Dinner lady interview tomorrow!!!

[Charlottelouiseox]

Hi! I have a interveiw tomorrow, at my children's school for a dinner lady. They've contacted my references already, is that a good or bad sign? I've been out of work for quite a while, but I'm ready to get back out here.

Any tips or advice? I am literally pooping myself.

What sort of questions and answers should I expect?

It may not come up but have a look at safeguarding issues. It's everyone's duty to report if they think there is something wrong in a child's life. I don't work in a school so you will have to Google it.
I should imagine you might have to talk about food hygiene if you are going to be handling food. And health and safety in the kitchen/playground?
No idea really but I wish you the best of luck !

Congratulations on your interview.

Some things to think about:
Being prepared for children with allergies

Ask about process if child doesn't have money

Definitely safeguarding, in a general sense

Preparing a nutritious menu plan

Brilliant thank you!

I've been reading the schools policy on safeguarding and child protection and what would job enrol.

The question that usually throws me of is if I have anything to ask them? I don't want to say no and not seem interested

Safeguarding will be No1.

A question we always ask is: "if you are supervising in the playground and a child runs out if the school gates/ premises, what would you do?"

Ime, decent applicants are few and far between so you have a very good chance.

References are always taken before interview - it's a requirement of safer recruitment (safeguarding)

At our school we have prospective midday come in and do a lunchtime rather than a formal interview as we've found the best ones are people from backgrounds where they won't have much interview experience, so don't perform well, but do interact very well with the children

I don't understand questions like that Blackdogley. Surely you have a policy for that which will be covered in the induction. It doesn't matter what the interviewee thinks is the right thing to do. It matters that she knows and implements the policy once she's started.

If they ask why you want the job doing tell them it will fit nicely round the children, that just sounds like you only want the job because it's convenient.

Don't tell them it will fit nicely round the children

Thank you for all your tips!
Blackdoglet. Honestly I'd have no idea how I would answer that. However I'd raise alarm and I would try my best talking and encouraging the child back in, how would you expect someone to answer that?

Best thing is not to go after the child because if they run away from you straight into the road you could be at fault if they get run over. If there is an opportunity to talk to the child keep repeating you cannot keep them safe while they are outside the school, and yes definitely let someone know before you do anything

Oh yes, I didn't even realise that could be a possibility. I have lots of homework tonight

Let us know how you get on

Hippo is right. Also you shouldn't chase after them (which is a natural reaction!) as you'd be leaving the rest of those in your charge without supervision.
I agree with PP that there should be policies and procedures in place that you'll read on induction, but they may not cover every scenario and you wouldn't be expected to know all the procedures at interview.

Brilliant thank you for all you're tips!! I hope I don't start talking jiberish or get the paw patrol song in my head🙈

Here's hoping!! Will keep you updated!

If you want to be a dinner lady like mine was you could 'graze' as we called it. One of them liked to walk around and pinch a bit of food from each kid.

Interview went well. I think my experience working in and around children let me down. But they didn't say when I'd find out by. Not knowing going Tod rove me crazy

Still no phone call or letter... usually other jobs I found out straight away!

I would imagine they are on half term holiday at the moment though