Interview for a dinner lady - scared & nervous

financial_filly

Firstly apologises if this is in the wrong place but I wasn't sure where to post.

I have decided to apply for a dinner lady position at my ds school and have just got a letter telling me I have been invited for an interview at the school on 5th December *nervous smilie*:j

I wasn't planning on going back to work yet (as we were going to have more kids but 2 late miscarriages put pay to that plan although we are trying again) and we are lucky enough for me to stay at home although we have lived within our means and no luxuries but i consider being able to be there for my ds all the time the biggest luxury i could have:o I thought it would be good for me to get back into the working world and I wanted something to fit around ds - which is almost impossible as i am sure you all know but since I havent worked since 2002 I am quite nervous.

Having never worked in this area before (i worked in an estate agents:o before i left to have ds)I could really do with some advice. What sort of questions will they ask? and despite not working with children before (except years ago when I was 16yrs I worked with a teacher at a local school for 3-4months while doing my gcse's) will being a sahm and keeping my ds entertained and happy etc count in my favour ?

Sorry to ramble on ( i will try not to in the interview) but any help & advice you can give me before the big day would be much appreciated.

thanks xxx

VickyA_2

To be honest, I'm not sure what questions they will ask you but you have the most important work experience ever - current work at keeping your little one happy and well disciplined. At the school that I work in, the "Mid-day supervisors" (ie dinner ladies) are mediators, discipline enforcers (say that you will help to implement the school's behaviour policy, whatever that may be), help with playground games (you wouldn't believe the number of children that can't play tig or stuck in the mud!!!).

Be sure to tell them how you have eyes in the back of your head. Always goes down a treat!

Best of luck! Sounds like you're really keen and that will shine through.

teagan1966

hi there
iv just started work as one of these !, i started in sep and i went 4 the interview my first in over 20 yrs !!, a lot of the questions i was asked was about food hygine etc luckly i had just done a course on this and i got the job but i have 2 say its very hard work and a lot harder than what i ever thought !
just reading throu ur message im not quite sure if u mean 2 work in the kitchens or just supervise at dinner time if u need any help with any q please ask
teagan

Madmel

I think you already have the most essential qualifications & experience by being a mum! As Vicky says, being able to mediate and keep the children busy are the most important skills. It's a really positive way to interact with the children, and for some kids, a sympathetic dinner lady is a real friend to them.

My kids' school has had problems with getting MTAs recently; the best one we had was a grandmother of 2 of the kids and she was fantastic. She organised games like skipping, having half the (small) school joining in enthusiastically. The kids adored her and we were gutted when she left.

I think that if I was in your position, I would have a couple of questions (IMHO interviews are a 2-way process). What rewards or sanctions do you have? Are you expected to adhere to the school's behaviour policy (and can you have a copy of it)? This has come up in my kids' school. Good luck with it all!!!