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Original poster

WTF Syrup Sandwiches & Mince with Rice - Balanced Diet?!?!?

25 replies

TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 18:13

Ok - for sure a small rant alert but after all the press lately about Jamie Olivers scjool dinners/healthy eating for kids etc I just can't believe this...

A while ago now the nursery my dd goes to changed hands, I noticed a slight decrease in care but comparing it to the decrease in price I wasn't too bothered - especially as dd is so happy there

BUT

I have been noticing more and more that I am raising an eyebrow when being told what they had for lunch/tea etc I have asked twice for a copy of the new menu but as yet they are unable to give me one.

I don't want to kick up a stink as dd does like the place and I don't particularaly want to leave but would you be miffed if you were told that they had eaten

mince and rice for lunch
syrup sandwiches for tea - when I asked what they meant by syrup the girls couldnt tell me
Tinned fruit for desert - but was assured that it was 'in natural juices' when asked if fresh or tinned
Crackers with cheese for tea - my dd won't eat cheese so basically that day she had dry crackers for tea

Now these are just a few examples as I have a really bad memory without seeing their menu plpan but does this sound strange to anyone else?? Is this normal for a nursery?

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Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 18:16

Sorry I didn't rrealy it was so long

OP posts:
colditzmum · 07/04/2005 18:18

Thats shocking! I would hit the roof! That is a poor excuse for a menu, and what the hell are "syrup sandwiches"!??

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 18:19

Exactly WTF are syrup sandwiches?!?!

OP posts:
colditzmum · 07/04/2005 18:21

I think they are probably Lyles Golden Syrup sandwiches, but FFS it is just another form of sugar!!!! That is all Syrup is, pure sugar!

Dahlia · 07/04/2005 18:22

God, we used to eat syrup sandwiches at my granny's house when I was about 5 - disgusting. You want to put your foot down, that's just grossly unhealthy.

Pruni · 07/04/2005 18:23

Message withdrawn

Pruni · 07/04/2005 18:23

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iota · 07/04/2005 18:24

were there any vegetables with the mince and rice? maybe in the sauce - onions tomatoes carrots or something?

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 18:47

Well I can only assume that the syrup was Golden Syrup and I agree is just liquid sugar.

When I queried the mince and rice I couldn't get a straight answer as to whether it had veg in it or whether it ws chilli con carne or something like that.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who t hinks it's odd.

Oh and the dry crackers were for tea not a snack.

OP posts:
Dahlia · 07/04/2005 18:49

I would guess that the sandwiches were just bread with copious amounts of golden syrup on - that's what my granny used to make. the syrup soaks into the bread really quickly so she used to put loads on.

morningpaper · 07/04/2005 18:52

Apart from the syrup sandwichs it sound ok to me.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect alternate options to basic things like crackers and cheese - although I'd expect sandwiches or something at tea time.

bundle · 07/04/2005 18:52

my dd has honey on bread/toast at nursery, but definitely not syrup

morningpaper · 07/04/2005 18:53

Oh sorry you said it WAS sandwiches as well for tea!

Syrup sandwiches DOES sound like something from the war though...

annh · 07/04/2005 18:55

That sounds absoutely dire! There's almost no fuit or veg there (apart from the tinned fruit "in natural juices"), not enought fibre, protein or anything really. It's been a while since ds was in nursery but lunch was always something like chicken casserole or stew and dumplings, there was always a dessert AND fruit and tea would be things like ham rolls or pitta with dips followed by yoghurt or biscuits. I would kick up a stink! I also think the fact that they can't give you a menu or even tell you what is in some of the meals is terrible.

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 18:57

annh - thaat's whta dds nurseery used to be like. I used to be v happy with that!

OP posts:
hatsoff · 07/04/2005 19:04

Mince and rice sounds basically ok but I would be a bit annoyed if it really had no vegetables with it. Syrup sandwiches - bang out of order, and personally I would be pretty unhappy with tinned fruit. Cheese and crackers is ok but a bit limited. I would put your thoughts in writing - if you;ve asked verbally for menus and got nothing, then you ought to - it's not kicking up a stink, it's entirely reasonable

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 07/04/2005 20:23

Thanks all of you - I will give them until the end of next week to give me a menu before I put anything in writing.

I have made a point of asking lately exactly what they have eaten and so will continue to do so.

I'm glad I'm not the only one whot thinks syrup sandwiches are bizarre. I just can't believe they would encourage such bad eating habits at such an early age - why give a child who will eat a normal sandwich something lilke the fgs - it's just encouraging a sweet tooth.

I'm still not convinced about the mince and rice but I'm still to find out what exactly that was. It sounds very dry and boring, I don't think I would have minded if they'd said mince & potatoes or something.

Will keep you posted if it gets hairy

OP posts:
sallycinnamon · 08/04/2005 15:08

Interested to know what has happened today. At dd's nursery menu plans are on the board for the next 6 weeks which I think is a really good idea. I'm really shocked about the syrup sandwiches! If they seriously think thats a good idea for young kids to be eating they want a good kick up the bum. Do you speak to any of the other parents? Maybe no one else knew about it. There's nothing like a bit of parent pressure to get something changed in a Nursery

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 08/04/2005 15:32

Hi Sally,

They did used to have the menu plans up for 6 weeks but they've reduced it to a 4 week plan.

This morning I had a copied menu plan given to me (some bits hand written), I didn't even have to ask for it again. Perhaps the nursery manager is a fellow mn addict?!?!

No sign of syrup sanwiches on it but at least once a week it's 'mixed sandwiches' for tea. So will continue to monitor

OP posts:
lunavix · 08/04/2005 15:38

TVI - to be honest it all sounds vile to me.
Fair enough mince, fair enough sandwiches and tinned fruit but it's ALL no effort food.

Talk to a few other mums - see if they've noticed as well.

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 08/04/2005 15:41

agree re. non-effort. Also there used to be a vegetarian alternative printed for every meal on the old plan but there isn't on this one!?!?!

I wonder if they stopped accepting vegetarian children altogether

"Sorry, only carnivores allowed here, move along please"

OP posts:
lunavix · 08/04/2005 15:42

They'd probably have a heart attack if a vegan/kosher child joined!

lol not very multicultural is it

saadia · 08/04/2005 16:03

I'm amazed at the syrup snadwiches - are you sure there hasn't been a misunderstanding? I can't believe that anyone would feed kids raw syrup with bread - that's just bizarre.

Original poster
TheVillageIdiot · 08/04/2005 16:35

Exactly that's why I questionned it. It's a disgusting thing to do (I think).

OP posts:
saadia · 08/04/2005 16:44

Even jam would have been better than syrup, at least it has some fruit in it!

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