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Original poster

Reception teacher using biscuits as reward

42 replies

UncleBunclesHouse · 27/10/2023 19:45

What is the MN view on this? Is it usual? Because in all honesty I’m not completely happy with it. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, like it will be easy to give mixed messages and don’t think value judgement should be attached to food.

I had a lot of this ‘bartering using sugar’ growing up and now really struggle with emotional eating and sugar addiction.

It is used when they get a reward token, which they can exchange for a biscuit or keep and save for a future reward…they are 4&5 year olds so doesn’t take a lot of imagination to guess what they go for.

so as not to drip feed and in case relevant in anyway it is an independent school, CofE

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Mumaway · 27/10/2023 19:47

This is an absolute no for me. Food is not a reward, especially unhealthy stuff

jojonono · 27/10/2023 19:47

Yanbu and I'd be having a word with the teacher or higher up TBH. it doesn't set a good precedent for a good relationship with food!

TheShellBeach · 27/10/2023 19:48

It's not good, is it?

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rockpoolingtogether · 27/10/2023 19:51

Talk to the teacher first to clarify (assuming you haven't already) /and then explain why this isn't really appropriate

Original poster
UncleBunclesHouse · 27/10/2023 20:04

My concern is that if they do this for everyone they will be resistant to change. But I can hardly have my child as the only one not getting a biscuit either!

OP posts:
calorcalorcalor · 27/10/2023 20:37

Not ok! Speak to someone at school about it.

capnfeathersword · 27/10/2023 20:46

So bizarre! This just wouldn't happen at the school I work in and it would be seen as v odd to suggest it! Reward tokens also strange for that age group, I would say (though I work in ks2 so not too up on reception kids). I'd have thought they'd need more immediate consequence though, whether positive or negative.

Hatty65 · 27/10/2023 20:55

This is very odd. Teachers don't usually give out food because of quite strict concerns in schools over food allergies. I teach in a secondary school, not primary however.

carly2803 · 27/10/2023 21:18

very odd - primaries here are very very strict about unhealthy foods

would not be allowed - i would also not be impressed!

ShutTheDoorBabe · 27/10/2023 21:56

I honestly wouldn't be bothered. My dc's primary school teacher sometimes gives out sweets and biscuits etc and I have no issue with it at all.

Original poster
UncleBunclesHouse · 27/10/2023 22:42

Ok so it seems I’m not unusual in not being happy about this, appreciate all the views

How do I go about addressing this without resulting in my child being disadvantaged? Because what I actually really want is for them to stop this altogether, with all the class. Or else my child will be singled out /left out of the rewards!

I’m not very assertive and I don’t think she likes me to start with - and I know this shouldn’t matter but I’m sharing my inner voice here!

OP posts:
WGACA · 27/10/2023 22:44

Ask for a copy of their behaviour policy in the first instance then make an appointment to discuss your concerns with the Headteacher.

Topjoe19 · 28/10/2023 08:55

My DD comes out of school often clutching a little chocolate bar or packet of sweets. Only small ones. I know what you're saying. My DD is very active & doesn't eat much at school so I don't feel like saying anything. Her previous teacher used to give out non-food rewards which was better imo.

Original poster
UncleBunclesHouse · 28/10/2023 09:37

I’ve found a copy of the behaviour policy online, it mentions in terms of rewards praise and gold stars, there is no mention of food

OP posts:
ShutTheDoorBabe · 28/10/2023 11:38

It does seem a bit of a shame to put a stop to something that only you have a problem with. They've only been in school 6 weeks!

WGACA · 28/10/2023 19:57

UncleBunclesHouse · 28/10/2023 09:37

I’ve found a copy of the behaviour policy online, it mentions in terms of rewards praise and gold stars, there is no mention of food

Use that as your starting point - you’re a little confused as to why the children in Reception are being rewarded with biscuits when there’s no mention of using food as a reward in the behaviour policy as far as you could see. If they won’t stop giving biscuits, you could request that your child be rewarded with a non-food alternative such as a sticker. Your concerns about food as a reward are perfectly valid. There’s also Natasha’s law to take into consideration now. Schools are supposed to get permission from parents before giving children food other than school fruit/milk and school dinners.

Superscientist · 28/10/2023 20:05

Mum to an allergy child and this makes my insides squirm!

PaperDoIIs · 28/10/2023 20:16

What kind of biscuits and how often?

MyHornCanPierceTheSky · 28/10/2023 20:25

Go in raging like fire, report to Ofsted, the King and baby Jesus, this woman should not be teaching, the horrors!!

Reugny · 28/10/2023 20:32

ShutTheDoorBabe · 28/10/2023 11:38

It does seem a bit of a shame to put a stop to something that only you have a problem with. They've only been in school 6 weeks!

No it isn't.

EYFS settings registered with and inspected by Ofsted - so nurseries and childminders as well as schools - promote healthy diets and care of teeth.

So giving sweets and junk as rewards is not on.

Reugny · 28/10/2023 20:35

OP are you in the class WhatsApp group - if there is one - or do you bump into other parents collecting their kids in your child's class?

If so ask other parents have they noticed their child being given biscuits as a reward. Then ask them if this is normal policy if the parent doesn't say something on their own about it..

TravellingT · 28/10/2023 20:48

Definitely not okay, and I say that as someone very laid back with food- kids can choose their snacks, no bad foods etc.

Food is not a privilege or a reward, it is a right. Children do not need food between meals and snacks, and a biscuit does nothing to nourish them.

Sweets and cakes for celebrations- absolutely. But not rewards. A misbehaving child shouldn't be threatened with no food.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 28/10/2023 21:03

How times change. My mum taught reception in the 70s and 80s. She kept a jar of jelly beans on her desk as a little reward. They were ‘magic’ jelly beans as the jar was always full. She was loved by her little five year olds and to this day, on the school’s Facebook page her former pupils still post about Mrs E and her magic jelly beans.

MichelleScarn · 28/10/2023 21:17

TravellingT · 28/10/2023 20:48

Definitely not okay, and I say that as someone very laid back with food- kids can choose their snacks, no bad foods etc.

Food is not a privilege or a reward, it is a right. Children do not need food between meals and snacks, and a biscuit does nothing to nourish them.

Sweets and cakes for celebrations- absolutely. But not rewards. A misbehaving child shouldn't be threatened with no food.

In this situation who's being threatened with 'no food'?!
Biscuits aren't 'food', do you also believe in 'no prizes or places' for sports days or any other awards?

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