Playschools and Montessoris are no longer giving out sweet treats to children in moderation, and have descended into a "free for all."
That's according to Mike, a father speaking to Lunchtime Live about his concerns about healthy eating policies in early childhood education centres.
"A lot of people would say that I'm a killjoy, there is an obesity epidemic at the moment and I don't think that's helped by schools and sports teams and people in general because they're stuffing sweets and lollipops into our children," he said.
"Primary school children are quite restricted on what they can have in their lunch and the parents are restricted as to what you can put on their lunchboxes, but it's a free for all for playschool."
'In moderation'
Mike said he did not feel the playschools were dishing out treats in moderation.
"That's all fine saying it's Easter and Halloween but it happens more and more," he said.
"Everybody gets a goodie bag for the child's birthday, and there's not only like just one lollipop in the goodie bag, there's a lollipop and a packet of crisps plus the rest of it.
"You should be responsible as to what you're giving to children, and if they're exposed to this constantly, it is very difficult."
Two happy little girls eating lollipops. (TEERASAK AINKEAW / Alamy Stock Photo)Obesity
Ashley, a mother, said she found the topic to be "touchy" due to its connection to weight.
"We're in the middle of an obesity epidemic – so, I can see both sides because I am one of those people that's in that community," she said.
"As a parent myself, I do agree to a certain extent. I'm all for healthy eating in schools, for educational purposes and at home during the week. But, kids are kids – let them be kids, let them enjoy their childhood.
"Adults life is hard enough when you get to that, let kids be kids and don't be restricting them now."
Rewards
Andy, a crèche employee, said they provide a cake for children's birthdays.
"The child whose birthday it is gets a choice either to take the cake and eat it all to themselves or to share it with their friends," he said.
"I've been doing this for nearly 10 years ago, and not once had I ever had a child who has said they'd keep it for themselves.
"Then there are no treats given throughout the year unless it's birthdays, but on special occasions such as Halloween, we give treats. Yes, they are sugary but it's about moderation.
"Children need a reward and treats are nice.
"We do ask each parent individually within our registration form if it's okay for us to give treats."
A happy toddler child eating chocolate ice cream in a cone with messy face (Macky Albor / Alamy Stock Photo)A teaspoon
Marsha said a lot of teachers and parents "would think nothing of giving a small child a cone that you would give a fully grown adult."
"If it is my child, I will give them a teaspoon of ice cream," she said.
"I see it all the time now and I'm sick of looking at it – a small child having the same size cone as a six-foot man?
"Sugar, at the end of the day, is a poison for the body, and all these parents are doing is setting their children up for every disease out there."
