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Taleasoldastime
13-11-2013, 07:28 PM
My cominder when to play group today and another childminder told her to meet the requirements of the eyfs (working in partnership with parents), we now have to provide weekly homework to each child?? This childminder was told this at the last local forum meeting (that we weren't told about - don't get me started!!) can anybody shed some light on this?

moggy
13-11-2013, 09:08 PM
Goodness me, how things can be misinterpreted!

We need to work together with parents to support their child. Read EYFS 1.11... it says 'engage and support'... so suggesting an activity to help a child who is struggling with something, recommending fun place to go that you know the child loves and the parent hasn't thought of, if a parent hates messy activities in the house you might suggest some less messy sensory activities, talk with parents about how they are approaching weaning or potty training etc, let child take a book home to share at bedtime if parents do not read to child usually etc etc. You probably do it anyway. As usual, it is pretty much common sense. It also covers working with parents to get support if specialist help is needed, like suggesting a speech and language drop-in at the Family Centre.

Bluebell
13-11-2013, 09:08 PM
hmm - I think maybe this is another way of saying to be effective at working with parents and suggesting learning opportunities at home -next steps. Like we really enjoyed singing this song / reading this book - passing book home so parent can share too.
One of the pre-schools my little one goes to apparently set home work for the parents but I really don't like the term 'homework when talking about lo's
I'm not sure it specifically says it in the EYFS? I can't remember seeing it but perhaps I haven;'t interpreted it correctly! Maybe Sarah or someone else with a little more knowledge will clarify!

FussyElmo
13-11-2013, 09:12 PM
I think your cm friend may have since a document that was sent out by am la who said that homework should go out. It said a lot of other things too but it not stated anywhere in the eyfs (which is law) that we have to send homework home. Like the others have said you may on a firday night tell a parent that that they have really enjoyed playing with playdoh so the parent follows it at home.

Taleasoldastime
13-11-2013, 09:31 PM
thank you for your replies, i feel we are already working well with parents (and ofsted agreed a couple of weeks ago at last inspection), so i am no overly concerned about this - it just seems very unnecessary work, when what we already have in place works well!! i thought i had missed another new document or something :panic:

Maza
13-11-2013, 09:38 PM
Sorry, but this makes me so MAD! He/she has totally misinterpreted things. Sorry, (I'm in a bad mood so forgive me) but how can someone misinterpret things to that extent? Where on earth does the EYFS state that we must provide weekly homework??? It doesn't. Does this childminder enjoy sensationalism?

Taleasoldastime
13-11-2013, 09:44 PM
i didnt speak to her personally, it was my cominder, but from how i understood it, it was how it was explained to her at the LA forum meeting Maza, rather than her coming up with it herself. i have our ey consultant coming at the end of the month - i hope she doesnt suggest it!

Maza
13-11-2013, 09:56 PM
Maybe she has misinterpreted the word 'homework' as this conjures up images of worksheets which then need to be marked. Of course we should be offering suggestions of how to take the child's learning further or how to consolidate something, but I don't do this on a weekly basis. x

Simona
13-11-2013, 10:06 PM
My cominder when to play group today and another childminder told her to meet the requirements of the eyfs (working in partnership with parents), we now have to provide weekly homework to each child?? This childminder was told this at the last local forum meeting (that we weren't told about - don't get me started!!) can anybody shed some light on this?

Oh yes ...I give homework to all my under 5's each day and put it in the diary so that parents can do it and return it in the morning
I send at least 5 worksheets home for numeracy, literacy and handwriting!!!!

Tell you cominder to understand it must have been a joke and we are nowhere near April 1st......what next I wonder?? :mad:

FussyElmo
14-11-2013, 07:06 AM
Oh yes ...I give homework to all my under 5's each day and put it in the diary so that parents can do it and return it in the morning
I send at least 5 worksheets home for numeracy, literacy and handwriting!!!!

