MarshaD Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 OMG feel like I’m taking crazy pills. Spent the last few meetings asking people to put lids on pens, tidy shelves, keep the shed from looking like a bike explosion has gone off etc etc. Then as usual I have spent last week tidying in the shed an hour in the workstation blah blah blah yesterday morning sheds all junked up again workshop baskets crammed with bits of paper that been used on both sides it’s endless. Last straw came yesterday when I came down at lunchtime to find expensive wooden track been drawn all over all dumped in the middle of the builder’s tray with the pens still with lids off (!) no one had attempted to tidy it up or talked to the kids about it... and we’d had tidy up time. I don’t like confrontation which is part of the problem but had a real rant at staff meeting this morning practically burst into tears. Then I get a text message from my deputy obviously sent to the wrong person. Saying what a bizarre staff meeting it had been and what an odd character I was. Is it me am I mad for expecting someone other than me to give a toss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKeyteach Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Marsha Feel for you. Someitmes people do not like taking responsiblity maybe giving 1 person pen to putting back on responsibility an another bike building in shed responsibility might share the grief. Then perhaps you can come of the medication! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMaiden2018 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Sorry the truth is that, no one responds well to moans, its something I've learnt the hard way and it doesnt inspire people. Don't get hung up on the little things "Ranting and raving" / "raving lunatic" are phrases that go together so its professionalism that's required here. Same as children, be specific in what you require, positive praise sandwich if it really is necessary, to criticise, but usually just ask members of team to either find their own solution or to take responsibility for areas, like the shed, and do specific things perhaps to put lids on with children. You may need to joyously model how you love finding the partners to the lids andhow fun it is and Instigate this as a game, depending on your team. You might have to reorganise room first or minimise content, as this might be the cause of chaos, but reflective practice might just show that a group of children are not potty trained and that needed more staff to keep popping off to the loo to help them. But if children's needs are being met you may also have to put up with a little mess in the interim, everyone is learning. I'd find out what was happening, too, folks respond better if asked how the day has been and can focus on what they have done right that morning if its a child who isn't settle for example that will take one person away from usual things. (rotas or systems can also help, but I think managers should be around to step in if needed to do whats required none of the work should be beneath us, and its all our responsibility but tidiness is not essentially my main priority. Essentially how you behave travels down through the staff to the children. (they hear the conversations too.) Happy team and happy children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) Oh Marsha, I'm not surprised that you are upset Not sure that I have any bright ideas for you, I am often heard muttering "am I the only person wo can change a loo roll, empty the bin...…." Your deputy needs a 'kick up the proverbial', she should, in my opinion, always 'have your back' Hope that you have a better day tomorrow Edited October 9, 2019 by sunnyday who not wo 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynned55 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I have to agree with Sunnyday- about your Deputy- I too seem to be the only one who can do certain things in my setting- Luckily my deputy is brilliant and does always have my back. I did once loose it completely couple of years ago and ended up reminding them all that it was not my private business, I didnt own it and was just an employee, same as rest of staff (we are committee run- or so rumour has it!) It did work for a while. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louby loo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Must admit I've had a bit of a moan this week too. I'd not be happy about the text though, and think I'd have to challenge the 'professionism' of it. I'm very easy going, although I have been told I have the most amazing 'death stare' that tends to scare people without me saying a word. I'd remove the felt pens and just get them out as an adult led activity. I read somewhere (sorry I can't back this up though) that felt pens are not good for learning pencil control as they take not real effort the make marks unlike crayons and pencils. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 It sounds frighteningly familiar! For years I have raged that no one else seems to see the leaves in piles outside the door, the bike explosion in the shed, the paint marks on the wall etc! But recently my deputy seems to be seeing things as well, which is great and only this morning was moaning about how another member of staff had carelessly put the puzzles away in the cupboard. I wish I had a magic wand to wave for you an us! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trekker Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Same issues - board puzzles with pieces tipped up in the cupboard having put them away on the edges rather than flat! … items stuffed in anywhere despite shelves and boxes being labelled (labelling to encourage children to select and tidy away but seems staff are immune to them!)...and resources being 'borrowed' and never returned to the room they went from or coming back seriously depleted. its not so much the untidiness that frustrates - its the damage and losses that occur as a result of this lack of care...keep having to replace things - and it gets tedious. How can we expect children to respect the resources when the staff clearly do not! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshaD Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 Sorry for the rant but had to vent! Thanks guys. At least I’m not alone in my frustrations but why does it have to be so hard? Yes my deputy has firmly positioned herself in the ‘them’ camp which leaves me battling on my own. Still onwards and upwards. Here’s to a better day tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 You're definitely not alone! I would say something to your deputy though...or maybe reply to her text At my nursery, there is an odd sock sitting on top of a radiator cover. I noticed in in the middle of August and have left it to see what happens. I told my deputy and each day I say to her "Day 45 at xxx nursery. The sock is still waiting" . I'll keep you posted in a couple of months... 1 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 7 hours ago, Stargrower said: You're definitely not alone! I would say something to your deputy though...or maybe reply to her text At my nursery, there is an odd sock sitting on top of a radiator cover. I noticed in in the middle of August and have left it to see what happens. I told my deputy and each day I say to her "Day 45 at xxx nursery. The sock is still waiting" . I'll keep you posted in a couple of months... Oh my goodness! See I have tried leaving stuff for a while, but then I just cannot bear it anymore! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 8 hours ago, Stargrower said: You're definitely not alone! I would say something to your deputy though...or maybe reply to her text At my nursery, there is an odd sock sitting on top of a radiator cover. I noticed in in the middle of August and have left it to see what happens. I told my deputy and each day I say to her "Day 45 at xxx nursery. The sock is still waiting" . I'll keep you posted in a couple of months... Oh my actual goodness reckon that will still be there next August then 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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