Dear Stacey,
Most kindergartens are not able to program an uninterrupted but unpaid meal break for employees. You eat your lunch with the children and it is counted as time worked. However, the agreement acknowledges you will get a 30 minute paid meal break. Most likely it is the last 30 minutes of each work day, after the children have gone.
The agreement says you should remain on premises for the break but this requirement can be waived. When you have finished all tasks for the day and if you have permission from the committee, you can leave work for your paid meal break. We suggest that at the start of each year the committee should state in writing what is to happen at the end of the day in relation to the paid meal breaks. Specifically, they should state clearly when your paid meal break is (eg the last 30 minutes of each day) and state whether employees are permitted to leave the premises for the paid break. Finally, there should be a statement about how long this arrangement is in place for – we suggest that it remains in place for the year.
Sherryl