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Hello all, I am so thankful for finding this forum, as I think this will be a big help for me on my new journey as deputy manager. Technically this is my first ever management role. Unfortunately, due to some unpredictable circumstances, I am the only management in at the moment, however, big boss has now had to step in, but I of course need to do jobs that I wouldn't necessarily do due to my job role being assistant deputy head. I am enjoying the challenge! The teaching and learning has not been managed well, and I am expected to ensure planning, leaning environment, areas set up, and learning outcomes are all from development matters. Could anyone please help me how to get the perfect planning in (currently using curriculum bites), what are we looking for in learning environment (curiosity approach). Any forms, or help from you lovely lot would be so appreciated, as I have had no handover and most of the time I am winging it, there has been quite a lot of improvement since I have started, boosting staff morale and making sure staff are all doing their jobs effectively. Thank you so much !!!!

We are incredibly lucky with our three local beaches. Stunning water, so clear. Obviously we do get some sewage discharged in storm weather but not very much and thankfully rarely.

That is so special - go zigzag's mum! Most of our nearest beaches are flying 'brown flags' - awful situation

I know we haven’t had it as hot here as you guys have up country, but it’s way too hot for my peri menopausal body! Hot flushes In this weather are not fun! I did go for a swim in the sea yesterday which was blissful. First time I have sea swam in a decade (im ashamed to admit that living within half a mile of the sea) then today 89 year old Mum joined me! Was so lovely.

I don't think I've ever been good in the heat!! I was at Sudbury Hall today - they have an exhibition of the costumes used in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice which were beautiful. Came home to a new book (The Story Collector by Evie Woods) and a slice of the blackcurrant cheesecake I made yesterday (delicious!) Quiet weekend here too.

Morning all, Well it certainly was hot Mon/Tues Sunnyday! I'm not a heat lover at the best of times - Weds was the perfect temp for me. Enjoy the dog sitting 😊 Have a good weekend everyone. Quiet one planned here. x

Good morning - 'tis Friday How is everyone? The practice run with granddog in preparation for his solo stay went well - not sure what I was so worried about really - hope that's not famous last words as he arrives today for his week long stay! Didn't enjoy those extreme temperatures at the beginning of the week - must be an age thing - at one time there would have been no such thing as too hot for me 🤦‍♀️🤣 Loving the tennis! Hope that the weekend is kind to all x

Better than expected, but I'll not bother again 😁

Only incidentally - I like it but rarely sit down to watch on purpose. And… How we’re they? I’m having homemade cream tea!

No... 😂😂😂 But in support, I have just had a fake M&S strawberry and cream sandwich if that counts?! 😁

Anyone for Tennis?

Look at you with the gardening young Froglet - way to go!

Hope the granddog was ok Sunnyday. How lovely to hear those stories of meeting former pupils all grown up! I was out for dinner with friends last night which was lovely and had a friend round to my place for a meal and catch up the other day. The garden is going well - I've picked my first strawberry and a couple of handfuls of sweetpeas and my 'herb garden' shelf is settling in nicely. Right now my garden is at its hottest so I've retreated inside to the cool for a little sock knitting! Have a lovely weekend all.

Hope the Granddog was ok Sunnyday! And how lovely for that Mum to email you! This reminded me of something that happened a couple of weeks ago. Whilst out walking the dogs I walked past a house and some of my old pre-school children (now giant teenagers were sat in the garden) as I went past I just said “Hello boys”. As I walked away I heard one of them ask who I was. One of the other lads said “she was our teacher at pre-school” They then started discussing their memories of a craft activity we had done! I walked away with the biggest smile on my face! The weather here is so humid (not used to that down here) flipping boiling doing my changeover today! Hoping it’s more bearable for the weekend as have a few changeovers to get through. Well I had the most beautiful bouquet delivered today, such a lovely surprise. A thank you present from one of my clients. So kind, made me a bit emotional! Have a great weekend all.

Hi all, Sunnyday - I'm on babysitting duty tomorrow 😊 Not a very exciting week, although I did go for lunch somewhere I havent been since pre-covid.... it was really run down now, and a tady bit dogdy looking 😳 It used to be such a pretty pub by a canal, I feel the cost of living may be forcing more people onto narrow boats nowadays. Not that I'm counting- but I only have 6.5 working days left (until summer break) ... and most of those are just mornings 😁 Hope everyone manges to keep cool somehow this weekend. xx

