zigzag

Whilst I think in theory it’s a good idea, there is no way I can keep my small group of six school leavers with us as I have no space for them and if I had to keep them I would have to turn away others who have been expecting to start in September. Let’s hope the government do not decide to adopt this at this late stage!

What are everyone’s thoughts on the Education experts thoughts about delaying the school year? This was from Nursery world. The proposals for children return to settings and school in the autumn term 2020 are: In September children will return to the year/age groups and adults they left in March to re-settle, build on their current starting points and re-establish where they are in their learning and development as well as in their relationships and routines. This will be a time to consolidate prior learning, including the learning gained during lockdown, and to build on any positive practice developed through new ways of working with families. Children who were due to start Reception in September will remain in their nursery setting, pre-school, nursery school, or nursery class. They will start their transition visits to Reception classes including a settling-in period in partnership with their parents, with plenty of time to build relationships with their new teachers and develop their self-confidence. Children due to start in Year 1 in September will instead return to their Reception classes. With a curriculum focused on crucial aspects of recovery, such as rebuilding relationships and reducing anxiety, and an emphasis on promoting/stimulating their physical, emotional and language development, they would fulfil EYFS expectations and ultimately be ready for the Y1 curriculum. Children due to start in Year 2 in September will remain in Year 1. This will help teachers and children secure the foundations of the Y1 curriculum. Any attempt to ‘catch up’ what is seen as ‘missing’ in order to achieve end of KS1 targets would simply result in (a) leaving out chunks of the curriculum or (b) rushing children through the curriculum. Both would result in vital connections not being made between new and prior learning and, consequently, knowledge and understanding being weakened, standards falling and a pervading sense of failure impacting negatively on children’s wellbeing. Spring Term 2021: All children will transition to their next year groups and new children will start in Reception. In effect this will be the start of a shortened school year.

enuffsenuf one of the things that I have found invaluable on this forum is that we are all unique in the settings that we come from, how we work and our personal views. This can lead to interesting and thought provoking discussions and of course at times we may all well disagree with each other which is only natural. I love that we can say what we think and people will react but then we can move on and enjoy the next topic and discussion. Please don’t feel that you now can’t comment or participate, that is the last thing that any of us want.

We returned with three children and my chairperson was very sure that lots of parents would send their children back once we had been open a couple of weeks. I felt confident after speaking to all my parents individually that they were more than happy with their decisions to keep the children at home until September (I completely agree with them as well) Despite the chairperson telling the other families how much her children have enjoyed being back and me extending the offer to the five other school leavers to join us I only have one more who is returning next week. I for one am really impressed with peoples decisions to keep their children at home and think they are jolly sensible. It has been a good eye opener for how we will have to operate in September and enabled us realise it’s going to be jolly hard with everyone back and six new children! In these strange times I have found some weeks really easy to get through but other weeks I struggle with feeling anxious and worrying about what will happen next and when will things return to anything that resembles normal. This does lead to a feeling of helplessness and feeling low. Especially at the moment when I see a distinct lack of social distancing and people behaving like fools just because they want to go shopping or to the beach. This really annoys me as we are unable to visit my Dad in hospital at a time when he desperately needs us. All the time people behave like that we are just going to prolong this god awful virusThe expected influx of tourists to Cornwall (and yes we desperately need them) fills me with dread. We have such limited resources down here and struggle to cope in a normal summer. Sunnyday you lovely lady, sending you positive vibes, keep your chin up and hopefully the lovely summer sunshine will soon return and you can get back out in your garden. Xxx

We have lots of children due to start in September. I have set up accounts on Tapestry for these children and have added loads of photos of the setting (pre Covid), a video of the toilet area and photos of the staff for them to look at. Depending on the situation in September but my guess is we will still not be allowing parents and visitors into the setting so there will be no option of settling in with parent sessions. I will be doing it the old fashioned way, taking the child from the parent and settling them. Can’t see any other option and it’s what the school leavers will have to do when they move up to school as there are no transition sessions allowed this year. I will be staggering all the new children starting though so we are not overwhelmed!