Tell you cominder to understand it must have been a joke and we are nowhere near April 1st......what next I wonder?? :mad:

Its not a joke Simona a la has produced a document saying that homework should be given. A lot of other recommendations was on there too :rolleyes:. Perhaps this member and her cominder come from that la as it caused quite a stir over on fb :D

Simona
14-11-2013, 07:40 AM
Its not a joke Simona a la has produced a document saying that homework should be given. A lot of other recommendations was on there too :rolleyes:. Perhaps this member and her cominder come from that la as it caused quite a stir over on fb :D

It has caused a stir on FB? that maybe so but it makes it no less a joke.
Any LA that suggests we give under 5's children homework has, in my view, lost sight of what EY practice is about, child development and early learning

Has anyone challenged this LA? has anyone named the LA and discussed this ridiculous suggestion in the open and not just FB?

I criticise my LA for giving ridiculous paperwork to cms and if they told me to give homework to my children I would go a bit further than go on FB...utterly ridiculous....sorry my view!

FussyElmo
14-11-2013, 07:55 AM
It has caused a stir on FB? that maybe so but it makes it no less a joke.
Any LA that suggests we give under 5's children homework has, in my view, lost sight of what EY practice is about, child development and early learning

Has anyone challenged this LA? has anyone named the LA and discussed this ridiculous suggestion in the open and not just FB?

I criticise my LA for giving ridiculous paperwork to cms and if they told me to give homework to my children I would go a bit further than go on FB...utterly ridiculous....sorry my view!

That's alright to the people who would challenge their la. However not everyone is confident in themselves to do so.

Its not a joke to the childminders who are being told this information and yes Sarah as usual wrote an piece to put members mind at rest.

Simona
14-11-2013, 08:03 AM
That's alright to the people who would challenge their la. However not everyone is confident in themselves to do so.

Its not a joke to the childminders who are being told this information and yes Sarah as usual wrote an piece to put members mind at rest.

I do understand that some cms may not be confident... or challenge but this request is nowhere in the EYFS so why even consider it?

I am sure that Sarah will have written about it but it makes no difference if the LA will be left to continue with what I call inappropriate practice and left unchallenged?

There is a huge need for cms to understand that when it comes to being inspected no one is going to be there to hold their hand or guide them or speak for them...we need to learn to be 'assertive' and positively challenge and not accept anything that some 'bodies' throw our way

For as long as it remains on FB and not discussed in the open and reported the problem will stay there and the LA will continue to push what it totally 'unacceptable'...once again my view but I wonder how many disagree?

bunyip
14-11-2013, 10:40 AM
As Fussy says, a lot of CMs don't have the confidence to challenge their LA - or don't have the time to "go round in ever increasing [sic] circles" trying.

There's also the problem of what do you do if your LA is quite dictatorial and simply refuses to deal with you if you don't do things their way? eg. Ours will only accept their own pro-forma All About Me form for communication between settings.

Add to that, all the CMs whose idea of training and personal development is based on the "Mushroom Theory of Learning". ie. They're happy to be kept in the dark and occasionally fed on BS by their LA, DO, and the gossip grapevine, cos that's so much easier than taking responsibility for oneself. :mad:

Tazmin68
14-11-2013, 11:51 AM
Hi
I was inspected in September and one of my recommendations was that I promote home learning in that on a regular basis I send children home with some form of homework such as a story sack with book and activities or sensory bag and this also applies to the children under 1 year.

Deb

munch149
14-11-2013, 12:35 PM
Hi I was inspected in September and one of my recommendations was that I promote home learning in that on a regular basis I send children home with some form of homework such as a story sack with book and activities or sensory bag and this also applies to the children under 1 year. Deb

If I sent my resources home I would never get them back. At least not in one piece x

rickysmiths
14-11-2013, 01:09 PM
I have lost count of the number of resources I have sent home and never seen again!

