Thanks MN - you have helped me make a decision

[KatyMac]

I was thinking of giving up

I was feeling undervalued and despondent

Your replies to some threads this evening have made me feel valued and respected

Thank you

But everyone really

I was staring to think I was wasting my time - but I'm not am I? It is worth doing

So THANK YOU All

Good to hear that you are feeling so positive about things tonight Katy.

Some parents do appreciate the people who care for their children. Alas not all.

Thanks Nick

Writing policies again - apparently my SN is not up to scratch

Only working 2 or 3 mornings atm as I am so poorly - I am so tired

Keeping up with the paperwork is getting hard (now I have fewer staff)

KayMac, if I lived nearer, I'd be signing up with you, and dropping off the not so small cushions at your place.
You might not be thanking me then.

aww - that's ok. I would also drop my DS's with you if you were closer............you also wouldn't be thanking me then

S'OK - I pay my ladies to deal with the 'problem' children (oh & to do the nappies) so I'm sure it wouldn't phase me too much - that should leave me plenty of time to MN in between policies/advertising/EYFS/Risk assessments/diaries/food hygiene/cooking/H&S/Personnel & payroll/playing with the children/going to the loo

Actually I regularly tell DH we need to move back home so you can have DD for us

You need a break by the sounds of it. Can you take a day off from the DC?

For example today I told everyone to pretend I was not there. (I work PT and was swamped with paperwork). I could not do it from home so I still went in but hid in a corner and had a hard word with myself and then filed I went though every bit of cr*p and binned the lot,well most of it tbh, then I made up files for stuff I might use later and made a to do file. I numbered the lot in order of importance. When I looked up it was only 10.30am. I spent the rest of the day going through the to do file and sorting it, no interruptions and a good mix of music on the MP3. I did not answer the phone or look at email (or MN). I feel so high tonight and all I did was push paper!

I work in a different arena to you but it still means loads of paperwork and assessments.

Go for it and then take a break

katymac, if there is one thing I have picked up about you from mumsnet, at the risk of sounding stalkerish, is that you are utterly committed to childcare and passionate about.

If I could wave a magic wand and get rid of the paperwork for childminders, I so would. I love my childminder, she's fab. I love the way that my son talks about her and her children when he's not there. I has learned so much from being in another home environment, and I know he sees it as his second home.

Thanks - the problem is I've had a bad year

1. valued member of staff up & left
2. Nana died
3. DH in Papworth
4. Uncle died
5. Over all this the children were slowly leaving
6. Laid off 3 members of staff & one redundant 7)went back to work (in an office ) to earn enough to pay the redundancy
7. Got ill - lasted 5 weeks
8. Had (finally) an admission that DH will never be well again

Life started to return to normal, then I got ill again - off to see GP again tomorrow

I'm glad you're not giving up. I've always seen you as a kind of CM guru Sorry you are having such a tough year.

Thanks

That is the second time I have been called a guru on here (think I must be here too much )

I think I'm a bit dippy

Dippy? Your not dippy, you are our lovely Katy

keep going katy

as dora says in nemo

just keep swimming xxxx

I love Dory - just like my Nana - no short term memory at all

She is where I got my 'forgettory' from

Aww Katy sorry you have had such a hard time.RE SN children,have you tried the SN board as a sounding board.As a parent of sn child I have found their knowledge and advice invaluable on matters of all things SN education.In the area I am in it seems that the PLA is playing a big role in providing support for SN kids who require 1-1 in terms of pre school support.I dunno if any of this is any use whatsoever but am sure they would be more than happy to offer advice/ideas etc xxx

It's tricky as I see it as a moral issue

I have an 'equal concern' policy about treating each child as an individual and not making assumptions etc

My network has told me I NEED a SN policy

But if all my children are individuals why do I need something 'special' in place

If someone needs portage/salt etc - I do my damnedest to get it for them why would a policy make a difference

(have brought it up on the SN board - but I don't think I explained it very well)

I see where you are coming from re every child is an individual stuff but I guess from a legal aspect etc you have to have summat in writing to the effect of how you'd do this etc.A pain cos in reality I guess our children are a minority.Additionally I suppose those with severe special needs like dd would already be in the system,and organisations like Portage or SALT etc would have referred to SENCO and ed psych but for those who are as yet undiagnosed or whose sn are emerging I guess there has to be some paper policy in situ.Can you consult Ofsted or LEA or somesuch?

They are the cause of the change & do not 'provide an advisory service' (that's a quote)

I actually have a high number of children with SN (possiby because I don't see it as an issue/problem just something new to learn about )

But I know it has to change atm if there is a hiccup we just talk to parents & fix it (bring in a 121/change a routine/get a bit of kit) if I put it down on paper - I have to do what I write so I want it to be vague enough that if we find a solution that isn't mainstream we can still do it (IYKWIM)

BALD.....no hug?

eg have a child with an issue about food (complex)

invited to a birthday party

Wouldn't go because of the food

Sorted it out by offering that the child could bring their packed lunch......easy - he suggested it, he is happy, mum is happy

Under 'Equal Concern' there isn't a problem

But with several SN policies I have read this would be unacceptable because it makes him different (which I understand in principle but as child is happy is there an issue - child suggested it??)