I have watched the news over the last few weeks in absolute shock with the way people are behaving. The protests, the beaching, the shopping queues and football celebrations. It is beyond me, just what these people are thinking. As I have said before we are expecting a huge influx down here in Cornwall starting next week! I know Cornwall needs the tourism desperately but we only have one main hospital in the whole county which is on black alert in a normal summer season! I will be hibernating in my garden until September if anyone wants me.....

I was so worried what benefit the three children returning would get from it but they have really surprised me. They are not phased by a pretty bare room and a strict quota of resources at all and seem so happy to be back, running in without a backward glance and not even questioning why they don’t have access to all their favourite toys!

Ahh Cait that is great news, been thinking about you.

We have these half waist aprons for that and they are really handy.

Dog balaclavas are needed! My spaniels ears get full of sticky balls! (Sorry don’t know the Latin name for them)

Sunnyday this reminds me of last year, when a group of visitors were walking through the meadow where the calves were and they were squealing and complaining about the cow pats! I was in fits listening to them!

No need to apologise🤣 I love hearing people’s opinions, I used to have to wear them 20+ years ago when I worked at the day nursery and hated them! Now I feel they may cover and conceal lockdown weight gain!!

Thoughts are with you and your Mum Cait.

We wear polo shirts with our logo and I have little half apron things with a pocket for pens and post it’s, sometimes we wear them sometimes we don’t! I just wanted a temporary covering to stop the risk of bleach stain. In retrospect I think the disposable plastic aprons will be the way to go!

Thank you so much. Xxx

🤣🤣You should do stand up comedy!😉

Anyone know where I can get some jazzy tabards from? One day in and my work polo top already has a bleach stain on it!

Just wanted to add that we reopened this week and it was my first day back today. I was dead set against opening with just three children but I have to say that they are very happy and don’t seem phased by it at all. It’s also a good learning curve for September. (Quite concerned how we are going to operate on full numbers in September and keep up with the cleaning)

Well it’s been a hellish two weeks for me. My darling Dad was rushed to hospital (not Covid related) and it’s literally been a rollercoaster everyday since. We were first told there was no hope, then told he was improving then told they were removing all treatment and we were called in four times for end of life visits. But I am delighted that today he actually managed to sit in the chair for an hour and ate some lunch. Despite being 89 and very seriously ill he still has the most amazing fight and stubborn streak in him! I am almost scared to say that we now see some light at the end of the tunnel. Although the end of life visits were traumatic we were lucky to see him. Now of course we are not allowed to visit which is hard on us but so very hard for him. Makes me so very, very cross when I see the beaches and the football celebrations with all those irresponsible people congregating together, what on earth are they thinking!

Water play seems to have turned into a really contentious subject.! I am following a post about it on FB and people have very strong opinions about using or not using it. Personally I am going to have it but I only have three children. They will wash hands before and after and I will use a little soap in the water as well. Like normal to make it bubbly. I think that playing with other toys poses more of a threat but that is my opinion. As long as you risk asses it and monitor how it’s going. We all know our own groups and what is right for some is not right for others. Go with your own heart and decision.

Oh my goodness, so glad it’s not just me with these feelings! Thank you all for the reassurance. 🙂

It’s amazing isn’t it. I have become like this even when just going to collect my click and collect shop. So full of anxiety it was ridiculous. So many weeks of not going anywhere other than walking the dog have actually been my idea of heaven! But the nearer I get to going back to school and the wider world reopening my anxiety levels are sky rocketing. I need to get a grip on it as it’s not good or pleasant. Take care Sunnyday

Well yes it is BUT everyday during lock down I have felt blessed to live where we live, the most beautiful beaches and countryside on our doorstep all within walking distance. Not a day has gone by when we haven’t felt gratitude at how lucky we are and thought about people in cities with no outdoor space. So I understand why people want to come here, it’s just concerning how many are here already without some of the restrictions being lifted, it’s quite scary thinking ahead to the summer!

It really does not surprise me, we have seen such an increase of visitors during the last few weeks it’s quite intimidating. God knows where they are staying as holiday let’s, campsites and b&bs are meant to be closed. It really is a huge concern. One of my Dads is a community responder and has been warned by the south west ambulance trust that the worst Is yet to come and is a few weeks away for us.

Yes I know just what you mean, very glad of the reprieve but not at the cost of a child having an accident. Yes they are her children!