I am seriously thinking of charging a £25 Deposit when parents sign a Contract to cover the cost of them. :D

Simona
14-11-2013, 01:17 PM
Hi
I was inspected in September and one of my recommendations was that I promote home learning in that on a regular basis I send children home with some form of homework such as a story sack with book and activities or sensory bag and this also applies to the children under 1 year.

Deb

That is quite acceptable if cms feel like sharing their resources so that the parents can do similar to our setting, that can also be promoted by home visits
In fact the Home Learning Environment (HLE) is what is now quoted very often to deal with 'disadvantaged' children whose parents may not be engaging and promoting learning...this is not to condemn those parents as we must help those who may find it more difficult than others.

It all stems from the EPPE research and is part of working with parents...EPPE being the resrach Truss is fond of quoting but possibly never read herself or she would not come out with such hopeless reforms!!

So yes I accept this and often ask parents to bring their child's favourite toy or book and I give them my resources to use at home.
The original comment said 'homework'...that is the wrong terminology to use as less experienced cms may well misinterpret this and get panicky.

Yes Bunyip ...some LAs are prescriptive but unless their request is also a requirement of the EYFS no one has to follow their instructions....isn't that what Truss has done by removing restrictive conditions or do we all want to be cloned and do the same?

My LA has a variety of paperwork they circulate...the reason I don't use is simple: I don't understand it and prefer to use my own devised following reflection of my practice so on the day of inspection I can clearly explain why and how I use it and what results I get.

CMs run small businesses and we are small entrepreneurs.....therefore owners and managers, we want to remain 'independent' and that also entails having to embark on an assertiveness path that leads to being confident and argue against 'unnecessary' bureaucracy.

The day that independence is taken away from us we will be doomed to go into agencies or give up!

FussyElmo
14-11-2013, 01:19 PM
I give my parents homework every Friday - no really you non doubters.

I tell them to enjoy their weekend :laughing::laughing::laughing:

k-tots
14-11-2013, 01:28 PM
If I sent my resources home I would never get them back. At least not in one piece x

Snap we may only have one type of resource ie one book with puppets. ..unlike nusreys/schools who are more likely to have more than one

Simona
14-11-2013, 01:45 PM
If cms feel unable to share their resources for fear they may never come back...what other methods do they use to promote sharing learning with parents and how do they record it and evidence it to Ofsted?

gef918
14-11-2013, 01:55 PM
I had a mindee who was given weekly homework by his pre-school. His mum complained that either they didn't have time to do it, or if they found the time the child wasn't interested. From that point of view, the pre-school was 'ticking the box' about engaging home learning, but in reality it was of no benefit at all to the child or the family.

As a childminder, I feel that just by sharing what we have been doing and what the child is interested in is 'homework'. For example, A really enjoyed playing with gloop this afternoon - here's how you make it. Or we've been singing Twinkle Twinkle today and B was joining in with some of the words and actions.

sarah707
14-11-2013, 03:26 PM
I give parents lots of ideas for things they might like to do at home - I share information about places we have visited - I suggest activities to follow up our planning...

For example, this week we are having great fun with nursery rhymes and I've put a little booklet for parents with words and some pictures on the parents page of my website...

I don't think of it as homework and neither do they it's just sharing fun! :D

Simona
14-11-2013, 06:53 PM
I give parents lots of ideas for things they might like to do at home - I share information about places we have visited - I suggest activities to follow up our planning...

For example, this week we are having great fun with nursery rhymes and I've put a little booklet for parents with words and some pictures on the parents page of my website...

I don't think of it as homework and neither do they it's just sharing fun! :D

Has anyone come across PEAL?

Home (http://www.peal.org.uk/)

and why PEAL makes an impact on children's learning
Evaluation (http://www.peal.org.uk/training/evaluation.aspx)

rickysmiths
14-11-2013, 10:40 PM
Yes I went on a course with them several years ago. It was excellent. Went on another course in mid October REAL which was excellent also and free.

