Lunchtime supervisor job experiences

[TashAnonymous123]

I have an interview for this position next week at my child’s school. I’ve worked with children so feel quite prepared in regards to questions about safeguarding and activities etc but unsure of my expectations. Does a lunch supervisor have to take charge of a class? Nervous to be on my own in regards to sorting behaviour. Do you generally sort first aid or send to the office?
I know I can ask questions at my interview but I’m just over thinking things 🙈
Any advice or experiences of this job would be appreciated! Thank you

In my experience (teacher not lunchtime supervisor) you will be assigned to an area of the field/playground. On wet play days, you'll be watching over one or sometimes two classes.

Small behaviour should be dealt with by you. Bigger behaviour should be dealt with by you in the moment and then passed to the teacher or maybe your manager.

First aid - usually some supervisors receive first aid training and therefore give first aid. Others would send children to them. Some schools have a policy that minor issues like cut fingers or bumped knees can be dealt with by anyone, but this varies from school to school.

Schools will vary in how they organise lunchtimes so I can only answer for my own.
currently we have 1 supervisor per class but that will be changing due to budget! Behaviour - just be firm and make sure they know what’s expected of them. Pass any behavioural issues on to their teacher after lunch (obviously deal with the situation at the time)
We do basic first aid, grazes etc Anything we’re unsure or concerned about is passed on to a trained first aider to look at.

Good luck!

This will vary but in the last three schools I’ve worked in, the MDA is assigned to a class and is respond for that class for the lunch period. You arrive at the classroom at 12, sort out who is having what food and count the right people are having the right meal/sort allergies/toileting/medication etc take them into the dinner hall, serve their food, take them out to play with first aid box, walkie talkie etc then bring them in, do toileting, sort first aid, disagreements (!!) etc and then read a sorry/play a game until the teacher takes the register.

Our lunchtime supervisors (secondary school) do not cover a class, they are there to keep an eye on behaviour, clean and tidy the eating areas.

I loved it. I'm very active so encouraged the kids to run around and play games. Never had to do anything actually relating to lunch. It was all outdoor play or inside on wet days. Be kind, be consistent. I had so many lovely cards when I left my job, it's very rewarding in my view!