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Chapter VI—Children  in Reception Areas

THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNAL MEALS.

It has been found in many districts that an arrangement for
the communal feeding of schoolchildren is extremely beneficial
both from the point of view of the householder and the children.
A satisfactory and economical diet can be provided and the
householder relieved of some of her responsibility. The double
shift school system makes it specially difficult for householders
to provide dinner both for their own children and the evacuees
living with them. The provision of a midday meal is also
specially desirable when the children have come from a distance
and are unable to return home for dinner. The question of
whether one or more meals should be provided daily and whether
they should include weekends must depend on local conditions.

The Ministry of Health and the Board of Education have
issued circulars Nos. 1916 and 1484 respectively (dated 21st
November, 1939), in which they welcome the pioneer work
which has been carried out and desire to see a speedy develop-
ment of communal feeding services in districts where local
conditions make their operation possible.

The circulars state that in view of the existing powers of Local
Education Authorities it has been agreed that any provision or
development of this service should rest with the Local Education
Authority.

W.V.S. representatives who may be organising the provision
of communal meals, require to be recognised, for this purpose,
as the agents of the Education Authority.

For financial arrangements see page 4.

If sufficient accommodation is available, evacuated mothers
and children of pre-school age should be allowed to attend the
communal feeding centre on payment of the gross cost of the
meal. Any scheme run solely for mothers and young children
would not come under the Local Education Authority.

In organising a communal feeding scheme for children it is
important that a superintendent should be chosen who will be
able not only to organise the catering and staffing arrangements,
but also to control the children.

Menus should be planned ahead to ensure variety, and a
record book kept of the meals served showing the quantities
of the ingredients used.

Attention should be paid to the children's manners. They
should wash their hands before the meal, and give up their
vouchers (see page 4). It is most important that sufficient
time should be allowed for the meal. It is always best to give
children a moderate helping to begin with, with an indication
that a second helping will be provided if required.

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