Snack table at school

Becles

Does anyone else's school have a snack table?

In the Foundation stage, the school has a snack table that is shared by nursery and reception children. There is food out all the time and they can just help themselves whenever they want. They put out fresh fruit, raw veg, dried fruit, crackers, bread sticks, toast etc.

My daughter is in the nursery, and attends every day between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. She'll usually have toast or cereal for her breakfast, then an early lunch of a sandwich/beans on toast/soup etc., followed by a yoghurt and fruit, so she's getting plenty of food before she goes.

However she's eating far too much at school and then not eating her evening meal, which is usually something cooked from scratch.

Yesterday she said she'd had two slices of toast, some crackers and two banana's at school, then she left a roast chicken and veg dinner that I'd cooked.

I have mentioned it at school and asked them to keep her away from the snack table, and they said they'd noticed she was there a lot, but they don't seem to be doing anything about it.

I don't think it's healthy picking on at food all afternoon especially as a lot of it is high carb, then leaving a nutritionally balanced meal at home on an evening.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem at school, and how did you solve it?

Buttonmoons

I think it's a bit odd that they have food out all the time to be honest? I've never heard of that before.

Bop goes to nursery 12:45 - 3:15, and they have a snack, but everyone sits down to eat it etc, and she rarely eats it anyways!

But I'd not be happy with her snacking on that sort of stuff all afternoon, as I struggle getting her to eat dinner anyways, throw in some toast and a banana and she just wouldn't be hungry.

Why do they have to have food out constantly?!!

Pee

If the school aren't going to do anything about it and it is not an option to change school then could you give her the chicken and veg for lunch and the carb rich sandwich or toast for tea if she was hungry?

I'm surprised that the school won't talk about it.

Do you know how any of the other parents feel about it?

Flyboy152

Becles wrote: »

Does anyone else's school have a snack table?

In the Foundation stage, the school has a snack table that is shared by nursery and reception children. There is food out all the time and they can just help themselves whenever they want. They put out fresh fruit, raw veg, dried fruit, crackers, bread sticks, toast etc.

My daughter is in the nursery, and attends every day between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. She'll usually have toast or cereal for her breakfast, then an early lunch of a sandwich/beans on toast/soup etc., followed by a yoghurt and fruit, so she's getting plenty of food before she goes.

However she's eating far too much at school and then not eating her evening meal, which is usually something cooked from scratch.

Yesterday she said she'd had two slices of toast, some crackers and two banana's at school, then she left a roast chicken and veg dinner that I'd cooked.

I have mentioned it at school and asked them to keep her away from the snack table, and they said they'd noticed she was there a lot, but they don't seem to be doing anything about it.

I don't think it's healthy picking on at food all afternoon especially as a lot of it is high carb, then leaving a nutritionally balanced meal at home on an evening.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem at school, and how did you solve it?

Don't give her a full meal for her tea. Problem solved.

SkintGypsy

I also find this 'snack' thing odd. I can understand getting some milk at a set time, and even a snack at a set time, but kids should surely be able to last a few hours without food? I asked my daughter the other day when they had their snack, and she too said it was there all the time, although they are supposed to have it at 'carpet time', which is a sit down and listen session. Very unnecessary to let them graze all day. What time do you eat your evening meal? Perhaps a later tea is the answer, unless you have others who aren't snacking all afternoon of course! I don't imagine they'd thank you.

delain

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Don't give her a full meal for her tea. Problem solved.

Yes because it's really healthy for a 4 year old to only have cereal bananas and toast isn't it. Where is that rolly eye smiley when you want it.

Flyboy152

What's unhealthy about it? Just make sure she has a decent breakfast. If she prefers more food earlier in the day, then give it to her. Cook a breakfast. Eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes etc.

fiscalfreckles

I've never heard of this & do think letting the children graze as much as they like is an odd policy. I'd be worried about kids with allergies possibly picking up the wrong thing too.
I would have a chat with other parents & see how they feel about it, I don't think I'd be too keen. In fact my daughter's school was always very strict about what food they could take in, even for parties etc. If a few of you are concerned, talk to the teacher or the head.
Meanwhile, maybe give her a bigger lunch or her evening meal later?

emsywoo123

No not heard of it, and I wouldn't be best pleased with it either!

Becles

I've got older bairns as well, and I like everyone sitting at the table for a meal together on an evening. We normally eat about 5.30-6pm, and she goes for a bath/shower at 7pm and then story and bed. Don't really want to make tea later, as it's not good for you going to bed on a full stomach.

I forgot about the milk! She has a carton of milk there as well, then can help herself to water or squash too.

I wouldn't mind if they just had the milk and one piece of fruit as I don't think that would fill her up too much.

Don't really want to change schools as it's a decent school otherwise and a feeder school for one of the best secondary schools in the area. We're lucky to get a reception space for September and I know a few who were disappointed not to get in.

She doesn't need to eat more food earlier in the day. On a weekend where there isn't free access to food, she'll have three meals a day and eat most or all of her tea, and she doesn't ask for food between meals. I think she just eats it because she can see it rather than because she's hungry.

pinkshoes

You could just not give her lunch?

Or tell her she's only to have the milk and one piece of fruit.