Discipline around food?

[Babysharkdodo123]

I arrived at DD's (20 months) nursery today a little earlier today at the same time they were having afternoon snack.
I walked in and DD was sat on the floor crying whilst her key worker sat looking at her. The rest of the children were at the little tables they have eating their food.
When I asked what was wrong they told me that DD kept getting down from the table so they'd put her in time out.
I understand that nursery needs rules, but sitting DD on the floor whilst she's crying and not giving her food to me is inhumane! Also just letting her sit there and cry and just staring at her rather than helping her through the tantrum to me is awful. At home, we have boundaries but toddlers have very big emotions that they don't understand so I'd never ignore crying or withhold food as a punishment.

Is it a case of PFB or are nursery wrong to discipline a 20 month old like this?

I would have a lot to say to an early years setting still using time outs. Outdated and pointless, especially for under 2s.

Expecting a 1 year old to sit nicely and eat nicely every time is unrealistic. It's been a long time since I worked with babies but with 2 year olds we would allow them to get down, but not allow them to have their snack while wandering around - safety guidelines. We would allow them to sit on the floor to eat, or to go and play (possibly restricting where they play, as staff need to be focused on the children eating, but would never force them to stay at the table or punish them for not doing so).

I don't think you're being precious at all, none of what you described is particularly good practice.

Never heard of nurseries practicing time outs. Ours doesn’t even say “no” to children at that age - they use distract and redirect.

I think I would change nursery. I don't agree with time outs and I think they have been discredited anyway especially for such young children.