One of the main ways we share with parents and they with us is through Learning Journals to which we both contribute. I get feed back on what children are doing at home and they get feed back from me in spadefuls about what the children have done while they are with me. I am often asked by parents what can they do and I willingly share information lead them to websites and suggest resources they can get to compliment what I do and likewise I may buy things that enhance what is done at home to follow a child's interest.

I do not however refer to all this as 'Homework' but sharing information with parents.

Simona
14-11-2013, 11:21 PM
Yes I went on a course with them several years ago. It was excellent. Went on another course in mid October REAL which was excellent also and free.

One of the main ways we share with parents and they with us is through Learning Journals to which we both contribute. I get feed back on what children are doing at home and they get feed back from me in spadefuls about what the children have done while they are with me. I am often asked by parents what can they do and I willingly share information lead them to websites and suggest resources they can get to compliment what I do and likewise I may buy things that enhance what is done at home to follow a child's interest.

I do not however refer to all this as 'Homework' but sharing information with parents.

Absolutely...homework is totally the wrong word to use!

Tazmin68
15-11-2013, 06:57 AM
I already use daily diary, newsletters about what we are doing and where we are going in the holidays. I use QED trackers which I give to parents every half term so they can out input in. It was suggested by the inspector that I send send sensory bags and story sacks home with children with activities to follow up on. The wording given by inspector was to promote home learning. I know one family wil just damage anything that I send home. I have already had the sensory bag returned stained.

Deb

sing-low
15-11-2013, 08:03 AM
I had a mindee who was given weekly homework by his pre-school. His mum complained that either they didn't have time to do it, or if they found the time the child wasn't interested. From that point of view, the pre-school was 'ticking the box' about engaging home learning, but in reality it was of no benefit at all to the child or the family.

As a childminder, I feel that just by sharing what we have been doing and what the child is interested in is 'homework'. For example, A really enjoyed playing with gloop this afternoon - here's how you make it. Or we've been singing Twinkle Twinkle today and B was joining in with some of the words and actions.

I agree with this 100%. There's no point in doing something that is just ticking the box. I think as cms we have an opportunity to be really creative with the way that we share learning and ideas with parents. I have lent toys and books (so far, so good with returns) and as I have a large selection of parenting books, I am thinking of starting a lending library for parents. I made playdough last night so will add the recipe to daily diary today. I think that we can also complement 'home learning'. I know some parents shy away from messy play so I make sure to do plenty.

bunyip
15-11-2013, 08:49 AM
I have 'home activity' pages bound into my daily diaries - about one a month. They describe an activity to try at home and it's usually linked to the current 'next steps' goals for the child. The sheet also includes space for parental feedback on how it went, how it might be made better, and space for them to update me on the child's current interests. I make up some of the activities and take other ideas from books. Some parents love this, others don't bother - but at least it's evidence that I'm making the effort to fulfil my side of partnership with parents and extending the learning at home.

I do lend resources, but do so judiciously, depending on whether I think a child will lose small pieces, or has a dog at home to chew stuff, etc. I've always had things returned, possibly because I promise to add the cost to the invoice if it goes missing (said with a friendly smile, but I think they know I mean it. :rolleyes: )

IMHO the problem is that EYFS regulates for something that may already be happening, and Ofsted apply judgments/sanctions if you're not improving all the time. To explain. Some parents are already highly proactive in their child's learning and development, and thus need little if any support in this. Some CMs, nannies, nurseries, etc. already do support home learning and have good systems to talk, review, share ideas and discuss L&D with clients.

OTOH, some parents just can't be bothered, whilst others have made a conscious decision to steer clear of anything 'educational' in the early years and just let their lo "have a childhood." Despite all the lip-service paid to 'diversity' and 'parental choice' this latter position is one that is not tolerated by the authorities.

