First day back after the holidays

& it's a very stressful week

All the children that are going haven't gone yet and all the ones that are starting have started already.  No-one really wants to work extra as it's the last weeks of the holidays (but everyone does) and school is looming!

Cost, it's always about cost

I was doing a fete yesterday (& today as well actually); giving away bags of playdough and a leaflet about childcare.

So many people didn't know there was a nursery in our village - which is quite sad considering we have been here for 9 years.

And so many peoples first question was about how much is it?  I know we are all strapped for cash (indeed I am terribly broke myself) but is the first question about potential childcare really about money?  Rather than standard of care or safety or education?

I feel something needs to change

EYPS

I'm studying for my Early Years Professional Status; and while writing today I'm realising how good we are at childcare and education.

It's been surprising and very enlightening.  However, most parents won't ask about or even care about this knowledge and learning my team & I possess.  Most of my parents prioritise hours, meals or hourly rate - which is emotionally hard for me.

Our books are 'uninspiring'

According to OFSTED

Which makes me sad; so I moved a lot today & then changed a whole load back.

I have issues with keeping paper books away from babies & I don't approve of 'book corners' as books should be distributed throughout the setting so children can see they are everyday and normal, not that you have to visit a special place to get them

& I don't have a lot of room

I have:
a rainbow row of 'That's not my' books
2 low boxes with board books in (spine showing) I can't turn them so there is a box with spine uppermost as there is a piano/keyboard on top of them
3 high shelves with paper books on
Tub with mini books in
Low shelf with board books (spine showing)
2 cloth shelves with books face showing
a basket of books that travels

I guess I need to think clever, or at least more clever than I am right now

the pre-school tender

After lots of discussions around regretting it if I don't - we have decided not to re-tender for the pre-school.

I'm not sure the people offering the tender know what they want and the feedback they have given me is about issues I addressed clearly.  So it's pointless, it would be rude to re-submit it identically and I don't know how to change it.

I also have good news & bad news.  The good news is I had a day off, the bad news is I was so poorly I went to bed

Another day and a discussion about child protection

Is it appropriate to send a parent a photo of a child in the morning showing that they have calmed down and are fine?

I understand the concepts about mobile phones & photos; but I feel the reassurance is massive

A funny old week

TWO bank holidays & a planned day off made this a very busy week

The bank holidays were lovely - peaceful and calm before half-term; which is always busier than a normal week.

My planned day off didn't happen; but these things often fail to go to plan

Our Jubilee Party was a great success; lots of cake and even some rare (for June 2012) sunshine.  OFSTED visited on the same day and a childminder working for me got a Good with Outstanding bits, we can't wait to read the report & we have another inspection this week.

The proposal for the pre-school is due in this week, but without feedback on what went wrong last time, I am at a loss on how to proceed.