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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Do schools insist on children finishing their meals these days?

11 replies

ceebeegeebies · 02/02/2011 12:36

Just wondering as Ds1 made a comment today that implied they did but I thought that was not the 'done' thing anymore??

He has had school meals since he started Reception in September and tbh, he is not a big eater and rarely finishes a meal but eats enough for him (and tbh, I am perfectly happy about this).

But today was one of his faves (cowboy pie which is apparently beans and sausages in a pastry crust) but today when I said that was what he was having for dinner, he pulled his face and said that he didn't want it. When I asked why, as he has always enjoyed it, he said that the beans and sausages were ok but it had 'something' (ie the pastry) on top that he didn't like. So I said that he didn't have to eat that but could eat the beans and sausages...and he replied 'no we have to eat it all'

It is the first time he has ever mentioned this to me and I know it is unlikely that he has finished every meal he has had since September so am a bit

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darleneconnor · 02/02/2011 12:37

my DS's doesn't. I wish they did.

PatriciaHolm · 02/02/2011 12:38

Ours doesn't - they are encouraged to try things, but there is certainly no pressure on them to eat things they don't like.

Have a word with his teacher - he may have misinterpreted words of encouragement as a general diktat!

jaffacake79 · 02/02/2011 12:40

The dinner-ladies at our school encourage them to eat more if they've barely touched it, but would in no way make them.

gabid · 02/02/2011 12:47

My DS (Y1) always finishes a whole sandwich (thick sliced), well filled, a yoghurt and sometimes fruit. He never ever eats that much at home! Last year, parents were invited to have lunch with the children and I observed that dinner ladies and classroom assistents encouraged children to eat their mains before they had their puddings. However, not everybody ate their food and that was fine. I get the impression DS thinks that he has to eat all his sandwich before he is allowed his yoghurt etc..

Only on one or two occasions he didn't like his food and didn't eat it though?!

So maybe your DS thinks he has to eat it all when he is just being encouraged to eat it?

Original poster

ceebeegeebies · 02/02/2011 12:51

Maybe it is encouragement that DS1 has interpreted wrongly - it seems a very strange thing to say now when we are 4 months in!!

It is my money anyway and if I am happy to pay for a school meal and he doesn't eat it, then surely that is my choice??

I think they do encourage him to try things as fishcakes were on the menu on Monday and DS1 said to me that he had tried it but didn't like it so could he have jacket potato on that day in future - which is fine cos at least he did try it (or so he said anyway )

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PorkChopSter · 02/02/2011 12:52

Ours have a system where the more food they leave on their plate, the shorter play time they get. So if they leave 3 things, they can only leave the hall 15 minutes after those that have only left 1 thing on their plate. It's supposed to stop those children who couldn't be bothered to eat and would rather be playing, and has reduced the school's food waste by 75% or something astonishing.

The food police don't tell them what order to eat the food though, and it's their choice as to what they eat although obviously there are consequences i.e. lack of play.

ElfOnTheTopShelf · 02/02/2011 12:54

DD's school doesn't. We send her sandwiches, and we get back what food hasn't been eaten. The school are fairly supportive re food issues; DD takes AGES eating, and we'd tried to install in her that she should at least always eat all her sandwich, and if she left everything else that was okay, but one day she didn't like what was on her sandwich and she was sobbing at dinner thinking we'd tell her off for not eating. So in that sense, I'm pretty glad her school doesn't push them to eat everything.

TennisFan · 02/02/2011 12:59

ours don't
If you are taking school dinners - they children can pick whatever they want, or not and eat as little as they want. And at £2.10 per day it seems a waste if you discover your little DD isnt eating any of it.
Packed lunches are supervised in the classroom, but you dont have to eat it.

PfftTheMagicDragon · 02/02/2011 13:12

No, they don't. Would be crazy to do so. I remember sitting at a dining table all through afternoon lessons at school as I hated something on my plate. I didn't give in.

I'm not particularly keen on my children having memories like that.

Original poster

ceebeegeebies · 02/02/2011 13:35

Thanks for your replies - it is very reassuring that it is not common practice. I guess I need to ask the question at school and make sure that they aren't pressurising him.

We don't do the 'eat it all otherwise you don't get pudding' at home and I don't want them doing it at school either!!

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fishie · 02/02/2011 13:39

ds's school has a 'clean plate' reward sticker. this did cause a little confusion, esp at home where he would put things he didn't want onto other people's plates so he could be sure of finishing everything.

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