Berkeley Parents Network: Preschool Policies

Berkeley Parents Network

Preschool Policies

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > School & Preschool > Preschools > Preschool Policies

Birthday treats at preschool

October 2002

We're new to the preschool scene and could use some advice. At our school the families can bring in a birthday treat to celebrate their child's birthday. This treat is eaten with the morning snack around 10:30. The school makes some reasonable suggestions for treats(popcorn, fruit, etc.)in the parent handbook. They ask that no chocolate or nuts are used due to allergies. Sounds fine, right? What has happened so far is that the parents have brought in these yucky super sugary cookies, both which had chocolate and nuts! When I asked the teachers about it they just threw up their hands and said, ''We keep asking but the parents just do what they want.'' There are several children who have allergies at the school too. And now the kids think you are ''supposed'' to bring cookies!

So I am looking for guidance. First off, what is the birthday/treat policy at your child's school?

What should I do? I am not happy about my child eating this junk, especially in the morning. If I approach the parent board what is the best way to do this?

Help! Frustrated Mom

I am a Preschool teacher and it is hard to tell parents what to bring. Our school also has a treat policy. But if parents bring things that are too sweet we cut them very small, and remove icing and such. I like it when kids bring fruit, muffins, popcorn, dinosour gramcrackers( these look like cookies; you can get them at any store I think) or oatmeal cookies can work. Some parents have brought fruit with wip cream which is less sugery but fun.

We also have parent that have requested their children not eat cetrain food because of allergies. These parent bring 'special' snacks for their children. Some kids have these even 'more special' snacks on birthdays so they can join in the fun. We never serve children food they are allergic to. Most children understand why they can not have certan foods.

I would say try and model what you thik is a good birthday snack, bring what you think if not to sweet but stil fun. It is hard when all the children bring cookies and your child wants to bring cookies too. Maybe make cookies at home that don't have too much suger ( if you have time) or have your child pick from some other things you are willig to bring.

Hope something helps.Good luck. J

I feel that along with a birthday is invariably a sugary snack and I am okay with that. As long as your child is offered a healthy snack along with it and at other scheduled snack times on regular days it should be fine. My child is allergic to chocolate, dairy, and nuts. I brought a box of doughnut holes on her birthday for the kids to share. The kids loved them and at least they are small!! Heather

All the preschool and elementary schools I have seen ban nuts of any kind at school, request nutritious snacks, but allow junk food for birthday treats. You should definitely approach the school about sticking to policies on allergy-sensitive foods, and even request that they reiterate the request for healthy snacks, but forget about eliminating treats for birthday snacks. It will never happen. Just remind yourself that the number of birthdays are limited and get used to it because this is only the beginning. another healthy snack parent

Someone mentioned that ''all the preschools I've seen ... allow junk food for birthday treats.''

Not true! The New School (preschool) has a very firm policy against junk food and sugar. Children are not even allowed to have lunches with sugared items in them. Both parents and teachers work together to achieve this ... it takes both sides. Birthday treats are fun and delicious -- but they do *not* contain sugar. And none of the children feel deprived.

Even with parent/teacher cooperation, I think that the driving force behind enforcement of a ''no sugar'' policy is always the director of the school. If the director is unwilling to be a leader for the school's stated policy, then that policy should not be written into their literature. If you place your child and pay your tuition, you don't want to feel mislead. anonymous

Field Trips at Preschools

No car seats?

I have a 3 year old who is ready for pre-school and have enrolled her at two places - Smiles Day School and Lakeshore Children's Center. I really like Lakeshore with the exception that they take many field trips but don't use car seats for the children. It is also further from my house. That alone could be the deciding factor not to go there, since I have two other children, each in a different place. Smiles is nice, but their outdoor play area at the church site is cement and not available to the children in the late afternoon when elementary school age children are also there. They also have a less open feeling in the center as far as choice of activities. My dilemma is whether I should be so concerned about the lack of car seats on field trips. The director says that by law they are not required to put everyone in car seats because it is like a school bus. Everyone has such good opinions about Lakeshore otherwise, and I agree that the atmosphere and approach to pre-school there is terrific, more in line with what I want for my daughter. Can anyone give me some feedback about these issues?

I have a very hard time believing that "by law" the school is not required to put children under 4 years oldand under 40 lbs in a car seat. That is the law, no exceptions, as far as I know, regardless of what the vehicle looks like. In any event, you might want to consider whether want your child riding around in a vehicle while not safely and securely strapped in, regardless of what the law is. Is it worth the risk? Raissa

I responded directly to the parent who posted the original question about Lakeshore and its transportation arrangements for field trips, but because I'm a very happy parent of a very happy -- and safe -- Lakeshore student, and because a responding list poster seemed alarmed, I'd like to share what I know -- from my field trip experience and observation, not a legal perspective.

First, the LCC vans are not minivans; a special permit or license is required to drive them and they carry, I believe, 12 passengers. The vans have seatbelts, and the children must use them. Parents who want their child to ride on the school van in his or her own carseat only have to leave the carseat at the school the morning of the trip and let the teacher know it's there. Few parents do, for whatever reason. On the field trips, there are enough adults in the van to keep an eye on the children, to insist that they stay belted and safe. Also, sometimes a parent will drive from the school to the trip destination in her/his own car, and of course a child whose parent left a carseat can ride along.

Second, unless I'm mistaken, most of the big yellow school buses ridden by millions of children each day are not even equipped with seat belts. And surely there are children on those buses, who are driven to and from the school bus stop in personal cars, in a carseat they are still legally required to use because they are under 40 pounds. This is apparently legal. Lorraine

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