28 replies to this topic

[jo.d]

At the mo we, (the staff), get a 15 minute break in the morning....and that's it! we start at 9.30, (well that's when the children get in - I'm generally in by 8.30, the NNEB by 9.00). The childen finish at 3p.m. A recent OFSTED picked up the lack of breaks... I just wonder what breaks you get? I would LOVE a lunch break!

[mundia]

First of all Jo d welcome on board and thanks for making your first post.

You dont say what sort of settng you work in?

You are entitlled to a lunch break. Legally you are entitled to 30 minutes but in practice most places give 45 mins to one hour. (we went round this one when our Head wnated to cut our lunch break from an hour to half an hour). On the hours of contact time you mention you may lose you morning break in order to give you a lunch break but half an hour at 12.00 ish would break your day nicely. But Id crertainly ask for both as you need time away from the chldren, no matter how wonderful they are.

In practice, we have a 15 min break in the morning and an hour for lunch but no break in the afternoon. Thats fairly standard, certainly in schools, I dont know about other settings.

Good luck :D

[Julieali]

Hi jo.d
I work from 9.15am to 2.45pm NO breaks at all

[Linda McDowell]

"An adult worker is entitled to a rest break of least 20 minutes if their daily working time is more than 6 hours."
I took this directly from the working time regulations page when I did a search for employment law. So, you should be getting at least 20 minutes because you are working more than 6 hours.
We don't have a break as most of my staff only work 3 1/2 hours, with two of us working 4. We have a drink during the morning. When we were open 3 afternoons last year any staff who were staying for the whole day had a half hour break from 12pm - 12.30pm.
Linda

[Julieali]

Hi Linda
Would that be a paid break?

[Linda McDowell]

Forgot to add that we were open until 3 in the afternoons.
No Julie, it wasn't a paid break I have to be honest. Not sure where things stand on that-I think it is just a break not necessarily paid. I will try and find out.
Linda

[Linda McDowell]

Have just rung my husband and he says that it is up to the employer as to whether it is paid or not. It's all to do with the working time directive and this just states the times-there is no obligation for it to be paid.
Linda

[Sue R]

Hi all
I work part-time, that is 3 6-hour days per week. Each working day I get a 30 minute break from 12.00 to 12.30. The full-time staff get 45 minutes, at various times according to their shifts, but somewhere from 11.30 to 2.00.
I'm in a Day Nursery which opens from 7.30 to 6.30 per day. I have previously worked in a setting (also Full Daycare) where we had a WHOLE HOUR! and a Pre-school Playgroup wher we got what we could grab, but usually between 15 and 30 minutes between AM and PM sessions. (What with late collections and setting up for next session) :) Any help? None of these breaks were paid.

[hali]

When we work from 9 - 3 the staff are supposed to get 30 minutes. (unfortunatly it dosnt usually work out that way) we usually get about 20 mins.

[ruthie]

hi to all,

this is one of my bug bears!!!!!

i work 9-4, can have drink with children but not an official break but as a social thing.

I get 30 minutes (in theory) at lunchtime from 12.30 -1.00. in this half an hour i have to be in the same room as the children as im the qualified staff member. so i dont get away from the children at any time.

I do not get paid for this half an hour, as it is my break, but im not allowed to leave the building or the lunch room, even though i am supervising the children.

If i need to pop to shop to get my lunch, i have to nip out at 12.15 when another qualified staff is on duty.

i do nip outside for a quick fag break at 12.45, but i know im not meant to leave the room, but otherwise i have no time to myself all day.

It seems many of you have these problems, im a leader of a preschool and it just seems to be another way to be taken advantage of to me.

[kate]

Hi all

Question, 'What is a lunch break???????'

[Mimi]

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure you have an adequate break at lunch time. I f you work more than 5hours you are entitled to a minimum half hour break, this is unpaid. If you are still on duty I would not consider this to be a break. Tea breaks are at the discretion of your employer, hot tea can scald even after it has been made 5mins prior so it should not be drunk in the presence of children or carried through a classroom or play area. Of course if you choose to work through your lunch break so you can leave early you should OK this first but make sure your boss understands you have completed your duties earlier so there is no miss understanding.

[Suzanne W]

In my setting most of us work from 9.00 - 3.30 with the children (Paid). We get in at 8.30 to set up and leave at 4.00 after cleaning up. We do not have a lunch break paid or unpaid! We tried to get 'paid lunch time assistants' to cover a break at lunchtime for us but most parents are not interested - 'I'll lose my family credit....' and they are not qualified. Also we have no-where to go inside away from the children so we work through lunch. (We eat our lunch with them in the school dinner hall). We are a full daycare pre-school and are always short of funds! I think you should be paid for your lunch cover Ruthie.

[ruthie]

thanks,

I agree, i should be paid. Ive printed this page of and going to show the committee tomorrow.

Cant hurt to try, but i bet i know what the answer will be.

I'll let you know on thursday

[Linda McDowell]

If you are going to have to supervise the children and take your own lunch break then I agree that it should be paid. But, if it is just that a lunch break and you are free to leave the premises then it doesn't have to be. But in reality you should be having a break from the children and having your lunch with them does not count as a break!!!
Linda