zigzag

I have never had so many children in nappies and parents so uninterested in toilet training. It’s quite shocking.

A really full on week here and I am literally so on the verge of handing my notice in. We have a full on group at the moment made up of four year olds who are ready for school and two year olds who just want to destroy the place! We then have a new starter who Screams the place down (quite a shock as we usually have no trouble settling them in) and is taking me away from the session as she needs constant 1-1. To add to this we have another newbie who is fine once in session but doesn't want to leave Mum and will try to run after her if given the chance at drop off time. Then for whatever reasons we have two of our other children who are playing Mums up and need peeling off Mums to get them in, then literally seconds later are all smiles. So my poor little chap who does need my attention at the moment so that I can get a early help referral in for him is just drifting through the session not achieving much. I really feel torn in a million pieces and that I am totally failing them all. Then to top that I have announced that we have to drop our extra session that parents pay for in September as we just don’t have enough children to break even for it and a parent has just become demanding, critical and nasty despite my endless efforts to make her understand. It’s just all too much. Thank god it’s a long weekend. FM glad your Ofsted is over, it’s a great feeling isn’t it! We have had beautiful dry weather but a very cold east wind, but at least it makes mud free dog walks! Enjoy the weekend all.

I’ve been doing two holiday cottage changeovers today! The weather has been thick fog and rain so didn’t bother me! But I would like to order some sunshine tomorrow please! Have a lovely Easter all. Xx This is my working cocker (who hasn’t done a days work in her life) This was her chilling on the swing seat yesterday watching me scrub the picnic bench!

Hands down, best dogs ever!

Oh wow I wished I worked with you, it all sounds delicious. What lucky colleagues you have!

Ahh, that’s a shame, be much nicer in person!

Yes, both my boys were great big Rowers and have attended the world champs on the Scillies for many years. Sadly due to work commitments now they have had to stop. You must be on holiday? Have a great one.

What are people doing about the bank holidays that fall in half term? Am I right in saying that two bank holidays will fall in the half term (Thursday 2 and Friday 3) So are people taking two additional days off at another time. I can’t help think I am being thick on this, but I’ve been looking at it and going around in circles!

They make it so complicated, it makes my brain (alright it’s a tiny brain) ache every year!

We have one more week, hoping we might actually get a full house again next week. Can’t remember the last time this happened, what with Covid and then a D&V bug doing the rounds. Good job we have a two week circuit breaker very soon! Beautiful sunshine here, just a couple of flakes of snow/sleet this morning but it had finished before it had started. Buts it’s so chilly 🥶 Hope everyone is well and has a lovely weekend.

First negative test today. I cannot wait for human contact! I just need a hug from my husband and to get to see Mum and Dad. Amazingly my husband and son who live in the same house have not caught it.

You do make me laugh!

Yesterday was the first day that I felt half human and managed to do a clean of the house and a potter in the greenhouse. So starting to recover I hope! The second night with it I had a temperature of 104 which was incredibly unpleasant! I didn’t realise just how hot I was but luckily my husband checked on me and next thing I knew was covering me in damp tea towels! Still testing positive yesterday so will see what today says. So that’s three out of four staff who have had it. Luckily as two of us got it, one was just returning so we have managed to stay open to most children. The school also sent staff home yesterday as well. It’s rife in the village, but the way people are behaving it doesn't surprise me. I have only been outside in our back garden and won’t be venturing out until I have two negative tests, but people who have it are dropping their children to school and carrying on as normal. Anyway, don’t start me ranting about inconsiderate people as it really makes me so cross! Thank you for asking how I am. Xx

So tested positive this morning! Big week, Ofsted and Covid!

Our council tax has only increased by £7 a month which I think is quite amazing! Electric bill has gone up by £450 and we got heating oil last week which was very expensive. My committee is discussing wage increases (or not) tonight, hope they take all this into consideration!

Totally agree with Louby Lou. Our two year checks are usually done nearer the child turning three. We had Ofsted yesterday and she asked to see a selection of two year checks so you need to have them. Just explain that they are delayed and why if any questions are asked. Don’t give yourself a hard time, it’s been a hard couple of years.

Actually haven’t managed to eat anything today yet! So wine will wait until after dinner, but safe to say it’s going to be huge🤪

I know one other setting in Cornwall who were also eight years, but it must be some kind of record!

Ahh bless you. It went brilliantly, it was a very positive experience and worth the weekend of anxiety! I am delighted with the result. Will share with you when I can. Now just breathing deeply again and unwinding! Eight years was a long time!

Yes definitely. Oh no, that’s awful, so sorry to hear this. All the best to you and your team in the coming weeks dealing with this.

I would just like to say, having a whole weekend to be anxious and nervous before inspection is VERY unpleasant! There is a lot to be said for the no warning inspections. It would have saved the full blown panic attack at 4am this morning! Not helped by a message later to say a staff member has tested positive! 😱😱

Friday again and a good week back for us. Three families with Covid but all agreed to my request of staying away, thank goodness. Have had an email from Ofsted to say they were trying to make contact (last week when we were closed) to arrange inspection. FINALLY! Last inspected in 2014 so you can imagine what the last few years have been like, living on tenterhooks. Hoping they will phone today and we can just get on and get it over with. I’ve got a stinking cold and am meant to be going to watch Sarah Millican on Sunday, so hope to feel better by then. Happy Friday all.

Manager £11.75 Deputy £9.71 level 2 Assistant £8.91 level 4 Assistant £9.20 I am aware that as manager I am on a good rate of pay but I have been there for 19 years and do EVERYTHING.

Yes! It wasn’t so bad with Dad, only had to call 111 once. Just hard not being in your own home and having to work to a care routine that is like Groundhog Day. I knew it was hard, but until you live in someone else’s shoes you just never know the true extent of it.