There are also CMs and other settings who've never done much to communicate or support the idea of home learning. Their L&D responsibility begins when the lo arrives a the door (preferably on time to the last second) and ends with them being propelled back through that doorway, shoes and coat on at the ready, and again bang on the dot of pick-up time. Information sharing with the parent is limited to the bare minimum: "he's been fine" or maybe push the boat and and say "she's getting really good at walking now."

I have no problem with DoE's desire to see practitioners working with parents to extend and support L&D at home.

But when this is coupled with DoE's and Ofsted's obsession with 'continuous improvement' it is quite likely to reach the level of 'overkill'. It is no longer enough to be doing enough, because the inspectors demand that you do more. Political soundbites about "raising the bar" are all very well, but they forget that some providers are already clearing the bar, whilst other can barely be bothered to get their trainers off the tarmac.

The regulation is:-


(Taken from EYFS Statutory Framework 1.11) The key person must seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development at home.

The problem is that inspectors don't seem to understand that a CM may indeed "seek to engage" only to run up against a brick wall of parents who do not reciprocate in that engagement. Or s/he may already have a perfectly good way of working that isn't broken, doesn't need fixing, and yet isn't good enough to meet Ofsted's obsessive demand for 'continuous improvement'. One can only assume that should Truss ever be packed off to the Dept of Transport, she will be seeking 'continuous improvement by looking for motor manufacturers to quite literally re-invent the wheel.

Simona
15-11-2013, 09:30 AM
I already use daily diary, newsletters about what we are doing and where we are going in the holidays. I use QED trackers which I give to parents every half term so they can out input in. It was suggested by the inspector that I send send sensory bags and story sacks home with children with activities to follow up on. The wording given by inspector was to promote home learning. I know one family wil just damage anything that I send home. I have already had the sensory bag returned stained.

Deb

Yes ..the buzz word is to improve 'home learning'
There is a huge campaign going on about this and has been for a few years now

It is to do with supporting parents to improve their 'home learning' not by newsletters or sending toys but by encouraging to share 'good practice'
Some of the parents we refer to are very poor hence they may not be able to afford story sacks

Bunyip...I find it hard to accept that 'some parents cannot be bothered'...we should not judge as we hope not to be judged...sorry no offence is meant
This is not about sending toys home to improve learning...EPPE was written in 2004 so it is not new and it gets quoted everywhere not just by politicians but in Early Childhood studies

Take a look
http://www.ioe.ac.uk/RB_pre-school_to_end_of_KS1(1).pdf

After that REPEY was researched...same things came out and CMs included in that study too and written by some of the same authors who still speak for Home Learning

http://www.ioe.ac.uk/REPEY_research_report.pdf

Mouse
15-11-2013, 09:39 AM
I do send 'work' home with my funded children each week.

It's all linked to what the children have been doing here and what their interests are. Each child takes home a folder of 'resources' that I make. It might be a colouring sheet I've printed out, or laminated sheets with a whiteboard pen so they can write on the sheet then wipe it off. That's good for handwriting practice, learning their name etc. I've also sent resources home to help with counting, number, letter and colour recognition etc. I also print off and laminate pictures from the books we've been reading so the children can use them to help talk about the story at home. I put in a list of suggested games they can play, websites they might want to look at etc.

One mum insists on calling it homework, while I insist that it's not. More often than not the children are really keen to go through their folder, but I stress that parents mustn't make them sit down and work.

For the younger children I send colouring sheets or picture cards that I've made, again with a list of suggested activities.

The majority of my parents are very happy with what I send home. For one child in particular it has made a massive difference to he learning & development. He has very young parents who didn't really know how to help him, so it's been very useful to them.
One mum isn't so interested, but the child loves taking their little bag home each week and often comes back with their picture cards all scribbled on. She'll tell me all about them & what she's drawn on them. Mum is starting to take notice, especially when she's realised that her child is naming colours, shapes etc & telling a story.

