under 2s - am i crazy?

[blondie]

Hi,

just looking for a bit of information/help really.

after many,many years as Lead Practitioner/manager of a preschool setting (2-4 yr olds) I have finally had enough of the paperwork, staffing problems etc and have decided to move onto somewhere where I can actually play with the children.

a local nursery has a vacancy for a senior practitioner of under 2s room and have asked me to come along for a chat next week.

i haven't really worked with under 2's other than my grand daughters (aged 4 and 7) who i looked after during the school holidays so is there anyone on here who can tell me what the role involves etc.,

am really thinking this might be the way to go as just had enough of the paperwork -any ideas / suggestions -am i being silly?

 

[Cait]

No, not silly at all! I think it sounds absolutely wonderful!

[sunnyday]

Oh blondie - go for it - sounds like fun to me..........mind you I have never worked with under twos either - just my own and grandchildren :1b

[lsp]

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. Can't help with advice though - sorry only worked with 2 plus in one room village pre-school.

[LKeyteach]

This does sound rather good. How nice just to play.

Expect some paperwork!

Also only experience I've had is when doing eyp had to go to day nursery. My day job is preschool.

[trekker]

Hi....This is what I did and it is wonderful not to have to deal with staffing, rotas etc :1b

After many years of working with preschool age as supervisor of a small playgroup I moved into a role as room leader of the under 2's room in a nursery. I had never worked with any children under 2.

I was quite anxious about working with much younger children but I had a good grasp of what the priorities were (I read 'people under three' long before when we reduced our preschool age intake to 2 yrs) and had really enjoyed working with the just twos we had taken at preschool. I soon found I loved this new toddler age group ...they are very very demanding....but in a nice way and they are delightful little people to spend the day with !

The key person approach takes on a whole different meaning for these younger ones - you are definitely their main plaything!

I spend most of my day singing, talking, playing and making sure I am there to support them. there is paperwork - learning journeys, and observations and planning to record and 2 yr old checks ( children in the room range from about 15 months to 2.5 yrs)....but compared to what I used to do it is minimal.

The conflict situations can be many and you need all your attention on them so I find there is barely time to jot a post it note and the day is very intense and full on and it is tiring....unlike preschool they are much less willing to 'go and play' independently for long so you are ...but I love working with them and have learned to snatch moments during lunch or when supervising sleeping to write up key obs and being room leader I have reduced and reduced what is needed and try to keep in mind that the paperwork is not as important as the direct work with the children.

I would definitely say go for it!