A preschool has been slammed over its "health and safety" lunchbox rules - including a ban on white bread and demanding raisins are cut in half.
Busy Otters Pre-school says it wants "safe, healthy" meals brought in and has issued a set of strict guidelines called a "Safer Eating Policy."
It has banned potato chips, chocolate, chocolate brioche, cookies, cake bars, sausages, string cheese and raisins - unless they are cut in half.
The rules also state white bread is banned as it is a choking hazard - but toasted is fine.
In a message to parents, the Devon preschool wrote: "Please remember larger and harder fruits: Apples, pears and melons should be cut into thin slices.
"Small fruits: Grapes, cherries, berries, strawberries and cherry tomatoes should be cut lengthwise into quarters.
"Oranges: Must be peeled, segmented and checked for seeds.
"Vegetables: Carrots, cucumber, peppers and celery should be cut into narrow batons or sticks.
"Cheese: Should be cut into thin strips or grated. Please avoid string cheese.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels
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"Bread: White bread should not be included in lunchboxes, as it can form a dough-like ball in the throat and pose a choking risk if not chewed properly.
"Brown bread or toasted white bread are alternatives. Bread, chapatis, naan and other breads should be cut into narrow strips."
It adds: "It is equally important that food is prepared appropriately before being placed in your child's lunchbox, helping to reduce the risk of choking."
The school says the rules are in line with the government's healthy eating guidance, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements and a recent Ofsted.
Busy Otters Pre-school said in its post: "Over the coming days, you may notice slips coming home in your child's lunchbox.
"These slips will inform you if any items have been included that are not permitted under our Safer Eating Policy, or if food has not been prepared safely.
"They help us promote healthy eating, support children's well-being and reduce the risk of choking.
"We understand that these reminders may require a little extra preparation, and we genuinely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
"The slips are not intended to cause concern or embarrassment.
"They are simply a way of communicating with families and ensuring we work together to follow our policy and keep every child safe.
"Thank you for supporting Busy Otters Preschool in promoting healthy eating and safe mealtimes for all our little otters!"
Photo by Terrance Barksdale via Pexels
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People reacted to the school's Facebook post.
One said: "Jeeez, my kids would be going hungry😂."
Another said: "As an early years setting I totally agree with ensuring our little ones have a varied balanced diet but I'm really worried that with these new rules getting stricter & stricter that we may get a rise in eating disorders & unhealthy views around food
"Unless a place is providing food for your child, this includes schools. I don't feel they have a right to tell you what your child is allowed to eat.
"I'm paying for the stuff in my kids lunch so Il send what they are going to eat not what is begin dictated."
One added: "Lemon curd sandwiches on white bread, a penguin, packet of crisps and a small box of raisins never did me any harm."
After an Ofsted, the school was recently closed temporarily to "carefully address the issues identified during the inspection".
It said inspectors had "identified a number of areas where the setting was not meeting the required safeguarding and welfare requirements."
Busy Otters Pre-school. (William Dax via SWNS)
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They said a welfare requirement notice was subsequently issued.
When approached for comment, Chair of the Busy Otters Preschool committee, Thomas Prideaux, said: "Busy Otters Pre-School is a charity-run setting, and our decisions regarding lunchbox guidance are based on our responsibility to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, relevant safer eating guidance and advice from our local authority.
"These decisions have not been made to inconvenience families, but to help ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our care.
"We want to reassure parents that no child will be left hungry. We recognize that every child is different, with individual needs, preferences and circumstances.
"Children who may struggle with the guidance, including those with specific dietary needs or who are particularly selective eaters, will be supported on a case-by-case basis, working in partnership with their families to find appropriate solutions.
"We understand that parents may have concerns, and we remain committed to working constructively with our families and community.
"However, we also ask people to remember that there are real people behind Busy Otters. Our dedicated staff and voluntary committee work incredibly hard to support local children and families, alongside full-time jobs and family commitments.
"The backlash surrounding this issue has had a genuine impact on our team's well-being, and nobody should have to face hostility or threatening messages for carrying out their responsibilities and following the guidance expected of early years settings."
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