Do you all use kitchen/dining room table?

[stargazer1]

This is probably going to be a bit of a daft question ..

We sacrificed our dining room to have a playroom. Our kitchen isnt big enough for a dining room table. As a family me and hubby basically eat of our laps (using plates obviously!! :D) and my DD and DS have their little chairs at the coffee table in my living room.

Have been using the coffee table also for mindees. Can fit four around comfortably, they have small chairs and it is laid up like a table. Do you think this is ok and inspector would be happy with it?? Do they expect us to use a kitchen or dining room? (I dont have room.)

[April05]

I had this problem last year when i gave up my dining room for a play room. I brought a butterfly table from dunelm and all the chairs sit inside and it folds down fairly small, when using it fully out i can sit 5 but can't walk around it when it's up so i put it up at the last minute before using.
http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/rubberwood-butterfly-table-with-4-chairs-49938

[Helen Dempster]

I can't see that this would be a problem. Sounds like you still have it set up the same, just a smaller version, and it sounds like you still teach good table manners etc....so, nope I don't think it's a problem. My son sits at a small table for his dinner (hubby and I have ours on our lap), and still asks if he may leave the table when he's finished. I sit the mindees at the dining room table, but that's mainly because I strap them into booster seats that don't fit the smaller chairs (and they would keep getting up and down all the time while eating if I didn't!)

[SJ35]

I had this problem last year when i gave up my dining room for a play room. I brought a butterfly table from dunelm and all the chairs sit inside and it folds down fairly small, when using it fully out i can sit 5 but can't walk around it when it's up so i put it up at the last minute before using.
http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/rubberwood-butterfly-table-with-4-chairs-49938

i NEED one of these tables!!! hmmm might have to see if i can sort the pennies for this :)

I have a table in my kitchen but its too big for it really and i struggle to get round it when all the chairs are being used.

Stacey

[dawn100]

At pre-schools / nursery they have child sized tables not adult sized tables so I can't see why they would have a problem with u adapting a coffee table for the children and therefore they children are using a child sized table. If that makes sense

[Boris]

I did the same - sacrificed the dining room for playroom. I got rid of our table and used a little ikea table for LO's to eat at. I really missed the table and having the family all sat together rather than on laps so a few weeks ago I bought a table and 4 chairs from Gumtree. I got boosters for the children and use highchairs too. It is smaller than our old table and fits in the corner of the playroom.

I think Ofsted would be fine with either so just go with whatever suits your needs xx

[Chimps Childminding]

I can't see why using a coffee table is any different to using a child sized table!!! Shouldn't be a problem for Ofsted I would have thought!!!

[butterfly]

If you are subject to a FCEERS inspection (we are as specialists in Devon) they will love it! They believe you should use child sized furniture rather than adult-sized for children! Nurseries all use child sized tables for lunch!

[manjay]

If you are subject to a FCEERS inspection (we are as specialists in Devon) they will love it! They believe you should use child sized furniture rather than adult-sized for children! Nurseries all use child sized tables for lunch!

You won't find many FCCERs inspections in Wales:thumbsup:

What you are doing Stargazer sounds absolutely perfect. I do have a table in my kitchen but the children use a fold away Gopak table. Child sized furniture promotes independence and that is what you should focus on at your inspection.

[stargazer1]

Thank you all! Love the link for the table above ... need to earn some more pennies and maybe I can justify the expense! :D

Thanks Manjay for clarifying. Always forget when I post in this bit that I should state I am in Wales.

Glad its ok. Its always been fine for us and our little people but then I just started worry a bit that I should be offering something more "substantial", if thats the right word. All my mindees love it.

Thanks all xxx

xxxxxxxx Oh and please please please keep your eyes peeled for April xxxxxxxxxx