24 replies to this topic

[Gizzy]

I have to set up a cafe style milk time as part of the accreditation process can anyone give me some advice on how to make it work. How do you ensure that each child only has one drink and snack.

I am going to get it up and running after the 1/2 term break so any advice gratefully received.

Thanks Gizzy

[Linda McDowell]

Hi Gizzy
there have been a couple of conversations about this before so I will add a link for you here. You will find links within this thread to the others.
Linda

[Gizzy]

Thanks Linda.

Gizzy

[Rea]

Gizzy does that mean you'll fail if it's not cafe style? Why have you got to set it up? :D

[Gizzy]

My PDW has been saying for ages that I should set one up and in the accred form section 4.4 it says "adults sit with children in small groups or on a one-to-one basis (pre-schools may have a "milk bar" or a "cafe system")" So it looks like it is sort of prefered. I have had an action plan for it for about 10 months now so have been thinking about it for ages.

The way the session is run on a Thursday is different to the other days of the week and having all the children sitting down together was not working very well. Will not go into it in detail but I just feel the cafe style will suit the session better and as I can't do it for one session only will have to do it for all of them.

Do you have a cafe style milk time? and if so how does it work out?

Gizzy :D

[Inge]

We changed to cafe style about 6 months ago, our children have placemats with thier name on which they find before sitting down, they pour thier own drinks and offer the food to others. when finished they take thier cup and mat to the kitchen hatch, this way we know who has been or not, some always seem to want to be first, others last as they know they can often have more to eat if any is left!!
not all children use it every day, if we notice they have not been we remind them as very often they are so engrossed in what they are doing they forget. we have it out for 1 hour each day as we do not have space for it to be available all the time, but this is always long enough.
To begin with they always needed reminding to wash thier hands first but now do it without much prompting, always the same ones forget!!
An adult joins them at the table sometimes more than one if the numbers allow.

Inge

[Gizzy]

Thanks Inge,

Like the mat idea, not sure if I will use name cards or not. Will think about it over the 1/2 term hols.

Will give it a go and let you all know what happens!

[Rea]

No Gizzy we dont use the cafe style. There was a thread on this a while ago and I do think in some settings it can be a good idea but as we open for just 2 and half hrs we decided that a set time would work better for us. We still sit with the children while they eat so we can cover that angle in our QA. :D

[Beau]

We were advised recently to change to a cafe style snack time but as we only have 7 children it seemed like a ridiculous idea. I can understand why it might be useful in a group with large numbers of children but I like the system we have at the moment. :) Much more cosy and friendly!

[hali]

We have just passed our accredition and all our children still sit at tables together pour their own milk / water help themselves to fruit :D

[Gizzy]

Congratulations Hali. Did you near a near miss accident book? I do.

Gizzy

[hali]

no dont have a near miss accident book either (and still passed)

[Gizzy]

Just thought I would let you know how milktime is going. well apart from the odd child drinking/eating someone elses milk/biscuit it is going well so from it being 5:1 against it, it is now about 5:1 for it. :D

[Peggy]

This topic really illustrates why I like this forum, we can discuss and take on board others ideas, but are still respected if we choose not to do what is suggested ( if you know what I mean). Citizenship - value and respect each others opinions

Gizzy,
Today we thoroughly enjoyed porridge and hot chocolate at our snack bar which runs all day for drinks and most of the day for snacks. No food between 11am and after lunch.


Peggy

[Sue R]

Our Cook decided to treat the children to hot chocolate after their Outdoor time - half of them rejected it!!!!!!!! We didn't have the heart to tell her, she's such a lovely lady

Sue