Good morning - tis Friday! How is everyone? The nicest thing happened yesterday: I was at the GP's surgery pharmacy and as I left I ran into one of my 'old' Pre-school parents and her now grown up daughter...no time to talk beyond "how lovely to see you, how are you"...imagine my surprise when yesterday evening I received an email from 'mum' updating me on the 'children' and apologising for not having time to chat...I can't believe that she still has my email address and what a lovely, thoughtful thing to do... I have a fairly busy day in prospect - one of my 'granddogs' will be delivered to me anytime now and will stay for a few hours - this is a 'practice run' as although he is very used to being here it has always been with his 'brother' who is so sadly no longer with us - he is the biggest, most beautiful retriever but he is also a big 'wuss' and I'm not sure how he will cope when my DIL leaves - hopefully I am worrying about nothing...he will be coming for a week long stay starting next Friday - wish me luck! 🐶❤️ This evening I am babysitting two youngest grandchildren! Have a lovely weekend all x

Reflection and Theoretical Perspectives in Professional Development: Reflection is an essential component of professional development, particularly in early years education, where practitioners are expected to continually evaluate and improve their practice. Reflective practice enables educators to assess their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for growth, and take intentional steps to enhance their skills and the quality of care and learning they provide. Donald Schön’s theory of reflective practice (1983): Schön emphasises that professionals grow by revisiting their experiences, analysing what worked and what didn't, and using this insight to guide future actions. This model is highly relevant in early years work, where day-to-day experiences often require quick thinking and post-reflection for ongoing improvement. Schön distinguishes between. · reflection-in-action (reflecting as the situation occurs, it helps make real-time judgment and adjust decisions immediately). · reflection-on-action (thinking after the event had happened to review the action and learn from it). Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (1984), which outlines four stages of the learning cycle, when an individual progresses through the four stages, new knowledge will be created through new experiences, which will lead to better outcomes when faced with the same situations. This cycle supports the idea that learning is an ongoing loop of doing, that requires reflecting, learning from the experience, and applying new understanding. Practitioners often apply this in their evaluations of planned activities or when considering children’s responses and needs. · Concrete Experience (directly involved in a task), · Reflective Observation (reviewing and reflecting on the experience gained), · Abstract Conceptualisation (concluding and learning from the experience gained), · Active Experimentation (planning and trying out the new ideas). Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988), a widely used model in education and training. This structure helps practitioners think more deeply about how their actions impact others and what they can improve. Several peers highlighted Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle as being particularly practical for early years settings due to its structured nature. Others mentioned the Brookfield’s Four Lenses approach, which encourages reflection through the eyes of the self, colleagues, learners (children), and theoretical literature. This perspective aligns with working in partnership and incorporating feedback from all stakeholders. Gibbs encourages reflection through six stages: · Description (of the event), · Feelings (during the event), · Evaluation (of what worked and what did not), · Analysis (of the current situation and its cause), · Conclusion (of what else could have been done differently next time), · Action Plan (if faced by the same situation, what will you do differently?).

Childminding UK - Early Years Conference 2025 Inspiring Minds Saturday 18th October 2025 • Hilton Hotel, Northampton Sponsored by Tapestry A vibrant day of learning, connection and inspiration designed especially for childminders! Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, professional development, or just a chance to recharge with like-minded professionals, this is a day not to be missed! For a full list of speakers and how to book click here aa vibrant day of learning, connection and inspiration designed especially for childminders! Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, professional development, or just a chance to recharge with like-minded professionals, this is a day not to be missed! vibrant day of learning, connection and inspiration designed especially for childminders! Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, professional development, or just a chance to recharge with like-minded professionals, this is a day not to be missed!

This is where I am at now, and we too need to lower our age group, however i have no interest in that happening. I will 100% definitely finish next July (when my GS leaves) ... but I'm not really putting my 'all' into generating numbers at the moment - so it could be Christmas.

Louby I miss absolutely NOTHING about it! And I still cannot believe I am saying that. I am totally running my life in year starting in January and have no clue of half terms etc! I love it! I just wish my Dad could have seen me leave and enjoy having left so much. He knew I had handed my notice in but died before I actually left. He said to me one day “you won’t go back will you?” I think he would have been so happy to see me stress free. I honestly think that you naturally know when the time is right to finally leave. It certainly was my time. And so glad that the pre-school has gone on to expand into full days and now takes babies! Which is what needed to happen, but I just didn’t have the commitment or energy to do it.

That hasn't happened yet - I am still working in 'terms'🤦‍♀️🤣

.... and how long does it take to start seeing the new year 'start' in January ? 😂

Full transparency - yes I do! It is however a very small price to pay 🤣

To all of those who are 'out of it' I have a serious question..... What about the stationary fix? Do you not miss the joy of new folders, pens, diaries etc? ... and not to mention 'work bags'!

This weather just makes life so much better doesn't it! Sunnyday I completely agree with you, once my job is done by mid morning the rest of the day is mine! I absolutely love it. Have done early dogs walks this week and have enjoyed a few paddles in the sea. Got a busy weekend of changeovers which is going to be hot but hopefully they will be reasonably quick! Have a lovely weekend all.