View Full Version : Happy New Year!
Mouse
01-01-2024, 10:55 PM
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope you’ve all had a good Christmas and New Year.
I’ve had a very busy but great time. It seems to have been non-stop from before Christmas Eve till today. I’ve got the rest of the week off work though so I’m hoping to have a bit of quiet time. It’ll be nice to out my feet up :D
Pixie dust
02-01-2024, 09:25 AM
Happy New Year too!
We had a very similar sounding Christmas/New Year as we had various family visiting and staying everyday between Christmas and New Year so it was very different for us, I normally have a couple of chilled days in-between Christmas and New Year where I watch a movie eating Christmas chocolates. Yesterday the last house guests left and the decorations were put away then my husband and I looked at each other and said how quiet it was with just the two of us :laughing:
I am back to work today and it was shock when the alarm went off this morning, to be fair I have been waking up at the same time over the holidays but it was nice knowing that I didn't have to get up and enjoy a slow start to the day. I have a quiet couple of days then term starts on Thursday here so we will back on the school runs.
Enjoy the rest of your time off Mouse and anyone else who is still off.
loocyloo
02-01-2024, 01:51 PM
Happy New Year to you all.
We had a good, but busy Christmas catching up with people.
I'm back at work tomorrow, and am spending today getting straight! Got a busy few days, but not planning on doing much .. just getting the children outside into the wood etc. School starts back next week, so bracing myself for a busy time!
my phone has decided to do, what seems to be a major update, and everything everything has changed, so i need to sit and look at it, and fiddle around till i have things back where/how i like them! GRRRR!
Happy new year!
We've still got the decs and tree up - anyone else? We'll take them down tomorrow, on the 6th.
Well, that's week one back at work done and dusted! It was a decent week really. One of my older ones left at Christmas, and although I'll miss him terribly, he was stuck with babies/toddlers, and so I had to set up activities just for him. It now feels like less work having just the one age group to set up for for the majority of the week.
Hope you are all back in the swing of things!
Pixie dust
06-01-2024, 09:19 AM
Morning!
We take our decorations down on the 1st Jan as I like to get everything all tidy before getting back to work. I had a quiet couple of days then Thursday was back to normal. I don't work Fridays so was a short week working week for me. I did go food shopping yesterday and was surprised how many children were about but then realised that they hadn't gone back to school yet. I live near a county boarder and the two counties do not follow the same term dates.
My current bunch are now all 3 so it's lovely most of the time :laughing: I will be losing 3 to school in September so no doubt there will be a couple of little ones here again then.
Maza are you ready to start the EYPDP next week as you did say you got a place didn't you ?
Mouse
08-01-2024, 06:28 PM
It was my first day back working today and I'm shattered! I had a bit of a lazy week last week, so it was a bit of a shock to my system! Luckily the children all came in happily and were excited to be back with their friends. Apart from it making the day a bit noisy and manic, it was lovely that they all played so happily together.
Morning!
We take our decorations down on the 1st Jan as I like to get everything all tidy before getting back to work. I had a quiet couple of days then Thursday was back to normal. I don't work Fridays so was a short week working week for me. I did go food shopping yesterday and was surprised how many children were about but then realised that they hadn't gone back to school yet. I live near a county boarder and the two counties do not follow the same term dates.
My current bunch are now all 3 so it's lovely most of the time :laughing: I will be losing 3 to school in September so no doubt there will be a couple of little ones here again then.
Maza are you ready to start the EYPDP next week as you did say you got a place didn't you ?
Yes, I have started. I did the first unit tonight. I'm doing my webinars on Monday evenings. Have you started?
Pixie dust
09-01-2024, 08:59 AM
It was my first day back working today and I'm shattered! I had a bit of a lazy week last week, so it was a bit of a shock to my system! Luckily the children all came in happily and were excited to be back with their friends. Apart from it making the day a bit noisy and manic, it was lovely that they all played so happily together.
