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April 2007... Tantrums leading to Toddlerhood... Eeek

590 replies

geordieminx · 12/09/2008 20:48

Ta da

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Eddas · 23/09/2008 16:44

Pesha, IME it's best to ring all the nursery's you can think of to see which ones have vaccancies. Then look at reports etc. hope you have better luck than i did, of about 10 I rang only the one dc are in had vaccancies but then again I did need 2 spaces. Plus some nurseries did a minimum of 2 days but we can only afford one day. I did try 'but I have 2 dc coming one day' apparently that doesn't count as 2 days Does to my bank balance

I wouldn't rule out the one you liked either. A year is a long time and they may have changed totally by now. If it were me i'd go and see it before ruling it out

Pesha · 23/09/2008 19:17

Thanks Eddas, the outstanding one cant do the hours I need so thats out. I am going to see the one i liked as I'd arranged to see it Friday already so might as well go. The worrying thing though is that the report before that was inadequate too so you really would have thought they'd have got their act together after that iyswim. And with Dylan being so young he can't tell me if somethings wrong but I might go and if I'm feeling brave ill ask them about their ofsted report and if they've improved the problems. These are the worse bits from the report, if you can be bothered to read it all please tell me what you think!

However, risk assessments are not routinely completed on all aspects of the daily provision.
For example, times that babies go to sleep and wake up are recorded, but ongoing checks are
limited and not noted. Children's use of the recently fitted decking area and some outdoor play
equipment has not been fully assessed. A cable and some trailing wires are within children's
reach in a play room. Generally, babies are cuddled while being fed their bottle. However, at
times full consideration for their comfort and safety when feeding is not given and young
babies are not always supervised when drinking from a bottle. As a result, their safety is
compromised.

However, babies are sometimes left in the cushion rings for long periods
with the same toys. Some planned activities are not always effectively managed to include all
younger children, which limits the choice of play available. Although staff are planning some
interesting activities to relate to the Birth to three framework, at times there is little variety in
the play provided for babies and toddlers.

but at times during the day, they are not adequately
occupied. As a result, they begin to wander and some climb on the furniture. Consequently,
children are not always offered sufficient stimulating and meaningful play opportunities to
fully support all their care and developmental needs.

However, children's
assessments have few entries and do not clearly show how each child achieves their stages of
development. Consequently, these documents do not effectively provide staff with clear
information on children's skills. As a result, some activities provided are not fully based on
children's existing abilities and lack the necessary challenge to help them move on in their
learning. This results in some children losing interest in their play and not being fully supported
in reaching their potential.

However, children's behaviour is not consistently
managed, which gives a mixed message. Children are not always kept sufficiently occupied, for
example, as they wait for their lunch, and some begin to get restless.

currently children's assessment folders have few entries. Consequently,
parents are not fully supported in sharing their child's developmental progress.

However, staff deployment is not always effective in ensuring all children
are suitably occupied, such as while staff are involved in their practical duties of feeding and
toileting younger children. Some activities for the younger children are not always suitably
organised to include and support them all to join in. As a result, some babies and toddlers are
left to play with little interaction given.

It does sound a bit worrying doesn't it, its a lot about Dylan's age group not being supervised and occupied properly isn't it? Which isn't good, specially not someone like him who really likes to be doing something and exploring all the time!

Sorry for huge self obsessed post Will post the other things I wanted to say (not about me!) when kids are in bed.

PillockOfTheCommunity · 23/09/2008 19:31

Skott's gf was working in a nursery before the hols as a student placement. It was dreadful, they had very few trained staff and were relying on unpaid college girls to do most of the work. They had her working there for 3 weeks before her CRB came back.

The same nursery has just got an 'outstanding' from ofsted and J's nursery leader went there last week to visit because of that.

IMO and IME the ofsted report isn't worth the paper it's written on most of the time (and that's as a parent who has always used nursery and worked in one too).

oooggs · 23/09/2008 19:53

Bramshott - you were so close (especially to Pesha and we didn't know glad you had a fab time

caz - not bad mummy at all - when James was this age I shut his finger in the car door and whne the door wouldn't shut properly I open it and tried to shut it again had no idea his fingers were there - no thats bad

pesha - there are lots of dodgey nurseries about - its a minefield

eddas - about fuel thief

dippy - glad K enjoyed school

mj - yes I have really noticed the time between drop off and pick up whizzes by - not like nursery

Katy - ds2 is teething - he was a nightmare between 3.30am - 4.45am little bugger delightful child

ds1 has been moaning about being tired so I had him in bed asleep just after 6.30pm - he is shattered

Sexonlegs · 23/09/2008 21:27

Evening all

Pesha, I have to say I am in agreement with POTC re the OFSTED reports. My friend is a teacher (key stage 1) and she said to treat them with a pinch of salt. I think gut feel and seeing things with your own eyes is the best way. Do you know anyone who has any children there? The nursery/preschool where B was and K now is, was inadequate in some areas according to OFSTED (whilst B was there) and I was gob-smacked. I cannot fault the place.

