Access fo fresh drinking water

[mumofone]

One of the EYFS requirements is for children to have access to fresh drinking water all day but from a childminders point of view does this literally mean having clean running water in your house and being able to provide it to children upon request OR does it mean having a jug/cup of water available to children within their own reach at all times? Sorry if this is a dumb question!

[tonib]

Hi! My lot have their own water bottles which I check are filled regularly and kept on a tray where they can reach them. I don't like the idea of a jug so they can pour their own - too many spill ages! They fill the bottles themselves if they are able too.

Don't know if this is correct in ofsteds eyes but it has worked well for us.

Toni x

[natlou82]

I do pretty much the same. I tried the jug and cups with the older ones once but they couldn't lift it easily, it was a potential nightmare lol x

[Mouse]

I put sports bottles on the table and refresh them during the day. The children are taught to go and sit at the table if they want a drink. They also learn which is their drink & not to take anyone else's!

[moggy]

Mine are 1-3 year olds and have sippy cups (with fold-down nozzle) of water on the table to access when they need, also use them for meals. Different colour each.

[sing-low]

My Development Officer told me that if I didn't have water available for the children to access themselves, then I would have to be frequently asking the children if they wanted a drink. Sounded like far too much work to me (and the sort of thing I would be bound to forget during an inspection!) so I have lidded cups (each child has their own colour) on a low shelf.

[hectors house]

Mine all have different coloured cups - the younger children have ones with lids and have them down on the floor with them when they are playing, older children have theirs on corner of the table with a jug half filled with water on a tray also on table - if they want more drink they know they can sit up to table and pour more water or ask me to do it for them.

[Simona]

Hi! My lot have their own water bottles which I check are filled regularly and kept on a tray where they can reach them. I don't like the idea of a jug so they can pour their own - too many spill ages! They fill the bottles themselves if they are able too.

Don't know if this is correct in ofsteds eyes but it has worked well for us.

Toni x

Your system works very well and used by many providers who also use water bottles like you do.....not much an inspector can object to because we are following the EYFS guidance and water is available at all times!!!

Many CMs also label the water bottles with the child's name.....a bit of literacy thrown in for good measure as well!

[tess1981]

Our social workers ask do children have access to fresh drinking water and as long as we say yes that's it covered ... I would not leave cups jugs or bottles out too many spills and fight over she took my cup or bottle if they want a drink they know to ask

[Simona]

Our social workers ask do children have access to fresh drinking water and as long as we say yes that's it covered ... I would not leave cups jugs or bottles out too many spills and fight over she took my cup or bottle if they want a drink they know to ask

Jugs can cause spillages and that is something you can decide on but sports' bottles have lids which the children can close themselves and learn a few more skills.
Children can mop up a few water drops and that would link to areas of learning and caring for the environment

Yes there maybe a few fights at first maybe but the children soon get used to going for their own bottles without any problem ...especially when they start to recognise their own name on it and bring it back to you saying it is 'half full ' or 'half empty' ...

[tess1981]

Jugs can cause spillages and that is something you can decide on but sports' bottles have lids which the children can close themselves and learn a few more skills.
Children can mop up a few water drops and that would link to areas of learning and caring for the environment

Yes there maybe a few fights at first maybe but the children soon get used to going for their own bottles without any problem ...especially when they start to recognise their own name on it and bring it back to you saying it is 'half full ' or 'half empty' ...

I know they would quickly figure out who owns what bottle but I have two 2yo who would touch each others bottles to wind each other up... They spend the entire day thinking of ways to make the other cry

[Simona]

I know they would quickly figure out who owns what bottle but I have two 2yo who would touch each others bottles to wind each other up... They spend the entire day thinking of ways to make the other cry

Oh yes...2 year olds seem to have perfected the 'winding each other up' art...the best bit is when they try and mop up the spillages with a mop and accidentally hit each other...Oh dear those are real screams!!!

[tess1981]

Oh yes...2 year olds seem to have perfected the 'winding each other up' art...the best bit is when they try and mop up the spillages with a mop and accidentally hit each other...Oh dear those are real screams!!!

Makes me so glad I cm in n.Ireland. don't have as many rules to follow lol

[Jayse74]

I bought my wife this "Monkey" water dispenser. Much like the water things you get in offices and waiting rooms but aimed at younger people hence the monkey theme/design. The Mindee's love it! When it was first placed on the table, it was a focal point and they were all wanting to have a go.

They can easily fill their own cup using it, so as long as the water container is filled with fresh water they are happy

[Dragonfly]

I don't like sports bottles at home. Would rather children/toddlers use cups and use them properly ( lidded for under twos who have yet to master the no lidded cup)

[loocyloo]

I have a small lidded jug on the table, along with plastic beakers ( would like to use glass, but with a tiled floor, just can't quite bring myself to use them yet! ) children help themselves and its out of reach for the littlies!

under 18mth/2 yrs ( depending upon child ) they have a lidded cup, but not one of those 'need super suck strength' ones! normal ones that pour over the floor should they wish to do so !!

sometimes we take sports bottle out with us, and other times I take a bottle of water and a collection of plastic beakers.

[Simona]

Makes me so glad I cm in n.Ireland. don't have as many rules to follow lol

Couldn't agree with you more!!!
Hurray for N Ireland if it has eliminated the obvious from some nonsensical rules!
Sometimes I wonder if we see rules where there aren't any just to be 'scared' of Ofsted?

[tess1981]

Couldn't agree with you more!!!
Hurray for N Ireland if it has eliminated the obvious from some nonsensical rules!
Sometimes I wonder if we see rules where there aren't any just to be 'scared' of Ofsted?

When I read all the paperwork and eyfs work that has to be done in England Scotland and Wales I wonder how the poor cms even get a chance to play with the children or change a nappy. I always thought cm in a home should feel like a home. I don't display art much I stick it to the kitchen door then send it home that day. If they want a lazy day they have it. I take out a box of toys each day but do not leave art and craft stuff out. I either plan this or the children ask can they colour in. I do have a Facebook page I post to so parents see what we made. No learning journeys or 2 years checks.

[Jiorjiina]

Sports bottles or lidded cups here for outside of meal times (including outings), cups or glasses and a jug on the table for during meal times. All three or under here during the day, so lidded cups/sports bottles because attention tends to wander and they get dropped or left lying around waiting to be knocked over...

[CSR2014]

As you will see from the posts most follow the guidelines in their own way!! As always, the Inspectors are looking to see that the children have clean, fresh water and access at all times. How everyone provides this is open to personal choice!!