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.

Baking, baking, baking

Yet more baking for the fete my daughter is performing at we have:

Decorated cake to raffle (finished)
Decorated cake to give to teacher to say thanks (finished)
Decorated fairy cakes to sell (finished - 53)

Plus the name of the school spelt out in fairy cakes

& I am tired & I have to start again on Wednesday for the Jubilee for the children

Baking today

The smell of flapjack fills the setting; the children stand close to the kitchen to savour it.  They helped to make it & will eat it after their lunch - the only issue seems to be leaving a big enough piece for me!

It's our jubilee party next week and this is a dry run to see if they work in my oven.  If they are a success they will be a regular menu item.