I can see a lot of benefit in sending activities home, but I never see it as homework.

lilac_dragon
15-11-2013, 11:53 AM
Interesting thread -
Our school Nursery class sends the 3 year olds home with weekly Homework, to be returned the following week!
I've just done it with my 3x3yr olds at the request of the parents, who didn't have time to do it, and also admitted to not having a clue about where to find the leaves needed.
This weeks was identifying leaf shapes and bringing the sheet back with the correct leaf attached to the relevant picture.

If Ofsted come this week, my Planning Diary clearly states that we spent one day doing the los Nursery Homework instead of what I had planned to do! That should count as Working In Partnership.
Hmmmm maybe I should send the los into Nursery with some Homework from me for the staff to help them with? There's a challenge!

bunyip
15-11-2013, 01:42 PM
Yes ..the buzz word is to improve 'home learning'


Bunyip...I find it hard to accept that 'some parents cannot be bothered'...we should not judge as we hope not to be judged...sorry no offence is meant


No offence taken, but there times when making a judgement isn't a bad thing (and I don't think the sermon on the Mount was delivered with specific regard to early years learning and development.)

Aside from any other considerations, I'm rather obliged to take it at face value that a mum can't be bothered with all this (ie. home learning activities) when she looks me in the eye and says, "I can't be bothered with all this."

Maybe it's just what goes on outside London's wealthiest boroughs. :huh:

sarah707
15-11-2013, 02:09 PM
Maybe it's just what goes on outside London's wealthiest boroughs. :huh:

What exactly are you trying to say about those of us who live oooop north? :cool: :D

loocyloo
15-11-2013, 02:17 PM
I have 'borrowing bags' that go home ... some parents are keen, some not so keen, some return them, one has been gone 3 months and mum has no idea where it is! some return intact, some have been used and some return 'well used' and need replacing!

most of the bits in my bags are things I have picked up at car boots/charity shops/etc with the occasional item bought especially for a bag.

I really like mouses idea of sending colouring sheets/books/resources etc home, but I could already tell you now which of my 8 EY children would bring them back looked at, and which wouldn't. one mindee loves to take things home, but they never get taken out of the bag. even if the child carries the bag separately, it gets put in childs bag in car and there it stays, and its always at the bottom of the bag when child next attends. ( I should be grateful though - all my parents DO at least, read the diaries! even if they don't comment! )

Mouse
15-11-2013, 02:20 PM
Aside from any other considerations, I'm rather obliged to take it at face value that a mum can't be bothered with all this (ie. home learning activities) when she looks me in the eye and says, "I can't be bothered with all this."

:

Sounds just like me when my children used to bring work home from school that had to include input from parents :blush: Don't get me wrong, I have no objection to helping my children do their homework, but I do object to being set family tasks that have to be done more by me than by the child. Out of earshot of my child I have often be heard to say "I can't be bothered with this"!

Carol M
15-11-2013, 04:05 PM
As already stated the EYFS seek to engage etc
I find myself supporting parents within the 3 prime areas, particularly PSED and CL eg behaviour management strategies to work on together, healthy eating, language development ideas etc. I will lend resources happily but unfortunately I have "lost" books and dvd's/cd's.
I don't send home "work sheets" or the like but will direct parents to sites where relevant activities and/or information are available and put info on my notice board about local or national initiatives to get involved in , places we have been to and enjoyed, Childrens centre timetable, library info and photos of activities we have been enjoying, then it's up to the individual parents to uptake as they wish.
I make notes in my diary of info that comes from home and I think I have a great two way exchange that leads to the learning and development here and at home. :) Homework!!!!!! pfttttt!!!
Carol

mrstom
15-11-2013, 04:16 PM
I have 'borrowing bags' that go home ... some parents are keen, some not so keen, some return them, one has been gone 3 months and mum has no idea where it is! some return intact, some have been used and some return 'well used' and need replacing!

most of the bits in my bags are things I have picked up at car boots/charity shops/etc with the occasional item bought especially for a bag.