I was shattered too last night even though I started back last week:blush:
Pixie dust
09-01-2024, 09:01 AM
Yes, I have started. I did the first unit tonight. I'm doing my webinars on Monday evenings. Have you started?
No I haven't looked at the unit yet as was so tired last night ! I am doing my webinars on a Tuesday night ...I looked on the Facebook group to see who else is in the group as everyone was asking who was in which group but only 2 people have commented they are in the group so I will have to wait and see next week :blush:
loocyloo
09-01-2024, 01:57 PM
I keep being harassed by my LA to sign up and do the course. And whilst it sounds interesting, i really don't have the time, or in reality, the inclination to do it!
First 'proper' day back today ... it appears that none of the little ones had anything approaching their usual routine over the holidays, and parents all wondered why no one wanted to go to bed last night/ get up today etc! Fine once they were here and through the door but :rolleyes::panic::laughing: it was a painful morning for drop offs!!!
I enjoyed the first module last night, but I was glad when I got to the end. I'm sure some weeks will be really tricky to fit it in, especially when we have a webinar to attend too. My first aid is up in a few months too, so that will be a busy time!
Have you all watched the post office drama on itv? It's a really 'good', but shocking watch. We also watched 'Man Up' - the show about Viagra. That was really good too. DD and I are very excited that Traitors is back!
Mouse
12-01-2024, 10:56 AM
I enjoyed the first module last night, but I was glad when I got to the end. I'm sure some weeks will be really tricky to fit it in, especially when we have a webinar to attend too. My first aid is up in a few months too, so that will be a busy time!
I’m on my second term now and we’re on to the maths module. The webinars are every other week for this module, rather than weekly. I thought that would be better, but it means doing 2 online learning sessions beforehand. That should be easy enough ( one a week) unless you leave it all till the last minute and have to try completing 2 units the night before the webinar :o:laughing:
loocyloo
12-01-2024, 02:02 PM
I messaged childcare.co this morning, because the forum was down, and had been for a while. Richard replied to say it was up again, but software etc running forum is old and not many people use it!
Well i think we know that! Seems to be a very small and select group of us!
I can't join Facebook group as i don't have my own account, and i don't think DH would appreciate me joining under his name :laughing: Its a shame that a childminder business page can't join! (My business page is linked to DHs account!)
Anyway ... I'm feeling that the forum may be on borrowed time now :(:(
Didn't mean to 'like' your post loocyloo, because I don't! It made me sad. I love this forum and missed it so much when I couldn't get on for a few months last year. I also noticed that it was down and got a bit worried. This forum is unique and very special.
On a different note, I sent out my holiday dates for Easter last week. I have just received a message from a mum (several days after I had sent them out) saying that it clashed with a skiing holiday that she wants to go on (without her children) and was I able to change my dates. I don't want to change my dates, and I won't, but I am feeling a bit cross now that I will be made to feel like the bad guy. There's always something with this this particular family. Wish I could afford to go skiing!
loocyloo
13-01-2024, 07:53 AM
I know what you mean Maza. I sometimes like something, not because i like it but need/want to acknowledge it!
Please don't change your dates! Say sorry, but these are my dates! some parents!:rolleyes:
I too, wish i could afford to go skiing ... actually, i don't want to do actual skiing, but to go away and have some time in the alps or where ever would be nice. ( I used to go skiing as a child, and loved it - did all the runs etc. Went skiing in Australia ( !!! yes really! in Mountains near Canberra :laughing:) in my early 20's and had a 'moment' of sheer terror on an easy run and forgot how to ski, and although i've skied once since then ( 20 plus years ago ), in scotland, i stuck to nursery slopes, and nothing could induce me to get back on ski's ever again!
Pixie dust
13-01-2024, 08:54 AM
Oh I thought it was my computer playing up when I couldn't get on the forum :blush: It will be sad if it goes as this I feel this little community is so supportive, everyone is friendly and willing to help. It's like a warm hug :blush:
Maza I think parents think that we are at there beck and call, I think they feel that we work for them and have to do what they say :angry: I have got better at saying 'no' as the years have gone by.
