'put this in the bin please as others might want one if they see it'

Or something else?

I'd just tell her you don't have sweets, chocolate, crisps etc. in the house as you are promoting healthy eating and if one child has something, the rest will want the same.

Easier said than done, I know. Remember last year my mindees mum packing several packs of crisps, sausage rolls, cakes, sweets, chocolate etc. for her 18 month old (and in hols, her 5 year old). She knew I provided the food but did this anyway and I found it really hard. On the days I just had the younger brother, I just left it all in the bag and let it go home with them .

I used to with the unopened ones but was unsure about how to nip it in the bud.

I'd probably say (well, if happens again as too late now):

'oh, would you mind taking that back with you so the other children don't see it, otherwise everyone will want one and we don't have sweets in my setting/house'

You know me though, I can advise what to say but I don't know what I would actually say if it happened to me

I wouldn't really say anything to the parent, as it is there choice to give their child rubbish, but I would remove it from the child and tell them that they need to have some proper breakfast before having sweets. Does the child normally have breakfast with you?
I have a mindie who comes in a morning often without having had breakfast but when i ask if he has, he sometimes says yes sweets or a biscuit. If i get that reply from him I make sure he has some toast or cereals here.

Stuck about the other one, what do you think on the other post.

Had this with a mum who thought her ds would settle more easily if she bundled him in the car armed with sweets.

Point out that its so unfair on the other children to watch a child eating sweets that they can't share. And the solution isn't for the parent to bring sweets for everyone as other children may not be allowed them.

I wrote a letter saying that I felt it was unfair for children to have sweets etc that others aren't allowed, so I would provide all snacks. Also included some research I'd seen into effects of sugar,salt, additives and colours.
I don't want to spend time with 2 year olds eating Skittles washed down with Coke, what a lovely day we'd have!!

One thing I've seen is parents wanting the carer to enforce a far stricter regime then they do themselves.
I suppose part of that is the idea that a professional should to it "right", plus a bit of wishful thinking about how much they really give their kids.

Mostly harmless I suppose though at parties I've seen nannies who have been told to enforce strict eating on the kids. Obviously their are allergies, diabetets etc but it seems to be cruel to be surrounded by kids gorging and not be allowed to.

thuink
i agre with dc

do you do a newsletter? or just send a little note to everyone (even though its only the one parent) saying you promote healthy eating and would parents please not send children with sweets/drinks. its upsets the others. if it is a birthday or something parents could send somthing for everyone and they can take it home with them?

From handbook:
Occasionally, I may provide sweets, chocolate or ice-creams—this is not a regular occurrence and may occur on an outing or on a birthday, for example. Please indicate on the permission form if you do not wish your child to be given sweets.

Please do not give sweets or chocolate to other children in my care or allow your child to bring/arrive eating these treats. It is very difficult for young children to watch others enjoying a treat that they cannot share and can also cause disruption to our meal schedule. It is much easier for treats to be provided by me, as I can ensure all parents wishes and dietary requirements are followed.

If you really wish to provide a treat, for example on your child’s birthday (and there is certainly no obligation to do so) then please provide it in a box/bag that I can take to the kitchen. I will then be able to make any substitutions as necessary and give to the children at an appropriate time in the day.

From handbook:
Occasionally, I may provide sweets, chocolate or ice-creams—this is not a regular occurrence and may occur on an outing or on a birthday, for example. Please indicate on the permission form if you do not wish your child to be given sweets.

Please do not give sweets or chocolate to other children in my care or allow your child to bring/arrive eating these treats. It is very difficult for young children to watch others enjoying a treat that they cannot share and can also cause disruption to our meal schedule. It is much easier for treats to be provided by me, as I can ensure all parents wishes and dietary requirements are followed.

If you really wish to provide a treat, for example on your child’s birthday (and there is certainly no obligation to do so) then please provide it in a box/bag that I can take to the kitchen. I will then be able to make any substitutions as necessary and give to the children at an appropriate time in the day.

Sorry for double post, nothing happened when I clicked the first time.

I'd just mention to parents that while you do occassionally offer children treats, you'd prefer it they didn't come with them else everyone wants one!

My mindees frequently come clutching chocolate, chocolate biscuits or cake.. before 8am. sigh.

OMG im a childminder and a mum to a 22 month old. He had a chocolate biscuit today at 8 50 am .....can i have the coverted mother of the year award please or should i just be shot at dawn :o Thouugh it isnt an everyday occurance i must add

On a more serious note jellyjelly i wouldnt personally say anything about whether it is right or wrong to have sweets in the morning to the parent (smacks a little of lecturing) just make it known that they will be taken as soon as they arrive in your house.

With you there nzshar. Guilty here meself also. Not the end of the world.

nzshar sorry I didn't mean to sound accusing :)

It's just it's MOST mornings, they've usually had 3 or 4 (according to mum!) and I provide breakfast! Then ds runs up asking for one too, and it's a nightmare.

At nursery school my kids were both forbidden from bringing any food at all.
Apparently this was due to the risk of nut allergies etc. Not sure how much I believed that, but it's a nice simple rule, and thus the easiest to enforce.

Of course it's a bit ironic that a sweet that's pure sugar with artificial colouring and flavourings is actually safer than real food, since no one is allegic to sugar and the E-numbers have been tested.