eating lunch outside in this weather

miss tickle

I'm looking for a bit of advice here. I picked my niece up from school today and to make conversation I asked how was lunch. 'Freezing', she said. She told me that they had to sit out in the yard for lunch, the only time they sit in the class is when it's raining. Is this normal, it strikes me as a bit cold this time of year to have them sitting on the ground outside while eating. I'm free at this time of the day, would the school be ok with letting her eat in my car?

ShamoBuc

That's a new one for me. I've only ever seen children eat their lunch at their desks in the classroom.
Also, this time of the year, if I see a child sitting on the ground in the yard - I tell them to get up and walk or run around.

miss tickle

Thanks for that, I find it a bit strange too. My son goes to a different school and they sit inside, I just wasn't sure if this was the norm. Have you any advice on whether its ok to take her out, just while she's eating and then return her, she's in 1st class.

ShamoBuc

Maybe they went on a winter walk and had a picnic when they came back - a slight possibility - but given how cold it is, very doubtful - it would certainly not be the norm.
Children normally have 20mins yard time and then 10 to eat their lunch. Teachers hate wet days when the kids have to stay in, so I would be pretty surprised if they stayed inside for 20 and had their lunch outside.

miss tickle

Thanks I'll talk to her teacher tommorow and see what the situation is. I just didn't want to make a mountain out of a molehill, because all schools have different policies.

E.T.

Did she say they were actually sitting on the ground? I'm asking that because if I see any children trying to run around with their lunches in the yard, I tell them to go and sit on the bench until they're finished eating. They run into each other often enough without doing it with food in their mouths, and risking choking on it.

As regards eating in the yard, you could give an hour to eat lunch and some children wouldn't go near eating a quarter of what's in their lunchbox, they have enough food for 2 adults! I give extra time to infants and do some reading or music at the same time with them, and still some of them will just sit there nibbling. I've asked parents about it and they say the children are extremely slow eaters at home too. I have to let them take out a sandwich or they'd have very little eaten by home time.

Wantobe

I know my two want things in their lunchbox that they are allowed go outside with- so maybe she just doesnt want to stay inside? Ie she is trying to have more play time by bringing her lunch with her.

christine08

In our school, children have 10 minutes before they go outside at each playtime to eat their lunches, but I'll often give an extra 5-10 minutes and use the time to tell stories etc, sometimes if the children are pushed to eat too quickly they end up getting sick when they go to run outside... It would be a good idea to talk to the teacher, hopefully you'll be able to come to some agreement, even if it was just for these cold winter months...

Flier

I live in Poland. The only time the kids don't go outside is if it's raining or if the temp is below -18C. Does them the world of good to get a bit of fresh air. They just have to dress for the weather

touts

I know the HSE and Health and Safety inspectors have been making the lives of some Creches miserable over eating facilities. They dont want food consumed in the rooms by either the children or the staff. This seems to be a new thing as up to recently creche building designs were being signed off without canteen facilities and they have been inspecting for years without this being an issue. It could be going on in schools also.

Big Bag of Chips

Do you always collect her? If not maybe instead of you having a word with her teacher it's best to mention it to her mam/dad and let them deal with it, if they feel it's an issue.

miss tickle

Thanks for all the imput, mum is abroad with work for 2 weeks so didn't want to worry her. Sorted it out with teacher this morning and all is good. Thanks again for advice