Parents "sneaking" pop into water bottles - opinions please?

[Bozza]

DS has just started reception and they have a policy that all the children are allowed to take in a bottle of water which are kept on a tray and they are allowed to help themselves as and when. Think this sort of idea is becoming pretty common. So I went out and bought DS a nice new Star Wars bottle to take it in and he was quite happy.

However loads of the parents are complaining and saying their kids won't drink water. Some of them have started sending in flavoured water and ribena. One even sent diet coke. I'm a bit peeved about this because DS knows they are only allowed water but that some of the others are taking these things. I know its only a small thing but I do think it is giving the kids the message that its OK to undermine the teacher and I think that its the start of the discipline problems that afflict lots of schools - the sort of thing that HMB describes very eloquently. What do you think?

bring back school milk!

on second thoughts - little Johnny 'won't' drink milk!

Access to juice all day isn't moderation though.

I think if a parent has an issue with a school rule they should take it up with the head or parent governor. And in the meantime follow it.

Er, yes they can't say they don't drink water. I never drink it on it's own. Bleurgh.

We have school milk too in our authority although once they are over 5, you have to pay for it.

GDG you would if you were really thirsty though wouldn't you?

Yeah I agree with Twiglett as ever.
If a child sips juice from a bottle all day (and let?s face it, that?s what we?re talking about, not just one drink) the it will be very bad for their teeth.
Also if it?s a school rule, why should parents be allowed to break it?
We?d be angry enough if the school encouraged parents to send the kids in with diet coke, wouldn?t we? Hurrah for schools trying to get the children to drink water.
And as others have said, what?s bnot to like? It?s a good habit to set early in life imo.
(btw socci, i think twig was trying to say that just because someone did something (eg baby rice at 6wks) and there was no problem, doesn't prove it's a good idea!!

why don't they just have water coolers and make a small charge termly

What with all those dairy allergies cod? Maybe they do those mini bottles with soya in now tho....

I meant it doesn't cause allergies or reactions or anything.

or water fountains

doh sorry, took too long to read the thread as usual and twig has answered herself!!

When the school implements different rules parents should be notified in advance, not informed in a letter 2nd week of term.. when uniforms etc have already been purchased.

Message withdrawn

I don't think that 'bad' rules should be followed blindly either, but I do think that they should be challenged properly ie by trying to get the school to change its policy or taking it up with the Education dept or whatever, not just ignored by parents who seem to think that what they want for their individual child is the most important thing on earth.

Just to say - I don't like water either - it's definitely got a taste ie it tastes of water BUT when I'm abroad and really hot, water is wonderful!

agree..
lots of different issues here I think.

is 'water only' a BAD rule!???????

In early years we are taught to work in partnership with parents and to respect parent's decisions when it comes to their child's care. I give children here the food and drink that their parents give me to feed them and do not make judgements. If something might be sticky it doesn't matter as it's consumption is limited to my kitchen. I do provide a self service water machine which all children are encouraged to use as well and children who are able to be educated on healthy choices and why are educated, but any kind of state enforcement that goes against parental wishes for how their children are fed and watered will always make me rebellious.

Personally, I don't like water with a splash of juice in it. But if it was all that was on offer and I was thirsty, I'd bloody well drink it.

Kids these days, don't know they're born. Pshaw!

(Socci - I thought the thread was about having access to a drink all day?)

Are these the same parents who pushed KFC through the playground railings when Jamie Oliver was trying to get them to eat proper food?

quite agree goosey...
school is to educate- not indoctrinate surely?

I thought it was about putting juice in what was supposed to be just water

and it doew have nasty additives like fkuoride

Isn't there an issue of allowing children access to sugary drinks all day (Ribena and Coke) and behaviour problems?