Saturday 28 June 2008

That lil voice....

There is always that little voice inside, crying out... if there is even the slightest chance of a little (healthy) contact, once in a blue moon, pls go for it. I totally understand about not wanting to be around someone who will bring nothing but pain to you. I never made this choice though (to live separate lives), he did, so maybe I was luckier for it?

As a girl who's own dad never gave a monkey's about her, although it did hurt growing up, the fact I had an incredibly supportive and loving mum meant the world, and made all the difference.

Friday 20 June 2008

EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage is causing much panic and uncertainty amongst child carers in the UK.... including, yes, you guessed it, childminders!!!

A childminder looks after a child in the home environment, feeds the kiddies nutritious meals, changes nappies, toilet trains, does risk assessment, gives medication as and when needed, takes the kiddies on outings, does activities and a daily diary for the parents etc. she/he does not do formal planning/assessments/observations (with corresponding notes and photos of each child each day) etc. as teachers do at school. But now we have to :(

And... if you haven't implemented this by September 2008 you can be prosecuted!

Wha'???

I am due my Ofsted inspection any day now (eek!) it is way overdue... they have a backlog apparently.

So I have been frantically trying to implement this new programme into my daily routine, which, lets face it... cannot get any busier between 7am and 7pm, so I have to do this after hours :( I do not know if I am leaving our crucial stuff, or if I am overdoing it n some areas.

I have been up til 2:30am many mornings these last few weeks, trying to do as much admin as possible for EYFS, for the inspector. I just hope it is worth it. Because I do not have a grading yet and hope the inspector likes my service very much!!! BUT... it appears they are more keen on your admin and that you have dotted all your 'i's' and crossed your 't's' than the quality time you have with each individual child.

I will write how it pans out... cross your fingers!

Sunday 1 June 2008

Rex and Sacra!

I finally got to meet Rex... Sacra and their wonderful family!

His family came to England (and Paris!) in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary... and what a fabulous time was had by all.

Such warm and friendly folk from the States, they reminded me very much of the genuineness and closeness of my brother's American in-laws in North Carolina, so I felt right at home! Laughing and joking from the outset.