How do childminders encourage healthier packed lunches?

[Nickyknackered]

I am a childminder and since I accept funding and charge for meals, I have to make it optional.

Most pay for my home cooked meals but the odd one sends a packed lunch and my god why are they always filled with crap? I have provided info, links to sites, sample menus.... no improvement.

Thing is, the children are decent eaters so its not a fussy child problem. It's just laziness I think.

What do other providers do to encourage healthier packed lunches? I worry about their teeth for a start.

I would be reviewing Your meal policy to be honest. I made it optional by saying parents are welcome to collect the meal times otherwise all children will eat the same meal costing X daily which will be added to your bill.
If this feels a step too far, I’d definitely change the wording so it’s optional but not advised/better if they don’t and then give a list of things that they can’t send in. I’m afraid I’ve always been very firm on: my setting, my rules.

What's in a typical lunchbox?

Not much you can do. I have a healthy eating policy that parents have to sign before starting. If they breach it too often I remind them of it. If it’s got enough healthy stuff in there I will take the really bad stuff out, add fruit from my house (and not charge) then give the unhealthy stuff at the end when they full enough to possibly not eat it.

it’s a pick your battles thing really. If it’s not bothering the other kids let it go just keep reminding. If the other kids are starting to refuse the meals you provide and nag for the lunchbox food they can see then be firmer.

I actually have one child I don’t charge for the meals and just provide them. Mum is a single mum working all kinds of shifts and its grandparents her and a sister dropping/collecting. The lunchbox was just stuff you can grab out the cupboard like cereal bars and crisp chocolate etc nothing that took time like sandwiches or chopped fruit. She can’t afford to pay for meals so I told her I’d sort the food to help her with the stress. Don’t know if you receive a deprivation payment of if that’s just my LA/area but I get the odd extra but of money for improvement or deprivation so I feel it’s fair enough. If it bothers you that much just tell the mum you will cover it?

I have one child who gets EYPP and I provide her lunch. I have 2 who pay and 2 who provide their own.

Examples are jam sandwiches, crisps, chocolate bar, raisins, yoyo bear, pepperami, Billy bear cake thing... occasionally a token handful of grapes or strawberries.

The children are between 1 and 3.

You could have a packed lunch policy stating that parents should provide a healthy balanced lunch and if it is not they will be charged for you providing a healthy balanced lunch 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have a strict policy and they have to contain:
A carb eg sandwich, pasta, crackers
A protein of some kind
2 portions of fresh fruit and veg (no purees, pouches or dried fruit)
Plain yoghurt only

No sweets, chocolate, crisps, etc
If they want to put in a treat item then it needs to be just one and could be a malt loaf or oat bar, fruit toast or fruit scone etc.

I would take out the Barny bear, crisps, chocolate etc and send it home. If the child is still hungry give them some of what you've made and bill the parent.