I'm a teacher (usually Reception), but I moved out of school partly because I felt that many children in Early Years were having unrealistic expectations placed on them at too young an age.
I now work in a 0-5 centre, some of my time is as a nursery teacher. I've seen some good practice there, but I still don't think that a nursery setting compares (for younger children) with being in a home environment.
As I can understand the reasons why nurseries suit some parents (almost no chance of nursery being closed due to staff ill health, open 52 weeks a year etc. etc.), I want to do my best to make the environment within the nursery as close to a home environment as possible ie. like that of a childminder.
I said on a previous thread that I feel that the EYFS is absolutely in line with the seamless approach that childminders have always offered to children in their care - looking at each child as an individual, regardless of age, moving from one stage of development to another in a child centred, practical, caring and intuitive way.
Working in a nursery, but having my child with a childminder has caused me to be asked some awkward questions in the past. However, I still firmly believe that for my child, a childminder is absolutely the right choice. Unlike some of the parents I work with, I positively wanted my child to have the opportunity to develop a close bond with one special person. In no way did I feel that it threatened my relationship with dd, it just strengthened her ability to forge strong relationships with trusted adults.
I applaud you all for the excellent work you do.
Not really a very exciting reason KaySamuels, but it's a really important issue for me.