School dinners

[Stephthegreat]

DS1 started Reception this week and is on school dinners,he comes home starving everyday and said he had just beans for lunch today!There are also no dinner ladies at the school any more so he spilled his water and said he didn’t get any more.

I’m really shocked they expect kids to go all day eating nothing,I remember the dinner ladies when I was at school used to check we had balanced meals and had eaten enough.DS1 also told me the teacher mixes the school milk with water before she gives it to them,is this normal???

I work in a school and can say your child won't have just been offered beans for lunch. Their will have have been other options available, plus jacket potatoes. Maybe your child didn't like what was for lunch that day??

As for dinner ladies, usually in reception it's the classes teachers that walk around checking children have there lunch and water etc. They are the ones who keep water topped up.

This is in my school anyway.
Hope he as a better day tomorrow!

Our infants school provide a 3 week rotating menu at the start of each term. We have to select in advance if we want meat option, vegetarian option or combo of both for each menu week for each term. The menu shows everything, all ingredients, any allergens, plus the dessert and fruit options.

Email the school and ask for clarification on menu!

I wouldn't rely on the word of a 4 year old!

Definitely check with the school. Watered down milk sounds disgusting and I wouldn’t let my child drink it.

Oh come on! You don’t actually believe that so you??!

I know,never heard of milk being watered down like that.I had bottles of milk when I was at school but I think the teacher pours the milk into cups according to DS1.Hes bright and very articulate so I think what he’s saying is true,he said the milk and water are poured into one cup and mixed up.It does sound yucky.

I’m not sure about DS recollection of lunch time but I really think the milk thing is true.Why would he make it up?

Milk (in all the schools I've worked in and my kids have been in) have been in sealed individual cartons that the kids drink with a straw so I find the fact that a teacher is mixing with water hard to believe. Obviously, it may differ i suppose, but I've worked in many schools in different counties.
It's usually semi skim milk - is he used to full fat and sensitive to the taste difference?

I can only tell you from my primary school . Head gets a list of refugees. There are a list of children in particular need keeping an eye on.

They can’t leave dinner room without the permission of a miss.

Speak to teacher about what your dc is saying.

I agree. About 4 year olds been unreliable . I remember phoning nursery to ask my Ds had said he had eaten or drank nothing . Turns out he sat next to deputy manager and had seconds 😳

No chicken, my DS definitely said that the teacher mixes the milk and water together.At preschool he used to have a carton of milk everyday and we never heard of this mixing milk and water together until now.DS is at a different school now in reception.

What teacher has time to mix milk for 30 kids though? Think about it.

I volunteer as a parent helper at dinner times. The school cook is bound by rules dictating that she must put certain measurements of each part of the dinner on everybody’s plate. They all get a good meal given to them. Unfortunately we can’t make them eat it and a lot of freshly cooked food goes straight in the bin. I expect this is where the rest of your sons meal has gone.

I am pretty sure that ds did have more on his tray but only ate beans!Georgie this is a very small class of 12 children so yes I would say it’s probable they are watering down the milk.Could it be a budgeting thing?They seem to be very low on funds and looking to cut costs.

I would just have a word with the teacher in the morning and say you're getting some odd stories! For context, my almost 4yo who has just started kindergarten came home and told me that they had a new teacher today and all went to play at a friend's house instead of recess!

She could easily water down the milk if she’s simply pouring it into a jug and topping it up from the tap. Wouldn’t take a minute. Bit mean though.

But there is no need. Milk for Reception is provided free, the school doesn't pay for it so watering it down is hardly a cost cutting exercise!

Milk is only free until their 5th birthday

At this point of the year, most reception children aren’t 5 yet!

I bet there’s some who have water instead of milk so he’s seen both and got confused.

If you're worried go and speak to the class teacher. I very much doubt it was just beans for lunch - although it could be that your DS is confused about the routine at lunch time and his class teacher could help him understand what to do if he needs more water, if he can ask for a potato instead of the main meal etc.