Rafa

Yes, thank you all for your good points! We did have a good social/talking/independence opportunity before come to think of it, so I guess I will re introduce it. Probably easier than trying to defend it because as mentioned, without it, there are of course lots of missed opportunities for learning! Thanks again all - The SNACK BAR is Open!

Hi, I wonder if I can ask your opinion on our current Practice. Background: Preschool open for 3 hourly sessions term time only We always used to offer a small snack with milk or water to drink. Usually a small piece of fruit and something dry such as malted wheats or breadsticks. We always felt this was a bit of a faff and our time could have been spent better - but it was there. During Covid at its height when there were lots of restrictions we decided to ditch the snack to prevent too many opportunities for hand to mouth and not always catching children to wash hands afterwards as well as before - drinks were still available. Interestingly NO child after the first day asked for "snack". Parents were aware of our change and were asked to let us know if their child had skipped breakfast - so we could give them something. PRESENT PRACTICE: Given that we only open for 3 hours, NO child asked for snack previously, we decided that given the ORAL Health initiative that we would continue as before - Drinks only. Our thinking behind this is promoting not eating between meals, so benefitting both child obesity and oral health. Parents have been notified of our practice and no complaints - so far. OFSTED Of course with every decision made we hold Ofsted in mind. I am slightly panicking now in case we have an inspector who does not agree with our philosophy and we get a downgrade for not feeding the possibly not hungry?! I have redressed this with my Team again and they still feel its the right way forward. So we are all agreed and happy with our decision and know we can 'defend' it if necessary. We are due an Ofsted soon. I wonder if anyone has some strong for or against comments and is their anything in The Stat ReQs that I have missed to say children MUST have snack?! Thanks

Sign of the times I’m afraid Zigzag. One child told me how “I could buy another one” - after breaking a special resource! Be interested if someone on here has better words of wisdom than I can come up with - usually “that’s made me very cross!!! 😤

Yes I worry too about the connections with Parents - especially those newly joining us and vulnerable families, as there is no time to 'Be Friendly' and build relationships when you just take them quickly at the door with a queue forming behind! I think we may keep drop off at the door - because it does suit, and let them in at Pick Up? Difficult one.

Agree lynned55 - Sadly some Parents seem to think that Children are only happy if they have food in their mouth - we have some that greet their children with a chocolate bar at pick up - as if they felt guilty for leaving them!! Hey Ho. We have managed so far under our "System of Controls" to stay snack free and I hope to find all the right words to convince Parents that this is a GOOD thing....Teeth are precious!! To self.....stay strong, stay strong, stay strong....

With regard Oral Hygiene - we have discussed this might be the time to rid the morning of Snack Time! I have always thought this a time consuming and unwarranted 'activity' when only open for 3 hours (Preschool) each session. During Covid we no longer offered food of any kind to help reduce the hand to mouth action - and washing hands before and after was becoming, again, far too time consuming so we just offered a Drinks Bar - Milk or Water whenever needed. Interestingly apart from one or tow children in the first week no one has asked for 'Snack!' Which kind of proves its not necessary. Not eating between meals is surely a good way for children to have healthier teeth - as well as reducing obesity. We would have food of some kind available in case of a missed breakfast and I believe we should be doing what we consider in the childs best interest now rather than Ofsteds???

Hi All, I'm asking for a Friend........ Nearing retirement and another multi setting owner has contacted her letting her know that she would be very interested in taking over - when the time comes! Happy that her setting would be in good hands but unable to come up with a sensible ' for sale price'....... Packaway setting that has served the village for 30years - and kept afloat ( has had a few worrying years, but who hasn't)? Great staff team ready to go! average Gross £50,000pa Her profit/wage approx 12-14,000pa Any ideas??? ..

I'm with you fm on not wearing masks! I have purchased white cotton gloves for staff to help them feel just a little more protected touching the hundreds of items we touch each session, including those that may have been in mouths! Not entirely stopping the risk but hopefully making it more 'comfortable' to deal with. Clean pair every day of course. With the same thought I have bought lots of lovely coloured aprons for staff - again to feel a bit more protected.......