An EYFS potting training rant ...

[notjustamummythankyou]

I am so cross.

My dd will be three at the end of February. She currently goes to a playgroup two mornings a week. It's a good playgroup, but I do have issues with the way they assess the children against EYFS, as my Ds also wI am so cross.

My dd will be three at the end of February. She currently goes to a playgroup two mornings a week. It's a good playgroup, but I do have issues with the way they assess the children against EYFS, from when my DS was there. (whole other thread [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/preschool/a1705390-DSs-objectives-at-playschool-need-some-perspective]].

Anyway, DD's 2 year check came back yesterday and it absolutely slammed her for not yet being potty trained. Apparently, she shows no interest in using the toilet or any awareness when she needs to go. Firstly, this is not the daughter I know who says she wants to use the potty occasionally. Secondly, the setting is in a church hall and the toilet is through 3 closed doors at the end of a corridor. How many 2 year olds are going to show interest in that, especially during play?!

For what its worth, the EYFS 'grade' they have given her for health and self care is 8-20 months. Ridiculous! Its not so much the band (I've learned to ignore the hard way) but that they really don't seem to know my dd - and she's only been there since sept anyway! I also feel angry that a 2 year old appears to be judged through eyfs on their readiness to toilet train.

The stupid thing is, we started to train at the end of Oct, and then both kids came down with chickenpox followed by d&v. Not ideal.

I feel responsible for somehow failing my child now. She is 2 ffs!

And breath ..ent there. ( that's another story )

Anyway, DD's 2 year check came back yesterday and it absolutely slammed her for not yet being potty trained. Apparently, she shows no interest in using the toilet or any awareness when she needs to go. Firstly, this is not the daughter I know who says she wants to use the potty occasionally. Secondly, the setting is in a church hall and the toilet is through 3 closed doors at the end of a corridor. How many 2 year olds are going to show interest in that, especially during play?!

For what its worth, the EYFS 'grade' they have given her for health and self care is 8-20 months. Ridiculous! Its not so much the band (I've learned to ignore the hard way) but that they really don't seem to know my dd - and she's only been there since sept anyway! I also feel angry that a 2 year old appears to be judged through eyfs on their readiness to toilet train.

The stupid thing is, we started to train at the end of Oct, and then both kids came down with chickenpox followed by d&v. Not ideal.

I now feel responsible for somehow failing my child now. She is 2 ffs!

And breathe ..

[notjustamummythankyou]

Not sure what happened there!

This is what I'm trying to say. Its late ... But you get the gist.

[TheBakeryQueen]

You haven't failed her! Try not to worry about eyfs, its just paperwork that the setting is obligated to fill in & I think if she isn't potty trained they probably have to tick that box, that's all.

If you think she is ready to be potty trained then crack on with it. I found the advice in the mumsnet section on potty training pretty useful to begin with.

[fishfingersfortea]

In my role as a childminder I also have to complete the 2 year progress report. I do it in conjunction with the parent discussing what I've observed the child doing in my setting. I always stress that I only see a snapshot of the child and that I'm aware they may be doing more/less at home. By completing it together it's possible to see the whole picture.
There's room for you to comment on the report that you dd has already begun potty training at home and has at times used the potty successfully etc.
as you say your dd only started in Sept for a couple of sessions a week so the staff are still learning about her. We have to give the 'best fit' in each area of learning so I expect they have already made some observations within the 16-26m band 'holds cup with both hands without much spilling'. If your dd is not there for meals they may be unable to observe 'develops own likes & dislikes in food and drink' and the rest of 16-26m in health and self care is based on communicating about toiletting - your dd is emerging in this area & will be there in time.
This isn't negative,it's an area highlighted as yet to be achieved, not failed.
Add your thoughts to the parents section. Highlight anything you've seen at home that nursery haven't yet seen as it is very relevant and welcomed by child carers.

[notjustamummythankyou]

Thanks for both your replies. I've come through the rage and hopefully I'm a little more coherent!

fish: your comments make perfect sense, and that is how my childminder approaches assessment. I was able to fully comment alongside her review, and show how dd is progressing at home.

Unfortunately, the playgroup offered a tiny box which was more to show that we had received and read the progress check as opposed to actually being able to offer comment. There appears to be no clear mechanism whereby parents can comment and/or contribute towards the check. That seems a bit daft, bearing in mind dd had been in the setting for precisely 48 hours (2 x 3hrs for 8 weeks) at the point the check was made!

Anyhow, turns out its all academic. She's in the child minder's care for more hours and so the check in that setting is the one that goes.

In the meantime, I'll get going on consolidating the potty training. If I can get dd to sit still for long enough!

and no more midnight rants from me

[notjustamummythankyou]

I should also say that I've made comments on the form to the playgroup. The tiny box didn't hold me back!

[fishfingersfortea]

Glad to hear you're feeling a little better about the report. Just think of it as a chance to see what the preschool see. After 48 hours attendance they have observed x,y,z which is within the expected age range but in the self care area they haven't seen a,b,c yet. Having had the input from you they are now aware that your dd can at times do a,b,c and the preschool should then have ideas how they can support her in this area in the setting. Do they have story sacks to lend out about potty training?
Hopefully the main thing that came from the progress report is that she's a happy, settled little girl.