I really like mouses idea of sending colouring sheets/books/resources etc home, but I could already tell you now which of my 8 EY children would bring them back looked at, and which wouldn't. one mindee loves to take things home, but they never get taken out of the bag. even if the child carries the bag separately, it gets put in childs bag in car and there it stays, and its always at the bottom of the bag when child next attends. ( I should be grateful though - all my parents DO at least, read the diaries! even if they don't comment! )

What do you put in your borrowing bags Loocyloo? Do they follow a theme? It's something I really like the idea of and would love to try and do myself. Are they along the lines of story sacks?

loocyloo
15-11-2013, 05:20 PM
What do you put in your borrowing bags Loocyloo? Do they follow a theme? It's something I really like the idea of and would love to try and do myself. Are they along the lines of story sacks?

Sort of like story sacs... But with less items in. Some have a book with a toy or puppet to help tell the story. Some also have a non fiction book that ties in, or a game ( got some elmer snap cards at car boot! To go with elmer story, elephant toy and elephant book ) I have song puppets and books such 5 little ducks.
I have several child's play board books with songs in. These have instruments/soft toy added.
I have cds and ribbons, bats and balls, a couple of dvds with puppets, puzzles and games, playdough is a big favourite. I'm thinking about putting together a craft and painting bag.
Each bag has a note book with ideas to extend the activity-other books, songs etc. Sometimes I put links to websites for ideas. There is usually a question or 2 for parent to ask child ( to help them extend play ) I ask parents to write a comment as to something their child enjoyed. But frequently I write the comment in when bag returns!
Each bag has a photo on it of contents! Same photo is on notebook!
It took a bit of work to set up in first place and now I'm overrun! I keep seeing things and thinking "that would be a good bag! " if there is something someone is into I might put a bag together for them.
Have fun

Edited to say. .. usually the children choose which they take home or parents request one but I also sonetimes send a specific bag home that will extend something we're doing!

mrstom
15-11-2013, 06:07 PM
Sort of like story sacs... But with less items in. Some have a book with a toy or puppet to help tell the story. Some also have a non fiction book that ties in, or a game ( got some elmer snap cards at car boot! To go with elmer story, elephant toy and elephant book ) I have song puppets and books such 5 little ducks.
I have several child's play board books with songs in. These have instruments/soft toy added.
I have cds and ribbons, bats and balls, a couple of dvds with puppets, puzzles and games, playdough is a big favourite. I'm thinking about putting together a craft and painting bag.
Each bag has a note book with ideas to extend the activity-other books, songs etc. Sometimes I put links to websites for ideas. There is usually a question or 2 for parent to ask child ( to help them extend play ) I ask parents to write a comment as to something their child enjoyed. But frequently I write the comment in when bag returns!
Each bag has a photo on it of contents! Same photo is on notebook!
It took a bit of work to set up in first place and now I'm overrun! I keep seeing things and thinking "that would be a good bag! " if there is something someone is into I might put a bag together for them.
Have fun

Edited to say. .. usually the children choose which they take home or parents request one but I also sonetimes send a specific bag home that will extend something we're doing!

That is brilliant! Thanks so much for the ideas, I'm definitely going to be putting some together :)

bunyip
15-11-2013, 07:28 PM
What exactly are you trying to say about those of us who live oooop north? :cool: :D

You and I don't exactly live oop North now, do we. We each live on our respective motorway service stations. :D

Simona
16-11-2013, 08:47 AM
I am not sure that we are discussing the difference between sending 'homework' home, in whatever shape or form, and supporting parents in their Home Learning Environment?