Bramshott, glad you had such a lovely weekend. I assume the girls were elsewhere??

Eddas, you sound on good form. Hope your meeting goes well

Caz, hope M is ok. Not a bad mum at all - these things happen. K had a lucky escape yesterday. She managed to reach my mug of hot tea and knock it over - fortunately not on her, but could easily have been. Needless to say I am moving things higher up from now on.

Dippy, so glad K enjoyed her first day - long may it last.

Hi to MJ, SPB, Elkie, Runny, NL, Oooggs, Luce, GM and everyone I have missed.

Any word from Dooby or Leaky??

Eddas · 23/09/2008 21:47

Pesha, I personally wouldn't be bothered about the not much being written assessment wise. How much can yoiu write on a baby/toddler's progress I know it sounds worrying that they didn't observe interaction, but ofsted are not there long. With dd's pre-school I think she went to 2 sessions (a total of 5 hours) if they went to the nursery for a day they would have limited time in each room.

Also, there's the new EYFS scheme, which began in Sept so everyone is on new rules now.

I'll be honest with you, I didn't even read the ofsted for the nursery dc go too I just went with my heart. It felt good the staff seemed nice and rooms were nice etc etc. Although i'm now wondering if the manager is a bit too happy, she's one of these people that smile all the time and has a put on voice which is always in a happy tone IYSWIM

Sexonlegs · 23/09/2008 21:53

I was the same. Tbh, I never knew OFSTED covered nurseries back then. I just went with my heart/head.

Right, off to bed as am knackered. See you lovely lot tomorrow xx

Eddas · 23/09/2008 21:53

x-post sol, how are you? I am feeling chipper atm sol

The meeting was erm interesting the people running the hall basically can't be bothered/don't have time to maintain the hall so pretty much want it sold off but lots of people at the meeting want it kept, as do I. So they're gonna hold off for a bit, there's a parish plan being drawn up atm so they're going to try and include the hall within that and see what comes of it. It's an old listed building so obviously repairing it will cost a fair bit. Although the oldies that run it atm seemed happy to spend £10k on a new kitchen, doesn't look like it but don't feel the roof is worth fixing or the toilets! The pre-school decorated the toilets and paid for 2 new ones(thanks to my dh) In total they cost about £300(if that) to re-do

Enough hall talk, as you were

Pesha · 23/09/2008 22:12

Thanks for responses, I know ofsted reports not everything really. Its the bit about babies/toddlers not being stimulated that worries me as it was the same in the previous report too and obviously Dylan can't tell me if hes not happy. Don't know anyone else with dcs in any nurserys, they all seem to have family who can help with childcare so Ofsted and my own feeling about the place is all I have to go on. And if I'm going to be spending a small fortune on a place I want it to be damn good!!

Think I'm going to go to bed now and try and stop thinking about everything for 5 minutes, too many things all happening at once atm!

Eddas · 24/09/2008 08:04

Pesha, I know D can't talk, but he's not a tiny baby and he won't be left playing with the same toys for a long time because he'll just move around. It won't be too long before he's talking anyway and can tell you a bit about what goes on. I suppose i'm fortunate that dd goes atm. Although her and ds are in different rooms. Apparently when she sees the stff in ds' room she asks if he's eaten his lunch, is he ok, etc etc, bless her!

I was in much the same position as you back in May and it's horrible. So many things going through your brain, i's hard to switch off.I also don't have friends who send their dc to nursery, as they all seem to have family help Fingers crossed you are able to see a few before the weekend and decide on one

CaptainDippy · 24/09/2008 09:37

Morning! I not a happy bunny this morning - P was screaming between 2 and 4.30am Think she is constipated, poor love Horrid. I was then kindly awoken by a delightful 3.5 yr old infoming me that she had poo-ed on the rug in her room at 6am Yuk yuk yuk! P seems to have settled down for her nap though (please please please) & I am planning to do some work & then try and have a snooze myself before my dad arrives at 12pm.

Where's the sun!!?

Sorry for selfish post.

elkiedee · 24/09/2008 12:00

Ugh, Dippy, that's not nice!

Bramshott · 24/09/2008 12:16

Ah but Oooggs and Pesha - I was with DH on a romantic weekend away - we were busy !!

Off to London for an interview for a job I don't think I want this afternoon - ho hum - remind me why I thought this was a good idea again?!?

