To think of giving up the rat race to travel the world to explore different preschool techniques so that I can start my own weekend club based on informed an informed first hand perspective...

[semi]

of how others do it? Not convinced the govt know best and want to see (reading takes you only so far no?) for myself. Is that crazy? Or has anyone else done anything remotely similar? thanks

Are you an MP or council employee ? Will you be claiming the trip on expenses ?
If not sounds great, however you know you'll never get it past ofstead and therefore all parents will be terrified to use you no doubt.

oh dear,barely anyone agreed....op has gone!
maybe off round the world!

It's quite interesting. Fact is, more people/parents are working outside the 9 - 5 work pattern, in a 24/7 culture, so in terms of feasibility, it could be worth pursuing, however not sure that the 2 areas of a weekend club dovetails into a a study of how other countries approach childcare.

Could it be a PhD thesis, as far as how other countries approach child care?

She's probably just ignoring some of you sarcastic prats.

Could you not just google it? Would save a fortune and wouldnt take quite as long. No injections or visas, very little risk of kidnap or carjacking.

was out with my daughter in the park...wooo, so very interesting responses. stay home and look after your kids. what's wrong with uk ed? it's all just a pipe dream!! pretty hard stuff...wasn't seeking permission guys just asking if i was the only one who felt like i do...

give up the rat race for a little - travel with my daughter and explore whilst she's preschool...not flunk out altogether! brignt he best bits back - and incorporate them into a weekend childcare scenario - for those of us who don't have the luxury of not working fulltime - and those of us who work unusual hours. i am very into reggio emilia - and am currently reading about te wariki....cultural divides don't exist to the extent that they used to kids - and family are at the heart of most if not all cultures - and the language is universal....have tried google, teachers.tv etc...but want to see for myself first hand...if anyone is interested in what i plan and rather do next, keep in touch!!

Dreams are what keep us going, and I say HURRAH! to anyone who achieves theirs. Why stamp all over someones hopes? Jealous because going travelling is what we'd love to do?

Don't know a lot about reggio emilia etc but as someone who works evenings and weekends I support anyone trying to set up childcare at those times. I'm lucky to have a partner and family around to look after my DD, but have seen what it's done to my colleague trying to arrange something for her son.

'Jealous because going travelling is what we'd love to do?'

I already travelled all over the place. For over a decade.

Quite the opposite of jealous considering travelling a lot with a young child in tow.

I don't even like to travel 90 miles or so these days.

I just think it's a silly idea.

It's a Hope! Everyone has them. Do you not have them Expat? And yes you may not think it a good idea but say YANBU to think of it, which is all the OP was asking. no-one's unreasonable to dream surely?

And by "we'd love to do" i think i meant more "I'd love to do"

Where did anyone say 'don't have dreams'? Um, nowhere.

Dumb ones, yeah, sure.

Why go online and ask whatever everyone thinks, then, if you don't want to take the rough with the smooth?

Can you be more specific?
What do you mean by 'different preschool techniques'? Do you mean regarding teaching (reading etc) or 'lifestyle'and parenting aproaches?

The new nursary programme in UK is based on Te Whaariki so you don't have to go too far.

I work around the world(NZ, America, Middle East, UK) with pre school children and only see minor differences between quality early childhood services.

I'd be more interested in trying to get quality early childhood services that fit the broad range of socio economic divisions in all countries.

Nearly impossible in todays imperfect world.

But good luck to you, I'd like to see your research, perhaps you can get someone to pay for it.

it just sounds waffly and time-wasting - fine if you want to travel do it but to dress it all up as reseach you have to do first so that you can set up something in the uk for weekend childcare it sounds like an excuse.

Nothing wrong with wanting to travel. Do so if you wish.

but 'travelling the world to explore different ..." reminds me of a 34 year old I know who's still waiting for his life to begin

guys guys guys...i wasn't intending on staying online and waiting to see how riled i could make you all! it was a question - simple, posed. you've answered it...the answer is yes i am probably mad, but at the end of the day if my daughter benefits it will be well worth it. i guess i won't be seeing ,any of you at the launch of the new venture that's the likely output of this!! hahaha...i'm educated, yes, fortunate enough to have some savings, and a spirit of adventure! ciao to all of those who don't like it! ciaoooooooooooo!

My DS loves forest school which I think is a swedish concept - I'm all for learning from other cultures and countries - but I don't understand what this weekend club is?

(Our weekend club is along the lines of Toonattik followed by a bit of playing followed by nipping to the shop followed by dinner and sweets... think this could catch on?)

All. thanks for the responses. Got kicked off by mumsnet for a while.

Ofsted are likely not to go with this idea as someone mentioned, unless it is run as a weekend idea, with parents being involved.

Since my posting the deparment of children, schools and families have launched an initiative to get parents more involved with their kids ed, which is right up my street...althouhg have to be honest, I am still v cynical, as I contact Alistair Darling about this idea at the start of Summer.

Am reading up on Reggio Emilia - and loving what I read about listening to childrens conversations and letting them direct their own learning.

If my idea is confused, it's because I am trying to do something that I think might not have been tried before. I work fulltime and have designs on jacking it all in to focus on doing something ground-breaking.

If anyone is nannynz or anyone else (bar of course the vociferously against anything new - expatinscotland and (not so) sweetfall ) would like to be involved, do let me know.