Early Years Teacher vs Pre School Leader

[farmpark]

Hello all,

 

I am writing to ask for some advice, I have been in early years for around 10 years it all began when I completed my BA Hons in early childhood studies, I then had the opportunity to complete my EYPS. In order to do this I got a job in a private day nursery, over time I worked up from a nursery practitioner to the settings early years professional overseeing the EYFS and finally the deputy manager. I felt after a few years I wanted to get back into the rooms working with children and was offered an opportunity to go to a special needs school to be their early years teacher due to holding the EYPS. I have been doing this for the last two months and straight away I felt like I was under qualified and felt like I was so out of my depth. I feel so low and every day I hate going to work, I find it so difficult going from working as a team with qualified nursery practitioners to being the only member of staff knowing the eyfs and how to support the children through planning and observing to being the only person who knows the eyfs and can extend their learning. I feel that I don't get to give the children the right support as I have such a high work load making sure all the children are making progress as their are 60 children (30 am/30pm) with 10 of these working to IEP's and EHA plans. When I have spoken to other staff members I was told I had too high expectations, is this the case or have I fallen into the wrong environment? Any support/help/guidance would be highly appreciated.

 

Thank you from a very confused early years enthusiast!

[Rafa]

Hi farmpark, sorry to hear your struggling in your new post. I am no expert of your situation but wondering why you are the only one with knowledge of the EYFS? How many staff work with you?

Also Upsy Daisy has put a very interesting blog on here regarding Sen and barriers to learning which might give you new thinking in how to approach your teaching??

I think if it was me I might concentrate, to begin with, great Continuous Provision and then look to work alongside children in their play.

This may take the pressure off you. Remembering these are children with special needs and only little steps are taken?

Good luck, sure someone with more knowledge than myself will be along soon!

[catma]

When you say special school what is it's designation re needs - for example our primary special school has children with profound and multiple needs and children diagnosed as ASD who are unable to manage being in a mainstream setting. The teachers use the EYFS but have developed their own tracking as progress will be in such small increments that any routine EYFS documentation won't work for them. It's a completely different approach to delivering the EYFS and is driven totally by a child's needs rather than anything else.

Cx

[blondie]

When you say special school what is it's designation re needs - for example our primary special school has children with profound and multiple needs and children diagnosed as ASD who are unable to manage being in a mainstream setting. The teachers use the EYFS but have developed their own tracking as progress will be in such small increments that any routine EYFS documentation won't work for them. It's a completely different approach to delivering the EYFS and is driven totally by a child's needs rather than anything else.

Cx

Agree-I also remember someone putting a more detailed eyfs type form on here had more little points that could be achieved by sen children etc.,

[LKeyteach]

Hi Farmpark. I am sorry to hear you are troubled. My advice is not to give up just yet. It is hard settling into a new environment.

You have not explained what type of SEN setting you are in but I would advise that it can be a "little" different to mainstream. I would expect you to have to change your expectations but only because each child is an individual and their strengths and areas for development will be different. Use the development matters to help guide you but look at each child as an individual.

That is going to sound easier said than done with 60 children (maybe more if they attend few sessions) but this is where time helps. When you get to know the children your understanding of their needs will grow.

You have your degree and EYPS (agent for change - I was told) use your skills to help you adapt and I promise you will wonder why you had this wobble.

And this going to sound defeatist but working with children with SEND is not for everyone. Do not feel you have failed if you decide not to carry on. It is a very different way of working.