Is it just me?...

[green hippo]

Hi there,

I've ummed and arrrred about writing this post but as everyone here is so supportive, I've decided to write it.

So, at the moment I'm pretty much overcome by anxiety about the beginning of the new term. I'm not worried about the new children and new parents - I enjoy that part! It's just everything else surrounding education at the moment. I hate observations, when I'm in the classroom I'm constantly thinking about 'what if OFSTED came in?, I know that I will quickly let school take over all my thinking time and worry about how everything is working, whether I'm doing enough and whether it is 'right'.. My observations have always been good or better and my head and deputy are both supportive and like what I do, I have noreal idea why I get myself into such a mess.

Is there a key to a work/life balance? I think that if I don't care so much then I won't care enough if that makes sense.

So, is it just me or does anyone else feel the same?

Thanks,

Green Hippo x

[Melba]

Yes!

Not all that time maybe but far too much of it. A lot of the time I feel as if I am just waiting for some disaster to strike.

And, like you, there are people around supporting me.

Must be the sort of character that ends up working with children. However, I do feel that I have learned huge amounts about life, people, myself...

[zigzag]

Have to say it could be me writing your post. Lots of changes for my setting when we return and we are five years plus since our last inspection and I am convinced they are going to come in our first weeks back! I already feel under so much pressure and we are not even back!!

[louby loo]

Not a teacher, but manage a preschool.

I love my job - the team, the children,... and even the parents

But I hate the red-tape, hoop jumping, goal moving b*** **** t that goes with it.

I'm dreading going back to be honest, I know we do a good job - the children are happy, the parents are happy... but it only takes one tiny hiccup (like Narnia's).

We are due Ofsted (three years up September , so goodness knows when really). Sometimes I do wonder is it really worth all the stress?

xx

[Amina_Hussain]

Dear Green Hippo and all,

I totally feel that I sometimes never have a moment to my own thoughts, if its not filled with preschool jobs, new ideas, learning goals, next steps, changes in policy......, it's how do I be a better mum!!!

I think it is probably because when you are at work you are engrossed with the children so have no time to ponder and you reflect in action and then at home you are post-reflecting ready for the next day. Its because you want to do your best or be the best you can for the children and families you work with. Its a very important job educating the young and not everyone is passionate or committed but if you don't have a good work/life balance you will run out of steam.

Please take care of your wellbeing, you are just as important. I have seen a life coach which has been of great benefit: to help me organise my thoughts and decide that I can be a brilliant teacher and still have time to be me too. It really helped to calm my anxieties(which were different to yours) but affected my time away from work.

I don't even want to think of Ofsted (we are also due a visit). But what will be will be.

I'm sending you happy thoughts :rolleyes:

ps. realised I used the wording "educating the young" however I have to add the young also help to educate me. I am never ending learning from my pre-schoolers

Edited August 27, 2014 by Silvermist

[thumperrabbit]

One word "SNAP"!

[green hippo]

Thank you for all your replies - it seems it's not just me! I am naturally an anxious person and I have found this to become worse after becoming a mum. With a bit of guilt thrown in there when I am thinking of other people's children while I'm with my own. My younger son starts school full time on the 8th September so I am hoping that I will feel less rushed and anxious about getting home in the afternoon. I think it's hard to imagine what work will be like in the holidays because we are off with our children and are so lucky to have great quality family time - I'm hoping once we're all back I won't be feeling like I'm missing out. I feel bad for feeling so negative about going back for the families - I wouldn't want them to know how anxious I feel.

Keep positive everyone (including me!)

Green Hippo x

[Mouseketeer]

Cheer up green hippo, I hate how much pressure is heaped on everyone now, the early years sector is only where it is now because for far too long it's been run on the goodwill of far too many undervalued people who have just spent their 5.6 weeks paid holiday working for free and who are now 'returning' to their under paid job more exhausted and strung out than they were at the end of term gggrrrr

It will be those of us not expecting ofsted that get the knock at the door probably, looking through reports you see some 'good' settings redone a year later for no apparent reason, and settings who were 'satisfactory' 2 years before new framework still not re-inspected, I've given up trying to guess when they might turn up...it's not like they even know

[Guest sn0wdr0p]

I agree with Melba's comment about "waiting for disaster to strike" - that's how I feel all the time too. I have just returned from my 50th birthday cruise (fantastic) but all the time I expected a message about some crisis or other. I am pleased to say that everything went well in my absence but I live in a state of perpetual dread when I am not at work and I am pretty sure I am not on my own am I ? Sad isn't it that our major worry is Ofsted and the sword of Damacles that they hang over our head.

[Melba]

Absolutely Snowdrop.

But for some reason I also seem to keep thinking that tomorrow will be a bit better. When I lose that, I retire!

[Stargrower]

Same for me. I spend my life worrying about our setting, constantly trying to 'catch up', waking in the early hours thinking about supervisions, observations, recruitment, a member of staff, a family etc, etc.

Our last Ofsted was three years in September and, although we got 'good' it was far from a positive experience.

I think, for me, part of the pressure is that we are always being told by someone - Ofsted, the media, the local authority - that we're not good enough. So we re-think and change our practice/policies/paperwork/protocols and the goal posts move so we're not good enough again!

I love my job when I'm doing it (most of the time!) but it has taken over my life. I have just asked a friend to look after my very lively eight month old puppy so I can work this weekend...

Having said all that, I have a great team and we're all doing the Ice Bucket Challenge today! :1b

[Guest sn0wdr0p]

Good luck with your challenge Stargrower. I was nominated by my sister last night and have said I will do it at work tomorrow. Our Out of School Club is having a BBQ for lunch to end our holiday fun and I am doing it after that as I am sure the kids will love to see it.

[Panders]

Same for me. I spend my life worrying about our setting, constantly trying to 'catch up', waking in the early hours thinking about supervisions, observations, recruitment, a member of staff, a family etc, etc.

Our last Ofsted was three years in September and, although we got 'good' it was far from a positive experience.

I think, for me, part of the pressure is that we are always being told by someone - Ofsted, the media, the local authority - that we're not good enough. So we re-think and change our practice/policies/paperwork/protocols and the goal posts move so we're not good enough again!

I love my job when I'm doing it (most of the time!) but it has taken over my life. I have just asked a friend to look after my very lively eight month old puppy so I can work this weekend...

Having said all that, I have a great team and we're all doing the Ice Bucket Challenge today! :1b

 

 

Good luck with the bucket challenge, my son did it yesterday, great fun!

 

Totally with you on everyone implying we are not good enough, I said that some years ago to my then EYAT and frankly given the amount if change we have undertaken I still feel that way too, good, is never good enough.

[green hippo]

Now I do feel bad...I have done some work over summer but have made myself have a break (hence why I feel guilty as well as anxious). And, I probably get paid more than all of your fantastic pre-school practitioners (which I think is criminal by-the-way).

Mustn't grumble!!!

I've been in work today and feel a bit better than I did.

Thanks for all your support. You all do a great job xxx

Green Hippo xxx