Free flow tips and rolling snack.

Free flow tips and rolling snack.

by: Happiness - 15-07-10 15:12

Hi everyone, I have taken to my new role as manager really well. I'd like someideas/tips on rolling snack, staffing it, how long it should last, and what happens to children that do not take up snack etc. I'd also like to know how free flow works in larger settings (community Centre with outdoor area attatched) with regards to staff ratios etc and staff deployment. I'd also be interested in any views regarding adult/child led activitys balanced though - I guess I'm looking at daily routine structure. I know it's alot but I'd like to improve on what we already have.

by: Angie

Hello Happiness

Within our setting our rolling snack is between 10.00-10.30. We let the children know the snack bar is open and have up to 4 children at any one time. This took the children quite a bit of time to adjust to as we had a row of waiting chairs. Once the children knew that they could come and go they got used to it. We dont have any chidlren waiting now. A member of sfaff sits with the children to support with cutting and to discuss the benefits of eating fruit etc, tastes and textures to support vocabulary.

We let the children know that the snack bar will be closing 5 minutes before the end. Most children will come in during that time to have a snack. We will also have water stations outside all day to prevent dehydration and regular stops during the day where children gather together to have a drink (this prompts the ones who wouldnt usually stop to have a drink).

Hope this helps.

RE: RE: Free flow tips and rolling snack. - 23-07-10 21:35

by: billabong

We have moved away from 'rolling snack'. It was a total nightmare, everyone hated manning it and it was very staff intensive. So, instead we did an across the board 'snack time' which incorporated a  'themed cafe' and every child had a chance to experience the cafe at least one day a week, There are opportunities to serve customers, man the till, wash up and be a customer. The children love it and so do the staff.

by: Happiness

Thank you for all your ideas. I love the cafe theme... Can you elaborate on the across the board snack time?

Would you still have a staff member to oversee the cafe?

Would you insist that every child had snack or a drink or is it free choice? If so how do you ensure that every child has had a drink throughout the morning?

Apologies for asking too many questions only our snack time isn't working it is a rolling snack but it's too structured, time wise, staffing, little independent choosing etc. I'd really like to improve it.