[*lightning]

I wouldn't complain to the school because your child asking other children for money or accepting money from other children is something you need to discuss with your child. Speak with the school and they can talk to all children about sharing money.

I know your DD is only 5 and it can be difficult but not impossible to stop her from asking for or accepting money. You could give her canteen money on a regular basis and she might stop searching for money.

[SeaPrincess]

I would take it up with the school. Its not appropriate for kindy children to be buying each other stuff from the canteen and the school can flag it as an issue in the newsletter, and make all the teachers aware of it happening, not just the kindy teachers. If it continues, then they may need to address it by limiting the younger children's access to the canteen. Our kindy and pre-primary children are only allowed to have lunch orders, not to go to the canteen and buy things themselves.

[Jemstar]

The other thing you could do is ask the school to consider a 'ban' on FYOS actually buying directly from the canteen, our school does this. They. An only get items via lunch order, not at the counter IYKWIM.

Self control is tough I guess, I would speak to the teacher about that aspect.

[-al-]

Oh but I am sure that your school has a healthy eating policy, such as the traffic light systems. LOL and the like full of fruit juice....whats wrong with that!?! 282 filled bread, topped with plastic cheese !?!

I hate the school canteen with a passion and their claims that they promote healthy eating. LOLs in our school canteen get a green light, sugar filled 'fruit drink' carbonated, great for their teeth, not to mention their overall health.

My advice to you OP is to find something on the menu which you are happy enough for your child to have and let her have that as a treat....better if you can order it.

[noi'mnot]

ETA - other parents are also complaining about the same thing. Their children hunting for $2 coins and being bought stuff from others.

This is what the parents/teachers association (or parents and friends or whatever it's called at your school) is for. I know of many many many schools where canteen food - particularly the healthiness of as well as policies regarding selling what and how much to whom - has been brought up at the association and been a catalyst for a complete overhaul of the canteen to make it much healthier. You're a parent, this is your avenue.

Of course, it will take a lot of work but there is lots of evidence and case studies available of how this has been done. Also, if not enough other parents agree with you then you'll have to suck it up. But it is the best way for you to go, in my opinion.

[tazcan]

I guess you are all saying I should control my DD. Here is the issue. She is always after $2 for the canteen, she begs me for $2 for the canteen each morning (but I say no usually - at first I was happy to have the occasional treat but things got out of control with the other kids buying her things). Every lunch time she will see kids from her class going to the canteen and having ice blocks or slushies, and she is only 5 and that will make her want one two.

Why should there be a canteen creating this situation every single day she is at school. School is supposed to be a place where children can learn and be in a safe healthy environment. Its not like the swimming pool canteen - she isn't at the pool every day of the week. Even adults struggle to resist sugary treats if they have say a soft drink or chocolate bar dispensar in the workplace staring at them everyday,.

[soontobegran]

It is perfectly feasible for a school to run a canteen with much healthier options, both the primary and secondary school our children went to had 'healthy' options and very little absolute junk! All the drinks they sold were sugar free.
I don't believe that there should be a total ban on all things sweet, for many children it is just a very occasional treat.

OP I'd be writing to the school and perhaps asking if you can present your concerns to the school council?
TBH, I thinking selling slushies at primary school is ridiculous!

[Jemstar]

Well your avenue is to take it up with the P&C and advocate for change if you feel that strongly about it.

I am not sure that I lay all the blame at the feet of the school canteen though, children do have to learn self-control and seems to be the time where your daughter has to learn it.

Perhaps if you told her that once a fortnight she could have canteen money that might help?

I'd like to know what sort of slushies they are.

[liveworkplay]

The problem is other kids are buying her things which means she is getting at least 3 slushies a week which I don't think is appropriate for a 5 year old, and there is nothimg I can do to stop it. As a parent I should be able to ensure my child as a healthy diet.

this I would have a problem with and I would actually start with your childs teacher/grade coordinator. Sharing any food at our school is frowned upon, so this would be taken very seriously.

As for sugary drinks and foods being available, I have not too much problem with. I control when my kids get money for the canteen (seldom), ergo I control their "treats". Kids are going to be surrounded by unhealthy choices in life and it is our job as parents to help educate them in making appropriate choices. It is never too young. This is the approach we have taken with our kids and they were always the toddlers at the parties who chose a cupcake, fruit and sandwiches for their plates. They enjoy junk, but certainly know when enough is enough.

[tazcan]

But the school canteen is to blame. How can little children resist a slushie? Sure I can give her a talk and she can agree to a fortnightly treat, but when a friend offers to buy her something she will not be able to resist it in the moment - and then later when she sees me she will feel guilty. Why can't the school canteen be healthy?