New build dilemmas..

New build dilemmas..

by: Lisa593 - 17-01-13 13:00

Hello,

I am one of the trustees for a charity run nursery. The committe and myself are currently trying to purchase a new building (Timber stand alone structure) to replace the old portacabin that we using at present, and are coming across a few conflicting ideas on the layout from external bodies.

As a Health and Safety Manager and trainee teacher, I am aware of the legislation linked to buildings being used for childcare but the ideas seem to be more opinion based, rather than legislative.

What is the policy on kitchens in nursery settings, in regards to -

Are children allowed into the main kitchen area to observe cooking practices,or should a dedicated area be created for this? (so we would have a table top cooker visible for baking rather than a full cooker, kettle and storage area which is being recommended)

Should a kitchen be open plan or confined to a seperate room?

We have been advised that we would be making a 'massive mistake' should we take away an existing open kitchen, as we are taking away the opportunity for children to watch then mimic kitchen activities.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated, many thanks in advance, Lisa.

by: bagpuss

Consider your chef cooking with boiling water, hot pans and sharp utensils and then consider if children would be allowed in at that particular moment and if not how are you going to keep them out of an open plan kitchen? If however there is going to be a way of keeping them from underfoot during main meal preparation go with it. 

by: Lisa593

That is exactly my concern, I don't believe that the children should have access to a fully working kitchen.

But it was a local authority representative who said that we should allow children to see cooking activities.

Is there anything in pre-school education criteria that specifically requires children to see the 'whole' cooking process, so looking at ovens and how they work?

I personally from a H&S point of view would prefer the kitchen to be seperately contained, therefore removing the hazard altogether.

How do other people manage cookery sessions with pre-schoolers??

by: Tiggy D

Nice idea but kitchens need to be hygenic and children need to be safe. Some sort of viewing hole/window might be needed.How about if you kept the hot oveny and boiling water  bits of the kitchen out the way and children could observe more mixing and chopping cookery on a table top.

It is rather hard when several experts all advise different thing.

by: whmon

Could you keep it as it is but put an indoor safety fence across it so that the children can see what is going on but can't get in amongst the hot pans?

by: Lisa593

I am trying to get clarification as to where the person who has advised us to have the kitchen open, has got their information from. It would be interesting to see how they try to support their advice with actual evidence that relates to ofstead or other governing body..

Having the kitchen open with an internal safety gate is an option, but I feel that having it completely enclosed would be safer.

by: kaz (the first one!)

I would cetainly go for a seperate kitache as the open one would be a risk assessment nightmare! Both my settings do cooking weekly with the children and most can be done in the main play areas as child size tables in a controleed environment. Staff then take the food to be cooked to the kitchen which has a hatch and a gated door way so she can talk to the children as she is putting in the oven/on the hob. There needs to be  aplace that you can use hot wate/ prepare msnacks that is away from children, it's common sense.

by: CJ

how about a raised viewing area with safety glass into the kitchen- or even open ? children can then see it in action!