mid-day supervisor job...

lindos90

My daugher has come home today from school with a letter to parents about two vacant posts at the school for mid day supervisors (dinner ladies in old money!!)

Im just wondering if anyone had any experience about applying for a job where your children are. Perhaps the pros and cons?

Im also not sure what kind of things they would ask in an interview for this kind of post, and what it really involves (Apart from wearing a tabbard and walking round the playground...but im sure theres much more responsibility to it than that).

Im currently on a 'carer break' (but as my youngest has just started school, I need to think about getting back to some kind of work!!!) although perhaps not what I was doing before. I worked in social services, and dont have any experience as a mid day supervisor.

Anyone who is/was a mid day supervisor, can you give me any pointers please, where to start, and to boost my confidence?:o

Thank you.

cally6008

go for it

Sambucus_Nigra

lindos90 wrote: »

where to start

Call up in the morning and ask for an application form to be left at reception for you....

sare_2

I'm a TA, School Governor and MSA in the primary school my sons attend. They've always been fine with me working there and haven't been clingy but some children can be..you know yours best.

The job entails:
Helping children with their dinner e.g opening packets, cutting up food
Cleaning and tidying away tables and chairs
Patrolling the playground/field to ensure the children stay safe.
Dealing with or referring injuries
Helping children to work out arguments/fights
Looking out for loners, encouraging healthy play
Wet playtime monitoring

..and other things, but that's the bulk of it. I enjoy it, it's great in summer, not so great in the really cold weather but you're doing a much needed job. You won't need any qualifications but should be able to show good healthy and safety awareness, a willingness to be flexible, a basic understanding of children and issues that affect them and a sympathetic and caring manner. In other words, the best training is motherhood! Get applying.

lindos90

Thanks for the replies. I will get an application form tomorrow, maybe that will have some details with it, like job description, which would be helpful.

Im thinking the role involves providing a safe environment in the dining room and playground, encouraging good nutrition and trying new food, clearing away etc. If they asked me anything else all I can say is 'Tabbard' and 'ring the bell at the end' Im needing to look into it more!

My last job in social services was quite a specific role, and I felt quite confident about explaining what skills and knowledge I needed for that, but something new, even if it is straighforward, Im worried about getting tounge-tied!:o

lindos90

sare wrote: »

In other words, the best training is motherhood! Get applying.

I did think I could say, well I have no employed experience, but I have three children, does that count? but thought it sounded weak, but the way you put it, it sounds more relivent to say!

Thanks for all the pointers in your post sambucas, when I read it i kept thinking ' oh yes, of course, they do that, and that, and that'

I think I could be quite aware of the 'loners' as i was always shy at school, and would really relate to how they are feeling.

Ive spoken to my 4 year old daughter, she said she would love it if I worked at school....my nine year old son is not so enthusiastic:rotfl:, but then we spoke about a friend in his class who's mum is a TA.

....whats an MSA?

sare_2

Sorry an MSA is a Midday Supervisory Assistant.

Just been thinking and a couple of really important things that will make you sound professional. Confidentiality is paramount so emphasise you understand never to talk about anything that happens in school, especially as you will also be friends with some other mums.
Also, you need to be aware of any warning signs about child protection issues and know what to do, although the school should give you training on this, but showing you have some awareness of this will sound good.

lindos90

sare wrote: »

Sorry an MSA is a Midday Supervisory Assistant.

Just been thinking and a couple of really important things that will make you sound professional. Confidentiality is paramount so emphasise you understand never to talk about anything that happens in school, especially as you will also be friends with some other mums.
Also, you need to be aware of any warning signs about child protection issues and know what to do, although the school should give you training on this, but showing you have some awareness of this will sound good.

Brill! Thank you. Just the sort of thing I need!! The more I think about it, the more I could perhaps link my skills in social services and 'tweek' them to fit.

Confidentiality, health and safety, risk assessment, maximising independence, assessment, observation skills, communication...its what I did before, just didnt realise I could apply it to something so different! :T....all I needed was a bit of spin! (And someone to make me realise, thank you very much!)

Thank you!