can i join you though i'm not a childminder or nannie

[southeastastra]

but after school worker, for occasional moans and advice

oh SEA - I am after school playworker too!

Well I think you can - but Maureen seems to be in charge of admissions atm - so you'd better get her approval

i only do two days a week after school, otherwise i have to get a babysitter so i can babysite iykwim.

three days of playscheme this week have wiped me out. i'm working towards nvq in playwork and want to sleep for a month.

I do 5 days but only because DH finishes work at 3 so no probs there - I bet playscheme has worn you out - and studying!

i find it hard because we have to prove alot of free play rather than planned activities.

Katy! I'm not in charge. If I was, we'd have every drunk off the street in as well!

As far as I'm concerned anyone on this forum is a childcare worker, just by the fact that one assumes we all have kids! The more the merrier I say!

I nly really do free play - I hate struggle with 'opportunities' iyswim

Mind you I did a volcano this week cos DD wanted something exciting

HOWEVER, since that thread last weekend, it would appear that its frowned upon to moan about clients/parents!

it's hard katy as we're in different schools each day, and all the staff i work with who are about approx 18 moan about how much tidying up there is to do.

i love the free play thing and agree with it 100% but i have a boss who worries too much and interferes

Have you done the exploding film cannisters as well Katy? They're brill, but you need to do them in the garden.

SEA - they need to understand that they will only get out of the job what they put in

M - no - tell me more

Mind you they were in awe with the volcano & then i HAD a 10 yo & a 6yo doing gloop - so funny (whole packet of cornflour tho' - I mean that's like 73p not sure I can afford it)

free play means though that i'm responsible for 40 5-11 year olds running amok and i have to let them sort it out themselves

Right. you need a film canister. Not easy to find these days! You put a piece of cotton wool on the lid and soak it in vinegar, then you pour some baking soda into the canister and quickly put it on to the lid. Make sure you stand back from it! As the vinegar and soda mix, it'll let off a gas and fill the canister, until it explodes and the tub flies off!

Today I only had
14 weeks old
9 mo
21 mo (with SDD)
2x 3yo
6yo
10yo

We did pots of flowers & loads of other heart stuff - I just put it all on the table (without scissors - the older ones had to ask for & return them)

3yo fed 9 mo a pritt stick but I got it out fairly quick

Nope Maureen - not in my house/garden...sorry I'm not daft

Katy, if your DD is like one of mine and loves science (well the experiment bits), there's a great little book about called "how to fossilise your Hmster". It's jam packed full of experiments which can be done at home. DD1 loves it as it also has links to websites where you can watch said experiments carried out too.

I got it for Christmas - but I haven't read it all (toilet lit)

Have you got What eats wasps too (at least I think that what it's called)
& there is another one about cold feet

i have to show 'deep play' it's hard in north london when you're based in a school and not an adventure playground. i appreciate when the government is trying to do but they don't listen to the staff doing the job... ever...

I want to do the mentos one - but DH thinks it will kill the grass

Oh go on! Its really fun! Do it was DD at the weekend at least! I wouldn't do it with my littlies, but my after school juniors love it!

What's deep play?

Gah! Where's his sense of adventure! I've done that too! Didn't kill the grass. Anyway, its early enough in the season for it to grow back.

katy you've never heard of deep play?

this is what annoys me with this fp policy that's come along

No

My version of free play is that the children can help themselves to stuff - but they have to put something away before getting something else out

But that I can do stuff & they can join in if they want

i have worked with children from 1999. the policies/procedures/educational requirements needed to work with children has gone out of control