Recycling

I am keen on recycling and this means using products that would otherwise be binned! Teaching children about recycling and how they, in their small way, can help the environment, is very important.

Going home

I am a South African lass living in England - my blog is about my travels and experiences living away from home, plus has loads of info about my home country.

What I have come to realise (having been away for 6 years) is that both countries have good and bad... and it's no good to wear pink tinted glasses about either country, but to get on with living!

I am returning home in 2 years time... and even though that is where my heart is... it'll be very difficult as I have a good business in London, hubby is settled in his job, we have a lovely home etc.

BUT back we will go, because that is where our heart is. They might not have amazon, nor have all the creature comforts we are used to now, but it has sunshine and smiles and so much more in other ways.

Music of life

Music, dance and singing is fundamental in the development of a child I feel. I have a bongo drum, a tamborine, bells, a shaker, egg shakers, a rain maker and a xylaphone. I have some fun children’s CDs for background music, and music to dance along with! I also like to play classical background music at times whilst the children are at play. We do a lot of dancing, clapping, singing and laughing!

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.

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!

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.

Biopsy time

Hubby is going for a biopsy soon (heck dont the NHS take an AGE???), and this should determine if we can have children together finally. After many years of trying we will know for sure. We will then look at donor/adoption options seriously. Been looking at adoption already... stressful stuff. But, whatever it takes to be a mum and dad!

Arty farty stuff

I introduce the children to different art mediums at the level of the child, depending on their age and development. I have a comprehensive range of water colours, oils, beads (all equipment for making jewelery), handmade papers, greeting cards board, corrugated board, tracing paper, coloured paper, crayons, di-cut shapes, glitter pens, felt tip pens etc. to make creative activities with.

Resources

I have a good range of dolls, toys, puzzles, cars, trains, educational items (eg: abacus, giant flash cards, puzzles etc.). My dolls and books show ethnic differences. I believe it is important for a child to learn from an early age that difference is not a bad thing or something to be wary of, and that we need to learn to love and respect no matter what colour we are, what belief system we have, or if our legs do not move properly and we have to use a wheelchair to get around.

We learn together how to stroke and pat a doll, put it down to sleep with their own blanket, and look after it gently (which helps when toddlers mummy's are having babies!).

I have a play kitchen with a plastic tea set and eating utensils, where we *clean* our blankets together and we cook delicious meals. I have an ironing board and iron for imaginary play. They love ironing the blankets for the dolls.

I have a large bath area which is super for water play and activities for the kids and a dressing up box with hats, scarves, jewelery and handbags for dressing up.

I have a box of various large and small, soft and hard balls, depicting various sporting activities, which is handy when playing different sports with the children, plus for sensory activities.

Child led is key...

Spontaneous, imaginative and child-led play is encouraged and enjoyed, whether building a castle with our lego and blocks, or including some role play and pretending we are Bob the Builder and 'fixing stuff' round the house!