"Workers not Shirkers"

[Washersaurus]

Is apparently the motto of a preschool that one of DH's friends keeps recommending to him as an alternative to the nursery DS1 currently attends.

Sounds a bit hard-core for my liking, is this type of focus on work usual for a preschool? I think I would prefer him to spend time playing.

Oh, fgs!
My friend is a nursery nurse and they have to fulfill all sorts of ridiculous learning related criteria, for example, the children must not colour in, they must draw thier own picture because it will make them think more!? Can't they do both? Workers not shirkers is a bit scary!

It sounds a bit Communist.

God, this modern obsession with the work ethic is making me want to take all my clothes off and live in a commune.

is this in the continent of eurasia. do the children have hate hour?do shout four legs good two legs bad

I have an image of small children in uniform being marched about army style for some reason.

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
marching wee 'uns,all singalong now

DH should tell his friend that he's a plonker.

Over a nice, friendly pint, that is.

pick a nice friendly nursery, stimulating actibvities.not baby borstal with mental mantras.nursery should be fun

Is the motto meant for the staff? Sounds v odd for small children!

He is already in a nursery which I have been very happy with, but they have recently lost a lot of their long term staff and I have been a bit concerned about the way things are heading IYKWIM, so I was having a quick scout about to check our other options.

Very appropriate motto for staff, completely loony if aimed at the children.

Message withdrawn

Well, it's nice that they have it as their motto so that parents know to run very very quickly in the opposite direction...

Look at ofsted reportsenter your postcode. word of mouth also invaluable eg another mum recommendation

Did any of the long term staff go to a local nursery?can you check that out?
good luck

Must be motto for staff. That would scare off any parent I know

Yes, I would hope so, MrsR!

Even so, it still sums up an unpleasant image. Most kids would much rather have a shirker than a worker.

Unless they are working at shirking of course.
Minimum wage, long hours, pushy parents and now no shirking. Where will it all end???
I like you Desi, I have always found you very fair and independant minded fwiw

Thank you, MrsR .. and likewise. I won't forget your help this week. You have a friend in me.

Ahhh thanks for the Ofsted link I knew they had a good rating but couldn't find any further info as they don't have a website . Anyway it turns out they are using the Montessori system of learning - does the motto fit with that approach does anyone know?

Thanks desi that's lovely

Nursery staff that have left DS's nursery have either become childminders (as pay is far better) or have found jobs closer to home as they were travelling quite a distance to work. One girl actually chose just to leave with no job to go to - that worried me a little!

That's one of the reasons why I love the SureStart Nurseries.

DS only does his free 12.5 hours per week after the age of three, but I'm mightily impressed. The staff turnover is very low, because they work for local government, so are looking at a pension, job security, etc., etc.

I never saw such a bunch of committed young women. The whole ethos is marvelous, especially in juxtapose to the government's general trend of test, test, test.

The kids just play. DS came back today with his face painted, having made Rice Krispie cakes, and having met a new friend called Arthur.

And they leave the door to the playground open all day, come rain or shine. If a kid has a yen to go outside, a member of staff follows them and stays with them until they want to come in again.