Hot drinks policy at pre-school

[marathonmum]

I have just taken over as manager of a pre-school. The last manager allowed staff to have a cup of tea/coffee midmorning. However recently staff have been walking around the setting with cups of tea on trays , drinking them outside etc. I feel this is a health a safetyissue for the children . I would like tohave no hot drinks around the children at all. I am happy to have cold drinks/snack for the staff mid morning esp as one member of staff is diabetic.
What do other settings do? How would you feel if you were a staff member deprived of your tea? or a parent seeing staff drinking Tea instead of playing with your child.
I'd really appreciate your advice

[edam]

I'd be really, really fed up if I worked somewhere that didn't allow tea and coffee. Would put me off, tbh.

But they shouldn't be walking around with cups. Hot drinks should be on the table well away from little fingers, or held in someone's hand while they are SITTING DOWN.

[Zazette]

Agree people shouldn't be walking round the kids with hot drinks - they should have a break and be able to sit down with a drink away from them.

I think you could only reasonably deprive them of hot drinks if you could show there was no acceptable alternative in health and safety terms.

[marathonmum]

They can still have hot drinks before the children come in and at the end of the session. But if they are sitting down young children of 2 and 3 still come close and ask you to dress a dolly for example . Then you have to put the tea down to help the child. Thats what is happening.
I/m not mean really just concerned that if a child gets burnt it comes down to me as the manager to bear the responsibility

[Josie3]

You could consult staff and see what they say?

[RupertTheBear]

I am a primary school teacher and we have recently been banned hot drinks out of the staffroom during the hours the children are at school. It went down like a lead balloon with the staff (although we all appreciate the safety aspect) especially on the days we are on playground duty and can't get into the staffroom. Management avoided a full on revolt by bulk ordering those thermal lidded mugs - might be an idea!

[marathonmum]

Some are quite happy and agree with me. They have a drink before we open at 9 and then another at 12 when we clear away and are happy with that. I have provivded soft friut juice and biscuits etc for the morning.
Two members are not happy though, however i do feel that their main purpose of the morning is getting to the t break so ots still open for discussion with the team split

[marathonmum]

That might work. Are you allowed the thermal lidded cups in the classroom/playground?

[RupertTheBear]

Yes - the problem with normal mugs was the possibility of a hot drink being spilt on a small child and the mugs we have got have got tight fitting lids so no spillage is possible. It does mean your drink stays scalding hot for hours though!!

[RupertTheBear]

Yes - the problem with normal mugs was the possibility of a hot drink being spilt on a small child and the mugs we have got have got tight fitting lids so no spillage is possible. It does mean your drink stays scalding hot for hours though!!

[marathonmum]

so if we make it in a thermal mug at 9 am it will be just right for drinking at 12

[RupertTheBear]

Ha ha yes probably. Then you will have the problem of lots of scalded moouths!

[Whizzz]

I think that if they are having a cuppa on a break, then they should be taking that break in an area away from the children.
I think if a child did get a hot drink spilled on them whatever the circumstances, then I'm sure you would be held liable. I think you have to provide an area where staff can have a hot drink away from the children

[marathonmum]

Unfortunately in a pre-school you have to have a certain ratio of staff to children . If a staff member leave the room to have a cuppa then we are below our ratios which ofsted set. It would be lovely to have an extra member of staff so we could take turns inhaving a breal but realistically the pre-school cant afford it

[Shitehawk]

Would you be prepared to go without a cup of tea whilst at home with your child? I know I wouldn't.

Whilst I might want to ensure that steps were taken to make break times safe for the children, I think you are unreasonable to expect them not to have a hot drink at all while they are at work - particularly with winter coming on. Being forced to have only cold drinks on icy days wouldn't endear you to me as a boss.

WRT the staff drinking tea instead of playing with the children - if they are entitled to a break then it wouldn't bother me to see staff having a drink as part of their break time - but again, only if steps are taken to make the staff's break times safe for the children.

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

Like RupertBear we have the insulated mugs with lids at school. You can drink through the hole in the lid without removing it. You can get them for about a £1 a mug in Morrisons.

[marathonmum]

Technically as they only work for 3 hours they dont really get a break. There is no legal requirement for them to have one.
Its a difficult one. I dont want to be a crap boss but looking after your own child at home is very different to looking after other peoples. For example Ofsted do not come and expect you in your own home that god

[KatyMac]

& remember under EYFS you will be expected to keep your door to the outside open all winter - so to deprive your staff of hot drinks could approach cruelty

Will you be buying them coats to wear while working?

[marathonmum]

I'll have to get to morrisons asap then
Thanks. Every where else looks quite expensive

[KatyMac]

Umm & marathonmum they do come & inspect me in my home & I do have staff and a policy on hot drinks - but I don't deprive my staff of hot drink - I just manage their consumption

[tissy]

can you have an area within the room they work that can be fenced off with a child-proof gate? Then they can be in the room, but the children can't get to the drinks. This is what happens on our children's ward, for the resident parents, who aren't allowed hot drinks around the children.

[Shitehawk]

Ah, I crossed posts with you - you hadn't mentioned the three hour thing when I posted. That would change things for me, I think. So, ignore my first post. Now that you've given us more facts than you originally did, my answer is different.

If they are only at work for three hours then I wouldn't think you were so unreasonable to ban either hot drinks or breaks. Three hours isn't too long to expect someone to go without either.

[marathonmum]

yes Katy we have work fleeces and a free flow play policy. I would like to hear what other managers do it their settings?
Surely depriving someone of a hot drink isnt a cruel a scarring a child for life by scalding them

[KatyMac]

Shitehawk - it is if they are working outside in winter

I have an area where a member of staff can see the children but behind a gate - the staff take turns to have a drink - hot drinks are not normally carried across the playroom

[marathonmum]

So enlighten me on your policy on hot drinks Katy and how you manage to ensure the children's safety because I would like to resolve the issue with my staff
Thanks Shitehawk. Sorry if I didnt give enough info earlier

[KatyMac]

id you see my message - do you need me to elaborate more?