To not want my child to have to eat outside in November?

[Verycold]

Found out today that at my ds's junior school the children have repeatedly been made to eat their packed lunch outside, even after half term. They have a system where they only eat in classrooms if it's wet, otherwise they supposedly all eat in the hall and get called in bit by bit when there is room - or so we thought until it we found out otherwise today! Would this bother you? Not very comfortable to eat outside in the cold surely?

[RooneyMara]

that was to Colditz.

Teddy, I'm not entirely stupid! I wear a decent thick coat, in fact today I wore one with a fleece layer and then a waterproof layer on top (Regatta) and I wear proper (men's) boots and thick socks.

If I have to dress my child up in ski wear for them to eat outside as you seem to be suggesting, the school will probably object.

[RooneyMara]

The majority of the 5yos I know don't just have a sandwich and a banana.

[RooneyMara]

Sorry if I sound snippy. I am snippy and it isn't your fault.

[TeddyBare]

Surely putting more clothes on the child is easier than building a whole new hall / cutting budget from something else to pay more dinner ladies and cleaners. If dc are too cold in the clothing they're currently wearing then the only logical solution is to send them in more appropriate clothes.

[AThingInYourLife]

In DD1's school they eat in the classroom before going out to play.

Doesn't seem to cause any problem.

The "appropriate clothing" argument is bullshit.

I don't get to choose what my child wears to school. She wears the regulation uniform.

She has a warm coat, hat and scarf and gloves. She has a vest underneath.

That's all that's at my discretion.

I would wrap her warmer than that if I was taking her to eat one of her main meals of the day outdoors.

Luckily she goes to a school that doesn't think it's good for children to be forced to endure things most adults would not be prepared to suffer.

[seeker]

Anybody would think it was the bloodynNorth Pole or something.

It's parents like your lot that meqntnitnwhenntshensaidnthe children aren't allowed to go out and play in the snow at school, or are made to staynin if it looks like rain. Be thankful your school has some sense, OP!

[surroundedbyblondes]

YANBU. Playing or having a snack outside = fine. Not having facilities to eat indoors doesn't sound very nice. Here in Sweden the kids eat their lunch indoors unless you've chosen to send your kids to an outdoor school ( not mainstream by any means )

[diddl]

How many on here who think it´s fine ate their school lunch outside?

[RooneyMara]

Seeker would you really choose to eat your lunch outside every day?

If so - do you actually do it? And if not why not if it's so great?

[colditz]

I did, and I think it's fine. I don't remember ever disliking it.

[Almostfifty]

They're having lunch before they run around outside. I'm sure most of them are fine about it.

So long as they're not expected to eat outside when it's raining or blowing a hooley, I really can't see what the fuss is about.

[RooneyMara]

I ate my lunch outside at secondary school because I was a social outcast and the classroom wasn't the nicest place.

It was cold and uncomfortable.

[AThingInYourLife]

You can be in favour of children going out to play all winter long and still think they should be able to eat their lunch in shelter with tables to sit at.

[NamingOfParts]

I mentioned upstream that the primary school my DCs went to was in a very deprived area. Some of the children there dont have one full set of uniform let alone good shoes and coat.

Maybe that is the parents' fault but it sure as hell isnt the children's.

If the school has a problem with space then it is up to the school management to find a solution. Children have always been messy eaters - a broom and some cloths will help with this. Teach them to clean up after themselves (this will never be a waste of time!). If there is space for the children to be taught inside then there is space for them to eat inside.

It is already for the hearty outdoorsy types to say they are happy eating outside - it isnt about them.

[AndiMac]

If there's room for them inside on rainy days, there's room for them inside on cold days.

[diddl]

I´m nearly 50 & "in my day" at my school-school dinners were the norm for most.

Packed lunches were rare & girls who didn´t like school dinners tended to be thought of as a bit fussy

I have a feeling I remember when a table was put aside in the dining hall specifically for the packed lunchers!

[Hulababy]

No idea what we'd do if all children had school dinners tbh. I guess they'd have to change the whole school day set up to have two different munch breaks for different years. It's an old Victorian building like many schools near here. We don't have enough room. Two classes are already in temporarily buildings, so temp they've been there years. There just is no way all children could sit and eat in the hall within the 1hr10min lunch break. Hence we used to use classrooms and still do if wet.

We do have picnic benches, normal benches and wooden seating structures outside which is where the children sit to eat.

As for the cold - not sure. We are still having to tell children daily that they need a coat on for playtime and done parents are still not sending children with coats.

But no so far there has been no complaints. Y1/2 packed lunches are eating outside, only started this year. The children seem to prefer it to sitting in a classroom. Reception all eat in the hall. I have no idea how far into the winter they plan to do it. Like I said its new here and I was surprised myself. Maybe if children and parents complain they won't do it??? I really don't know. The teachers and tas don't make the rules and usually don't do the lunch supervision either.

[Hulababy]

I remember eating outside when in sixth form and maybe fifth form. That's through choice too as we'd go to the local shops and eat it walking back.

In first and middle school most stayed for dinner, rest went home for dinners.

[NigellasGuest]

sounds like staff are being lazy - easier to clear up after children who have been eating outside

[BoneyBackJefferson]

NigellasGuest
"sounds like staff are being lazy - easier to clear up after children who have been eating outside"

Spoken like someone who hasn't got a clue.

[AndiMac]

Oh, and you do?

[RooneyMara]

It was one of the possible reasons given in someone's post BBJ.

[seeker]

"It is already for the hearty outdoorsy types to say they are happy eating outside - it isnt about them." But children are all outdoorsy types unless they have been programmed not to be!

[RooneyMara]

Mine love to play outside but when it's really cold they come in within a few minutes. They hate wearing coats, it's almost impossible to make them wear coats, and they run around like made at school when I drop them off - but still, they do feel the cold and to sit still outside for half an hour or whatever would not be the same as running about.

Did you see my question yesterday Seeker? I'd be interested in your answer if you have a mo.

[seeker]

If I had the choice between eating in a crowded, noisy school hall, or eating at the desk where I worked all the rest of the day so that my work place smelled like peperami or outside on a bench I would go for outside every time, unless it was actually raining.

And I find it hard to believe- and I have been present at many school
Lunch times that children take 30 minutes to eat their packed lunch! If they do, maybe they should be given easier things to eat.