So, you think my job is easy?

HELLO LOVELIESS

I hope you’re all doing well! This week I decided to create a lifestyle post, just to mix up my content a bit, if you liked it please let me know and I will try and incorporate more lifestyle based content in my scheduled.

So, some of you may know that I work in early years, mainly with the toddler age and while my job can be fun and rewarding, it’s damn hard sometimes. This post is to address some of the misconceptions about my role.. I’ve been told a few times  “Your job is so easy!” lets discuss that..

Managing 8-15 toddlers is not easy.. Imagine being responsible for looking after that many children in one go.. you literelly have to have eyes in the back of your head at all times to make sure they aren’t eating paint, ripping up books or climbing the book shelf.

The mess.. Understandably, that many children in a room full of easily accessible toys leads to mess. Just as you’ve put away what feels like 10,000 farm animals, you hear the Lego box being tipped over. It’s never ending

Nappies and toilet training.. Some of the things I’ve seen these tiny humans produce in their nappies is unreal, like how is a 2 year old poo bigger than mine? Why is it green though? How did it even get up there? When children are old enough to communicate their bowel movements, it’s time for potty training.. finding random puddles on the floor throughout the day or a trail of leaky poo.. yep, that happens.

Tears and tantrums.. Ah yes, the “Terrible two’s” who knew it would be such a drama to put your shoes on, or give back the toy you just snatched.. Uncontrollable screaming and crying over the tiniest thing.. all day, everyday. It’s rare you won’t find some headache pills in a nursery that’s for sure..

The never ending paperwork.. If it isn’t observations on development, it’s a risk assessment, or a progress check or an accident form, or a medical form or a sleep check or a tracker, or a policy, or  planning sheets.. Shall I continue?

Messy play.. While this is a great learning experience for children and can keep them occupied for a long time, the aftermath is often a tad overwhelming, tryna wipe down 10 kids covered in paint or gloop before they redecorate the place with it is a struggle..

An all female work place..I know this isn’t the case in all nurseries, but my work place has all female staff and from time to time (I’m lying, it’s all the time) things become very bitchy very fast..

Ofsted.. hearing that word will make any early years worker shiver with fear, although you know you’re doing your best day to day you still feel doom and terror when you know they’re coming and the whole setting hits panic mode. It’s a fight for the printer or wall stapler, every man for himself in this situation.

Difficult parents.. Generally speaking most parents are happy enough to leave their children in our care and build professional relationships, this isn’t always the case, I’ve felt genuine anxiety around some parents who believe nothing we do is ever good enough for their little ray of sunshine..

The fight against nap time.. like, why are you trying to fight me? It would make my day if someone made me up a bed and rocked me to sleep after lunch. Think yourselves lucky!!

Staff sickness.. It’s inevitable that occasionally us staff will catch the sick bug or be floored with the flu and can’t come in to work.. some (most) just like to use that excuse to have some time off.. It’s relentless and leaves the rest of us to pick up the pieces, we’re bored of it now.  I’ll change subject before I get myself in trouble.. but don’t think I don’t see you

“Have you been in the garden yet?” No we have not, and do you know why, because its -4 outside and I’m not feeling frost bite today #SorryNotSorry. It’s a requirement that children have outside play everyday, in all weathers.. Thunder storm? Yeah just get an umbrella.. Frozen ice rink playground? just keep a close eye out.. Storm dorris? Just don’t blow away.. come on now.

Over worked and under paid.. You ask anyone who works in education if their pay reflects their work load, they’ll all tell you the same thing. No.

So, tell me again.. Why is my job easy?

Thanks for being here
Kisses and Love
Jazziepickles
xoxo