does anyone else think eyfs is really hard to maintain

[clankypanky]

I mean.... when you first start and its all fresh its easy and youre full of enthusiasm, but after a while dont you think 'whats the point in writing all this shit down, im not a thicko, i dont need to tell myself that ive noticed little emily has an interest in bears but actually ive got lots of bears books so dont need to go to the library.'
its so tedious, so farcical, im fed up of trying to link everything and make next steps.
We did play dough, next we did playdough....with glitter, next we did playdough....with pasta shapes, what shall we try next, playdough that makes and tidies itself up please.

REAL LIFE: I have all this stuff out for the kids to do if they want to , if they have time in between eating, pooing, sleeping, playgroup, school runs. When in reality sometimes, all they want to do is eat raisins and cheerios in front of 10 episodes of Bob the Builder.
rant rant rant (can you tell ive been catching up on learning journals today and am now on my 3rd glass of wine ha ha.)

I agree.
It enrages me that my lovely childminder is put through this meaningless charade, filling in forms that noone will ever read.
My kids love her and do lovely tihngs with her and are safe and well and happy. That is all thAT matters.

thank you moondog, yes that is exactly what i said to dh today....its all for ofsted to read when we see them once every 3 years. I do so many lovely things with my kids. I reckon Id have time do even more lovely things if it werent for the fact that I had to constantly be planning, assessing etc. I dont understand the difference either between what Ofsted expect us as individuals to do and what nurseries and preschools have to do, because I have to say Ive seen what some nurseries and preschools do and its rubbish yet they receive outstandings? Also, and this is my major gripe. I know a childminder who is just awful. She is of the mentality of....'if they are crying then make them stop by pushing them outside and closing the door' BUT she must be very good at paperwork because she got outstanding. It makes my skin crawl and I think the practise is entirely flawed.

Indeed.
I also know many education professionals who look convincing on paper but need shooting.Sheer madness.

Totally agree!!!! which is why I haven't picked up a learning journal or opened my filing cabinet since before xmas.
I've had so much disruption recently with the weather etc that I haven't done anything but care for the children and have fun!
So why do I feel guilty, I'm also likely to be losing one of my mindees in April as mum is pregnant, I've spent a year putting together a journal and doing next steps etc but am not due an ofsted inspection until the end of the year so ofsted won't see any of it and I now can't see the point and have lost all motivation for documenting everything other than the information that mum wants ie 'has she done a poo today'!!

lots of cm's find eyfs hard i have been compiling journals for 5 years now they really can be easier than ofsted are making out

for each area of learning e.g. creative development just add in some post it notes of what you observed during play keep them in your pocket and write what happens during play e.g.whilst playing with playdough George said "my playdough is a snake" add a photo if possible and if there is any paper drawings etc add that in my planning sheet also takes about 10 minutes a week I currently have 6 under 5's to compile learning journeys for and takes me less than an hour a week I have shown some of my learning journeys to an ofsted inspector i know and she says they more than meet the requiremnets of ofsted

Yes I know all that lesmom but my point is that is so tedious, and i dont want to walk around with post its in my pocket and i dont always want to be thinking about recording it when we're in the middle of the fun, it spoils it. I find it hard to just put short sentences for things as well because when i get going I find that there is just so much to say about what we have done and I want my paperwork to show how good it was.
Im just having a moan really and its probably because Im just not as organised as you and I do nothing for months and then have loads to do.

'learning journey'
What a pile of shit.

Just imagine the reception teachers at school doing that x 30 children!!! It does seem pointless if only Ofsted is ever going to read it.

excactly...as danthe4th says about the one she has been doing and noone will ever see it.
i tried to show the reception teacher of one of my children once....felt quite stupid after was given v. look

So what happens if you don't do it?