I have started to get quite a few enquires from parents who can have the new funding from Easter but unfortunately I have no availability until September. We haven't had the final hourly rate from our LA yet but they want copies of updated policies and invoices to update our funding agreement, if they don't like our policies we have to change the wording which I don't think it right as they are our policies.
Anyway enjoy the weekend what ever you are up to, I am having a quiet one.
loocyloo
14-01-2024, 08:59 AM
Ooo Pixie ... that doesn't sound good if you have to change things in your policies!
I'm still waiting for information about how much the funding will be, but have warned all current parents hoping to use it, that they may need to pay a 'session' fee as well. I've told them all, that they need to be on top of making sure their codes are valid etc, as i won't be chasing for them, and if they are not valid, they will be liable for all fees for that term. I have a funding agreement from LA that i have to use, but I'm going to add an additional section to state the above in words of one syllable!
Mouse
14-01-2024, 11:52 AM
I messaged childcare.co this morning, because the forum was down, and had been for a while. Richard replied to say it was up again, but software etc running forum is old and not many people use it!
Well i think we know that! Seems to be a very small and select group of us!
I can't join Facebook group as i don't have my own account, and i don't think DH would appreciate me joining under his name :laughing: Its a shame that a childminder business page can't join! (My business page is linked to DHs account!)
Anyway ... I'm feeling that the forum may be on borrowed time now :(:(
It would be a shame to lose this forum. I know I haven’t been as active lately so I’m trying to get back to posting more regularly.
Wouldn’t you consider setting up your own FB account Loocyloo? We could just transfer the chat here to a select FB group! I am a member of the main FB group, but rarely post on there as it’s just too big and busy.
loocyloo
15-01-2024, 07:30 AM
I could try! :laughing:
But something that always interests me, is the number of 'non members' or members that are apparently reading / searching posts without commenting.
Hello:waving: 'lurkers' ... come and say hello. We're all very friendly and chatty. (And none of us know each other in 'real' life!)
Mouse
15-01-2024, 09:55 AM
I could try! :laughing:
But something that always interests me, is the number of 'non members' or members that are apparently reading / searching posts without commenting.
Hello:waving: 'lurkers' ... come and say hello. We're all very friendly and chatty. (And none of us know each other in 'real' life!)
I haven't looked at that info for ages so had a quick look.
The last new member registered in 2021, so we've had no one new for years!
Any new members have to have their posts moderated before they're posted. I've got a feeling there isn't anyone moderating the group so even if they do register and try posting, it doesn't happen so they give up.
loocyloo
15-01-2024, 04:40 PM
I haven't looked at that info for ages so had a quick look.
The last new member registered in 2021, so we've had no one new for years!
Any new members have to have their posts moderated before they're posted. I've got a feeling there isn't anyone moderating the group so even if they do register and try posting, it doesn't happen so they give up.
oh, that's a shame.
Pixie, did you enjoy your webinar? Mine was ok. I am enjoying the reading parts more.
Hope everyone is nice and warm x
Pixie dust
17-01-2024, 08:44 PM
Pixie, did you enjoy your webinar? Mine was ok. I am enjoying the reading parts more.
Hope everyone is nice and warm x
Mine was ok but I think I am going to enjoy the reading parts more too! Hopefully the webinars will get better once every one is used to it. I have a mixture of childminders and nursery practitioners in the group.
SYLVIA
19-01-2024, 10:00 PM
I don’t post anywhere near as much I used to but I still feel I can post and get useful feedback whether it’s business or personal. My friends in the face book forum and is always saying the chats get heated or they are sometimes just stupid questions. I’m not on Facebook personally
We’ve had an indication of new funding rates but still not confirmed. They are looking quite competitive. They have mentioned in communication that if these rates are confirmed, we should seriously consider whether we need to charge for consumables. Apparently last year they had record number of complaints from parents asking where their free hours were.
