Smirthwaite Sunni Cafeteria Chair: a support seat for lunch tables

In many school lunchrooms the seating is fixed: rows of stools attached to the tables. For a young child who needs a little more support, that can mean eating somewhere else, apart from friends. The Smirthwaite Sunni Cafeteria Chair is designed to change that, and it is now on our shelf.

What it is and who it suits

Smirthwaite built the Sunni as a combined booster and supportive seat for young children with additional needs, with an age guide running from 8 months up to age 5. Instead of replacing the lunchroom seat, it attaches to it: Smirthwaite says adjustable mounting brackets let it fit securely onto most standard cafeteria stools and canteen seating, and onto dining chairs at home. The point, in the maker's words, is for a child to sit at "the exact same seating height" as classmates or family.

The armrests flip up, so lifting a child in and out takes a moment rather than a struggle. The frame is made in Devon, England, from wood that Smirthwaite describes as anti-microbial, and the seat pads wipe clean after a messy meal. The chair is light, so staff can take it off and put it away when the lunchroom is cleared.

A therapist or clinician can advise on size and set-up, including whether the high back or the footrest is a good idea.

Key specs

These figures come from Smirthwaite's Sunni page. Each size comes with a standard back or a high back (HB) for taller children.

• Age guide: 8 months to age 5
• Maximum user weight: 33 lb on size 1, 55 lb on size 2
• Seat width: 8.9 in (size 1), 10.9 in (size 2)
• Seat depth: 8.3 in (size 1), 10.2 in (size 2)
• Back height: 10 in (1), 13.9 in (1 HB), 11.1 in (2), 16.1 in (2 HB)
• Armrest height: 5.9 in (size 1), 6.9 in (size 2)
• Seat pad thickness: 1.3 in; back angle 96°
• Chair weight: 7 lb, 8 lb, 9 lb or 10 lb (1, 1 HB, 2, 2 HB)

We offer all four versions in Teal, Lime or Cobalt. Before ordering, it is worth checking the stool or chair the Sunni will sit on; Smirthwaite says it fits most standard ones, which is not quite the same as all of them.

What's in the box

According to Smirthwaite, every Sunni includes a 3-point harness, and its seat pads are the wipe-clean kind. A footrest and a wooden tray are sold separately.

Warranty

Here is how Smirthwaite's terms and conditions word the warranty:

• Materials and workmanship are guaranteed for 2 years from delivery.
• The warranty excludes accident, neglect, misuse, not following the instructions and normal wear and tear.
• Not following the instructions may invalidate the warranty.
• For a claim, contact Smirthwaite Customer Services, who advise on next steps.

Related products on our shelf

• Smirthwaite Sunni Chair Footrest and Tray, the two add-ons made for this seat.
• Smirthwaite Zoomi High Chair, a freestanding high chair that grows with a child.
• Smirthwaite Felix School Chair, a stackable armchair for the classroom.

Find more in our seating and positioning collection.

Shipping

The Sunni ships by lift-gate delivery, which adds a $175 charge to the order. We send orders to the lower 48 states and DC, free on orders over $500 and $15 on smaller orders, and we cover the sales tax. Schools and families can check timing on the shipping by state page or contact us at info@faithmobility.com.

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See the Smirthwaite Sunni Cafeteria Chair on Faith Mobility.

Sources

• Smirthwaite: Sunni canteen chair
• Smirthwaite: Terms and conditions (warranty)