Help regards Staff

Help regards Staff

by: Mel - 15-10-12 18:32

Ok i am in need of help I an Deputy manager of a nursery where the owner is also the manager I am left to run the nursery most of the time. in control of EYFS ECCERS basically everything. 

but the staff I work with don't understand about working from the children they plan using observations but when I was discussing that the children need to be allowed to make things from their imagination my pre- school staff said that that want fit in to our topics which we have to do from the EYFS which I'm pretty sure they don't!!! for example today my pre school lead said that the children were going to make hedgehogs i asked why cant they chose what to make her response was what if they want to make and ice cream that won't fit in with autumn. I asked why did they have to fit in with what the staff wanted? 

I don't know how to explain as I have tried a couple of times does anyone have any ideas in how to support the staff in their knowledge.

by: Tish501

I have the same problem...as owner I am always telling my manager and staff  that 23 children shouldnt all sit down and (last week) do a squirrel.....or a caterpillar the week before....it falls on deaf ears...but in their defence our parents expect their children to have 'made' something each day....I attach a poem to our newsletters each term...entitled 'and what did you do today darling' ...which explains the difference...but the parents still have the same mind set.I know that children should be able to access the craft and be creative individually.....but how do you convince staff and parents ??

by: Cham Chick

We are getting there with our staff. Lots of leading by example, we also do a topic or theme which can include adult led/planned activities and then deviate a bit with children's own interests on a daily basis. The new EYFS has helped with this as it emphasises working with parents, so parents feed us with what the children are enjoying at home so we can try and work with it, it was a good way of getting staff to understand how to include children's interest in an effective way.

by: Janet

Hi Mel

I know exactly what you mean. I've tried and failed to explain this.

Maybe this booklet will give you some ideas. If not its still a very enjoyable read.

http://www.atl.org.uk/publications-and-resources/classroom-practice-publications/playing-to-learn.asp