Lunchtime Pause

Last spring, we reviewed our daily rhythm at our holiday clubs, identifying pinch points in the day.

Lunchtime stood out as a time that often became rushed. Lunches required a lot of coordination: opening packaging, fetching spoons, tissues, water and furniture. Adults often spent more time managing logistics than simply sitting and enjoying lunch with the children.

Aiming to reduce friction, increase independence, and ease, we now have a self-service lunch station with spoons, scissors, kitchen roll, drinking water, washing up facilities, separate bins, dishcloths, blankets (for cold knees if outside), table water sprays and a dustpan and brush.

Our seating options offer choice and flexibility for solo time and small groups, both indoors and outdoors, and we allow plenty of time for the children lay out place names, lunch boxes, water bottles and if they wish, table cloths and flowers, in their chosen areas. Once everyone is seated, a child rings a bell to signal that we are ready to begin.

With these small shifts, lunchtime has become a relaxing, social and nourishing part of the day, a moment to savour.