even my ds preschool only allow, water, milk or fruit juice, absolutely no squash under any circumstances.

I believe that is quite normal.

even the squashes that are really large % of juice are not allowed.

if i were you i would really work on the water thing. its far cheaper too.

Squashes often have ugly things in them which can affect behaviour. Juice is healthier than squash.

Right, I was sending her with squash, but they wouldn't allow her to drink it because of the healthy eating policy but would compromise and let her have fruit juice which is allowed, as its in the healthy eating policy.

I was asking that she be allowed to drink squash because it contains water but the school said no, water, milk or fruit juice.

But BenHolly, I don't understand, the whole point of your complain is that your DD didn't drink water and now she does drink water with "just a drop of squash added" ??

So the school didn't need to compromise at all in giving her a fruit juice.  I think they make the things worse if they give her a juice when they just have to add a drop off squash to the water.

thanks for having a debate about me sambajazz!!!!!!!

my dd does have water, it just has a drop off squash added to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it healthy for a child to not drink water at all?

Sorry, off topic... but...

Hi Chelbel - love your aviator!

Heidih

Same as the post below and even then it's only natural juices

All schools should follow a healthy eating policy and also if they are putting in for a healthy schools award (a green apple plack I think it is) then sorry to sound like I'm taking sides but I would try to get your DD to drink water

I understand it's dificult if she won't drink it but do what a previous poster said add water each time till she gets used to drinking it. Over time she will see the other kids drinking it and hopefully drink it aswel

At our school it's only water exept at lunch when you can have a juice. I think that's normal for most schools now.

I agree with schools only give water, although if a child only drink juices (sorry, I think it is a mistake from the parents for not trying hard to make them use to water) the school would have to compromise, but at least work together parents/school and try to mix juice with water 50-50 and after that 40-60 and 30-70 until they get used to the more watery flavour.

Because water is the best liquid for your body - helps the brain

juices are full of sugar - cause dental decay

schools have to be seen to encourage the healthy policy

- water doesnt make the desks sticky when spilt!!!!!!!!!

if they bend the rule for one child, it causes problems because everyone will bring in juice

juices are known to contain chemicals that make children react differently - often misbehave, hiperactive, etc.

So, as frustrating as it is, you cant really blame the schools.  they will get into trouble, presumably by someone, if they dont promote the water only route

My personal view is I would prefer him to drink juice than nothing.  My ds hates bottled water, and hates chemical water out of the tap.  I quite often send him to school with packets of milk.  He is drinking water more now because everyone else does and its accepted as normal.  the kids tell on each other if one has juice.

Over time, I would try and encourage your child(ren) to drink water - it saves all the hassle and aggro they will get at school if they wont - and it is supposedly good for you as well!

sorry to be a scynic - been through all this myself and no many other parents have as well

heidih

do you mean at lunch time???

It is perfectly acceptable for a child to drink fruit juice/squash with a meal.

My kids school will provide drinking water for all other time but no other alternatives (apart from morning milk).  I guess it would be too expensive and a logistical nightmare to offer different choices.

so I complained to the head as my dd won't drink water and got told off yesterday for having squash (even though shes only 5 so she obviously didn't make it). To start with it didn't look like I was getting anywhere as it part of the healthy eating policy. My argument was that yes it may be part of the healthy eating policy but how is it healthy that my dd isn't having a drink all day apart from her milk at 10am.

She phoned me at 9:30 too say she'd looked into it and will compromise and let her have fruit juice, yeah feel like i've won were many others have failed.