CaptainDippy · 24/09/2008 12:24

Not nice at all Elkie Yuk - P still sleeping, dad here now so need to do lunch ...

Ooooooooooh Bramshott

Sexonlegs · 24/09/2008 12:40

Afternoon

Oh Dippy, not a good start to the day. As they say, things can only get better!

Bramshott, good luck with the interview

Hi Elkie.

Hi Pesha, hope you were able to switch off last night and sleep.

How is everyone else today?

All ok here. Been to Jo Jingles this morning and K now asleep.

Had a poo incident here too - another poo fell out of K's nappy - via the leg hole! And that was Pampers!! B nearly trod on it; K picked it up and gave it to me!!!!!

I need better fitting nappies - well K does

Bramshott · 24/09/2008 13:11

Did you manage to have a sleep Dippy?

SOL - I have solved my rabbitty nappy problem with new wraps, but I was wondering also about elasticated pants over the nappy (they are v cheap) or just lots of tights this winter which will at least defer the problem until spring! FWIW, from my limited experience of disposables, I've always found that the Nature ones fit very well and don't 'sag' in the way that Pampers Active Fit do.

Eddas · 24/09/2008 13:38

this thread about chldcare is really worrying me but good to hear that everyone has the same issues

I wanna be able to afford to be a SAHM

Sexonlegs · 24/09/2008 13:55

I'd like to just stay at home full stop, minus the children!!. I am running around like a blue arsed fly trying to fit in all the chores while K is asleep. I feel done in!!!

Bramshott, thanks for the tip re nappies - where can you buy those from?

oooggs · 24/09/2008 14:44

Bramshott - glad you were busy

yes I would love to stay home (with no children)!!!!!!

I feel dreadful - have a head cold and a constant runny nose - thankfully (touch wood) kids are all ok at the moment

Pesha - when ds1 started at nursery, it was brand new so no Ofstead, yes he went because it was a work based one but if I had thought it was crap I would have removed him and stayed at home (and probably not had anymore )

I think it is fantastic and they look after them better than I do and it is just a bonus that they have an outstanding report and are a flagship to all other nurersies in the area who go there to trouble shoot & get help - but this came later.

It is a minefield out there childcare wise. Go with your heart as well as your head

what a load of ramble

cazboldy · 24/09/2008 15:02

I can't afford to go to work!

Have had a lovely morning with a friend who I haven't seen properly for years! and her 7 month old baby boy.... (broody caz) Why is it I can cuddle baby girls and be fine but if I cuddle a baby boy I get broody?

Pesha really hope you get a nursery sorted

M keeps picking her finger and making it bleed, but has a major wobbly if I put a plaster on it.... any ideas???

Sexonlegs · 24/09/2008 16:26

Oooggs, hope you feel better soon. I too have a sinus headache/cold/runny nose K seems off colour today as well - she was a nightmare after her nap. Seems to have a permanenent cough/cold.

Caz, I guess it would outweigh working wouldn't it, unless you were on mega bucks!

Feel pissed off today - af must be due. Feel exhausted and fed up. Dh not back until after the girls are in bed so I miss my aerobics class grrrrrrrrr

Sorry for the whinge.

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2008 16:49

Hi everyone
no time to catch up
T ghas another stinky nappy -lovely!!

Eddas · 24/09/2008 16:52

spb, you don't paint a very good picture of your little boy, all he seems to do is stinky poos

Sexonlegs · 24/09/2008 17:53

Poor T Poor SPB

I am so tired, I just poured apple juice in to my tea instead of milk!! Luckily I realised before I drank any!

Roll on bath/bed time!!

Pesha · 24/09/2008 18:37

Lol at apple juice SOL! Sorry but its the sort of thing I do so always makes me feel good when other people do dappy things too!! My friend bought a birthday card for her dd and couldn't find it for days, bought her another one and then found the original one in the fridge! Obviously put there when unpacking shopping! Sorry K is poorly and being hard work

Oooggs - sorry your feeling crappy too

Cant remember anymore

Oh bramshott - I could have told you some places to go for that too!!

Thanks for all posts re childcare, it is turning into a nightmare. Childminder now not going to do it, will do it temp but not for more than few weeks. Nurserys either have no spaces or only run sessions which would mean on the week when I need D to be there from 11 til half 2 I would have to pay for the whole freaking day - and theres no way I can afford to pay for that Cannot find another CM who does pick up from DC's school and has spaces. There are no after school clubs, play schemes or anything like that. Basically I am fucked!

Think I need to tell people I can't take the job and try and find something that is in school hours. Or I found a couple CMs who have PT vacancies so could do 2 or 3 days after school, just not 5. Think I need to find a job to fit round my childcare rather than other way round Balls [frustrated!]