SEPTEMBER 2024

[loocyloo]

And here we go .... hurtling towards the end of the year at breakneck speed!

Hope everyone has a great start to the term, that any new starters settle quickly and well, funding issues are sorted and we all have lots of fun!

[Pixie dust]

Fingers crossed for a smooth term but I am well overdue a visit from our friends at Ofsted so I await the call. We are still waiting for final confirmation re our local funding agreements but have been assured we will get our first payment at the end of the week. It really frustrates me that it varies across the country about what settings have to do to be able to claim the funding from their local council. We have to submit soo much paperwork here

Won't be long before we will all be talking about the 'C' word

[loocyloo]

Oooo, in the nicest way, i hope you get the call soon Pixie. It's 6 years now/currently between visits! ... i had a minor panic i was due, but realised i still have a couple of years to go!

[Maza]

Oooh, how are you feeling Pixie - do you feel as ready as you can be?

I've just got one new one starting. He's the third one in the family that I've had, so that makes it that bit easier, don't you think? Whenever you get a new one, it really makes you realise how settled all the others are.

I've got Christmas presents for my mindees already. I got them a book that I had wanted to get them last year but couldn't get hold of them. Now I just have to make sure I remember where I have stashed them come December!

[loocyloo]

oooo, what book have you got Maza?

I'm totally uninspired this year! I didn't do books last year, but had done for the previous few years, and I couldn't find one I liked enough that I haven't already given to them all! I usually make more of a fuss for their birthdays, and Christmas is just a little something. I also have 6 of them with Birthdays in Nov/Dec !!!

[Maza]

Loocyloo, I got them 'The Sweet Smells of Christmas'. I had/have a couple of children who were/are obsessed with smelling things, and I thought this book was a bit different. DD had it when she was little and we enjoyed it. It's American, so some of the smells we wouldn't necessarily associate with Christmas, but they will still enjoy smelling those pages.

[Pixie dust]

Oooh, how are you feeling Pixie - do you feel as ready as you can be?

Some days I feel ready and others no ! The trouble is I have 3 new ones starting this month, one whose mum said wouldn't be bothered at all has been a real cling on this week, not wanted to come in either so have had to take them from mum. If another child came and sat with me they have shouted and tried to push their way on to me (20 months old ) I have a SEN 4 year old who can be quite challenging. Half of me just wants it to be over with the other half hoping it will be a bit longer !

[loocyloo]

Hugs Pixie. It's hard.

When i was last due, i had a little one who had really not settled well, and 6 mths in, was fine with me, but didn't 'do' visitors! I told the inspector this, and she agreed to come on a day this child wasn't there.

[Pixie dust]

Hugs Pixie. It's hard.

When i was last due, i had a little one who had really not settled well, and 6 mths in, was fine with me, but didn't 'do' visitors! I told the inspector this, and she agreed to come on a day this child wasn't there.

That's interesting to know as I was discussing the other day with someone from my LA if I could ask them to come on certain days due to having a SEN child who struggles with visitors coming to mine.

[loocyloo]

That's interesting to know as I was discussing the other day with someone from my LA if I could ask them to come on certain days due to having a SEN child who struggles with visitors coming to mine.

I think it depends on the inspector! a friend had one who told her she would be coming on a monday or tuesday regardless of anything the childminder had planned, and was then very abrupt when she was there! but always worth asking!

[SYLVIA]

My schoolies went back on Wednesday. My youngest has been away on holiday for a fortnight and is now screaming and clinging to mum or dad at drop off. Hoping it’s better this week. My grandson went into yr2, had two days back then had his tonsils out on Friday and now has 2 weeks off!! I’ve got my 3 little ones xmas pressies and one for my friend yesterday at wisley flower show. I think I’m due ofsted visit soon but hoping it’s next year when the two little ones are a bit holder

[SYLVIA]

I said before that my grandson has 2 weeks off re tonsils out. We had a storm on Saturday and the lightening struck a post outside their house. The whole village has no internet but their router exploded and all their electric sockets are black! I think they had a lucky escape although grandson is gutted that he can’t play his new game without the internet. My daughter works from home so she’s a bit stuck too x

[Pixie dust]

I said before that my grandson has 2 weeks off re tonsils out. We had a storm on Saturday and the lightening struck a post outside their house. The whole village has no internet but their router exploded and all their electric sockets are black! I think they had a lucky escape although grandson is gutted that he can’t play his new game without the internet. My daughter works from home so she’s a bit stuck too x

oh no I bet that must have been scary for them, I hope they get it fixed soon.

[Maza]

I said before that my grandson has 2 weeks off re tonsils out. We had a storm on Saturday and the lightening struck a post outside their house. The whole village has no internet but their router exploded and all their electric sockets are black! I think they had a lucky escape although grandson is gutted that he can’t play his new game without the internet. My daughter works from home so she’s a bit stuck too x

Gosh, how awful. Sometimes you (I) forget how dangerous storms can be. Hope they get it sorted soon. How is your grandson after his operation?

[SYLVIA]

Gosh, how awful. Sometimes you (I) forget how dangerous storms can be. Hope they get it sorted soon. How is your grandson after his operation?

He’s fine thank you and enjoying 2 weeks off school. His brother whose 9 had his out in may. So hopefully not so many colds and sore throats this winter

[Mouse]

Hello everyone! Long time, no see

I do pop on from time to time, but I was logged out for a long while and just couldn't get logged back in. I could read posts, but couldn't reply. It seems to have sorted itself out now though.

I haven't had any new starters this term, but have got one coming in November. He's the sweetest little thing so I'm hoping he settles quickly.

We have actually cut down on our numbers a bit. I work with an assistant and we were ridiculously busy up until the end of last term. With the increase in funding rates it means we can have fewer children for the same income. My assistant has dropped a day and we only have one really busy day now, so it's working well.

[loocyloo]

Nice to 'see' you Mouse.
Enjoy the calmer times xx

[Maza]

Awwww, I was wondering where you were Mouse! I thought you were probably busy getting all your Christmas shopping done and wrapped...

[Ellisha]

Just popped on to see if people were still posting here! Woo, it's like an old friend! Hope everyone is well, I know I was never a really regular poster but learnt so much from everyone over the years. What's everyone up to now it's October? We are Autumnal and my little ones (not the new babies) are into dinosaurs...so dinosaurs eating conkers and pumpkins

[Maza]

Hi Ellisha, good to hear from you!
Mine are really into hedgehogs at the minute. My neighbour has got a new fence with hedgehog holes in the bottom of it and we set up some hedgehog homes the other day. They are making hedgehog homes all over the playroom at the minute with any box they can find. It's really sweet.

The weather was stunning today! We went on a wonderful walk. I've got such a calm, settled bunch at the moment.