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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Are children allowed home at lunchtime?

16 replies

Tinkjon · 08/10/2009 09:46

Can children still come home for lunch? Is there a legal right to this, or is it a headteacher's decision? Or maybe they have to stay, full-stop?

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cory · 08/10/2009 09:51

Headteacher's decision. And ime not necessarily the best thing to do: can be very unsettling for the children.

Disenchanted3 · 08/10/2009 09:53

Why do you want them to come home?

Only 1 boy did this at our scholl because he had severe food allergies.

BonsoirAnna · 08/10/2009 09:53

I love bringing DD home for lunch when I can manage to, and it is so much better for her not to stay at school for lunch.

Here in France paediatricians and school teachers generally advise parents not to leave children in the canteen unless it is unavoidable.

Disenchanted3 · 08/10/2009 09:53

school. even

Original poster

Tinkjon · 08/10/2009 10:00

DD doesn't get on very well at lunchtime and it's just something I've been thinking about. There are obviously a lot of cons to this (will she be more upset when she has to go back to school, will she miss out on making friends, will she be seen as the weird kid who goes home - not to mention what a pain it would be for me personally!) but I'm wondering if the pros would outweigh the cons...

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Disenchanted3 · 08/10/2009 10:05

How old is she?

Original poster

Tinkjon · 08/10/2009 10:18

She's 6.

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LauraIngallsWilder · 08/10/2009 10:20

When I was a kid a boy at my school went home for lunch - most of us were jealous of him (he was 6)

By the time he was 8 he stayed for lunch and all was well

kittybrown · 08/10/2009 10:34

My two often come home for lunch with no problems. It's lovely. Quite a few children do it in our school. The odd day here and there. Our school's canteen is tiny and they're herded in and out very quickly and my children hate it. Some days they just come for food and then go back for the playtime which proves they're eager to get back. They also come out of school a lot happier as they have actually eaten a meal at lunch time and are not flagging and don't need a snack.
In reception the teacher actually recommends home dinners.

Hulababy · 08/10/2009 13:55

No idea of the legalities or not. Different schools have different rules.

At DD's (private) school school dinners are compulsary; the fees include them.

At the infant school (state) I work at then all children stay at school for lunch. They have either school dinner or packed lunch. Going home for dinner does not appear to be an option at all. I have no idea if it is allowed or not; but no child in the school goes home for lunch.

Seona1973 · 08/10/2009 16:35

there is a boy in dd's class that always goes home for lunch (it is apparently called a 'homer' when you have lunch at home) as he was too slow eating in the dinner hall. In the morning the class is asked whether they are having a school dinner, a packed lunch or a homer. I have only taken dd home for lunch once and she is now in primary 2.

katiestar · 08/10/2009 17:50

I don't think lunchtime is classed as part of teh school day meaning you could therefore take your child home.But I am not sure so don't quote me on that !

Shelly75 · 08/10/2009 19:23

My DS 4.5 has just started school and I have had him home for lunch a few times ..... he is quite keen to come home and matter of fact about going back. It gives him a break, he is still so young and the days are so long. I also think that they whole lunch time expereicne can be quite stressful for them - lunch in a busy canteen and unstructured play with peers in playground. I can see no harm in it, although it is nippy for me as it totally breaks up the day! I feel this is just a phase and parents should do what is best for them and their child at any given time. You ARE allowed to take them home for lunch and school can not stop you.

Merle · 08/10/2009 21:39

My child is 10 and comes home for lunch for some of the days in the week. He's done it for a few years now and wants to carry it on. I think some children benefit from a break from everyone else in the middle of the day. He stays other days, so he can play with his friends. It is quite unusual nowadays; I seem to remember when I went to school it was a bit more common. It is a bit of a nuisance of course, as it breaks the day up for me/can't go too far from home etc.

Original poster

Tinkjon · 08/10/2009 22:13

I spoke to the deputy head today and they definitely are allowed home. The Dep Head's main concern, which is my main concern, is that DD might miss out on making friends and the social aspect of school (which I think is probably the most important aspect).

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Danthe4th · 09/10/2009 20:08

I think its a great idea so long as you're a good time keeper and pick up and drop off without being late, as I would imagine that could be disruptive.

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