I don’t post anywhere near as much I used to but I still feel I can post and get useful feedback whether it’s business or personal. My friends in the face book forum and is always saying the chats get heated or they are sometimes just stupid questions. I’m not on Facebook personally
We’ve had an indication of new funding rates but still not confirmed. They are looking quite competitive. They have mentioned in communication that if these rates are confirmed, we should seriously consider whether we need to charge for consumables. Apparently last year they had record number of complaints from parents asking where their free hours were.
Wow! Just wow!
loocyloo
20-01-2024, 12:18 PM
If we get the rates that are currently being 'consulted' about in North Yorkshire, then I won't need to charge a sustainability fee. However in that my term time only children pay a higher fee (so they don't pay during school holidays), they will still need to pay something.
Everytime i have a new set of parents taking the funding at least one is horrified/amazed that i am not paid my regular going fee and that the govt think it's fine to 'underpay' us, and hence, happily pay a sustainability session fee.
Mouse
21-01-2024, 03:46 PM
I wish they would hurry up and tell us what the actual rates are going to be. Our LA says they'll tell us soon, but by the 31st March at the latest!
I also wish the government would stop calling it "free" hours. I thought they were supposed to be taking that off their info, but everything I've seen still calls it "free". On the website it does say the "free" childcare hours don't include consumables, but how many parents are going to read further than the word "free"?
Personally, whatever the rates, I'm going to charge parents for meals or get them to provide a packed lunch.
I wish they would hurry up and tell us what the actual rates are going to be. Our LA says they'll tell us soon, but by the 31st March at the latest!
I also wish the government would stop calling it "free" hours. I thought they were supposed to be taking that off their info, but everything I've seen still calls it "free". On the website it does say the "free" childcare hours don't include consumables, but how many parents are going to read further than the word "free"?
Personally, whatever the rates, I'm going to charge parents for meals or get them to provide a packed lunch.
The problem that I would see with that though, is that if I am having to cook for one child, I may as well be cooking for them all and making the extra pennies. I would want all of them to bring their own lunch/tea, or none of them.
Yes, we are finding out our rates at that time too, Mouse.
loocyloo
22-01-2024, 08:50 PM
I provide meals for everyone, no exceptions! That way no arguments over who has what.
I did ask parents to send pack ups during covid, but it got where as i was being asked to make toast/ cook eggs / heat beans etc, that i decided I'd start doing them myself again :laughing:
Mouse
22-01-2024, 10:02 PM
The only meal the children have here is a sandwich type lunch - I don't cook. I give parents the choice of sending a packed lunch or I provide lunch. I have about a 50/50 split at the moment.
Parents know that it has to be a ready prepared lunch, so no cooking. The most I'll do is help a child peel an orange! I never have any problems with children wanting what someone else has got. They're often interested to see what each other is eating, but from a really early age they know they might have something different and it's just never caused any issues. Maybe I've just been lucky :laughing:
Pixie dust
23-01-2024, 01:34 PM
I provide meals for everyone, no exceptions! That way no arguments over who has what.
That's what I do too, all the parents have appreciated the fact that the children get lunch provided and it has encouraged the more fussy children to eat too. I had an awful visit once from environmental health many years ago when they insisted packed lunch had to be stored in the fridge but not in the children's boxes due to not knowing where they had been etc for me personally it is just easier to provide the food. Environmental health are another organisation where there is no consistency as a friend just had a visit and was told the products she were using were fine but I had been told to use a different cleaning products but we were both using the same product :(
Pixie dust
25-01-2024, 06:29 PM
Maza I have tried to reply to your message but your inbox is full :blush:
Maza I have tried to reply to your message but your inbox is full :blush:
I've emptied it now, Pixie dust
Pixie dust
27-01-2024, 04:23 PM
Maza I have tried to reply to your message but your inbox is full :blush:
Won't let me reply again :laughing:
Sorry Pixie dust. Emptied again. x