To me the 2 are totally different

We can send home the best resources we like but if parents are disengaged or not able to use them that is where the HLE becomes less than effective...for instance if parents have a problem reading to their children what is the point of sending books home?

this is what EPPE is all about...sharing with parents and supporting them, also devising policies that can be used at home and in our setting so improving 'consistency' ...this is one of the most quoted paragraphs from that research
''what parents do is more important than who they are''

I would add to this Bunyip..'''and where they live matters not...north or south'''

bindy
16-11-2013, 09:05 AM
No way would I be sending home, home work. My parents would flip!! Yes we do work together and discuss child's interests and where they are at etc etc. Most parents are not idiots, they do not need me to tell they how to teach their own children! I know some do not look too much at their LJ does not mean they do not care about their children's development.

clairer
16-11-2013, 11:04 PM
Urm..no!

Definitely no homework set here.

Or I may ask for teachers wages!

bunyip
17-11-2013, 11:09 AM
Ah, yes: "disengaged". That's the word I was looking for. Isn't the 'professional' terminology so much nicer than the straight "can't be bothered" ?

Btw, I never mentioned any North-South divide. I merely hinted that there might be a significant difference a propos parental engagement and children's attainment between wealthy districts and deprived ones (regardless of geographic location.) This is supported by a massive amount of evidence from studies over the past 150 years. I have lived in three London Boroughs: one was one of the most deprived, and it was bounded by the other 2 (both amongst the most affluent) to both North and South.

Anyway, none of that (nor our individual anecdotal experiences of individual families) matters next to what CMs really need to take out of this debate, which is:-

1. We are under a regulatory duty to "...seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development at home..."
2. We owe it to ourselves to make sure our inspectors see we are doing that, and not holding us accountable for parents' lack of response when we "seek" to achieve that goal.

From what I hear, this is another area like 'partnership working with other settings'. A CM may me making all the effort, but getting no response from other settings/parents/whoever - and inspectors are penalising the CMs. We need to make it clear when we are doing everything possible for our part, and not be held responsible for another party's lack of response. We also need to be clear that we wish to be judged against regulatory requirements, and not against the lazy/arbitrary misinterpretations made by some inspectors. :mad:

Simona
17-11-2013, 09:04 PM
Ah, yes: "disengaged". That's the word I was looking for. Isn't the 'professional' terminology so much nicer than the straight "can't be bothered" ?

Btw, I never mentioned any North-South divide. I merely hinted that there might be a significant difference a propos parental engagement and children's attainment between wealthy districts and deprived ones (regardless of geographic location.) This is supported by a massive amount of evidence from studies over the past 150 years. I have lived in three London Boroughs: one was one of the most deprived, and it was bounded by the other 2 (both amongst the most affluent) to both North and South.

Anyway, none of that (nor our individual anecdotal experiences of individual families) matters next to what CMs really need to take out of this debate, which is:-

1. We are under a regulatory duty to "...seek to engage and support parents and/or carers in guiding their child’s development at home..."
2. We owe it to ourselves to make sure our inspectors see we are doing that, and not holding us accountable for parents' lack of response when we "seek" to achieve that goal.

From what I hear, this is another area like 'partnership working with other settings'. A CM may me making all the effort, but getting no response from other settings/parents/whoever - and inspectors are penalising the CMs. We need to make it clear when we are doing everything possible for our part, and not be held responsible for another party's lack of response. We also need to be clear that we wish to be judged against regulatory requirements, and not against the lazy/arbitrary misinterpretations made by some inspectors. :mad:

Oh my dear Bunyip..you are very hard man to pacify!

Yes parents can be disengaged but so can providers be!
I have had many nurseries and preschools complaining they could not engage with cms...indeed as I run my preschool for 8 years, prior to becoming a cm, the hardest task was to catch cms and share info...it was a game of 'catch me if you can'!!

The system is not prefect, Ofsted and inspectors are not perfect, we are not perfect but my vision is to be 'positive' and hope one day we can make a difference and work together for the sake of our children...as I always say 'look on the bright side of life' and hope we can make positive changes..one day it may become true.