yep, and who gives a crap! Doughnuts are meant to be eaten. Lets hope they go straight to my chest.

well, its friday night and what a difference a few days makes. its shocking the amount of highs and lows that people can go through, but one of the main things that i like about blogging is the fact that it shows that i am not alone in this cycle. we are all human after all.

Last night after a rather hefty worried email from JY came through (all good stuff, even had his permission to blog my reply back to him) i clarified everything in one email to him that i had felt underneath all the romantic bullshit i had been spouting. I dont know about apples but i reckon one blog or written piece a day keeps the doctor at bay...

I just need to keep my head up and stop all contact and things will get easier. it simple really!

the comments and support i get from all you guys who read this, its all so relevant and helpful. and i know in my heart that nearly 97% of it is true. but i obviously cant be as objective as that, and so you will probably have a few more blogs to wade through like the other day before things pan out....!

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but for today i have a dialemma that has come to a head since my boss announced that we become a childrens centre.

Has anyone heard of the new Early years professional status?

well if you havent it is a new qualification that is aimed at proffessionals working in the early years. it is the equivalent to being a qualified teacher but only in the early years sector.

it is a masters, and you have to have a degree to get on the course. It is also said to be a 'pivotal role' focusing on change,leadership, and striving for improvements in the early years.

basically though it doesnt hold the same weight or status as qualified teacher status. this is because it can be achieved on a fast track route of 3mths, 6mths, or the extended route of 12mths.

this qualification (i believe) has been introduced entirely to raise the standards of private day nurseries. as the ideal route would be a flexible foundation degree in early years (as my collegue is currently doing) and then on to the EYP status. ideal for those who are already working in the sector.

now i do strongly believe that practitioners in the nursery should be educated to degree level, but this is not something i just thought of. when my youngest was at college nursery it amazed me that her keyworker used to write smiley faces on her skin, and the added fact that she couldnt spell. im not being snobby, but there are differences in personality to a person who has had extended education...

i know myself that, ok, i remember piaget, vygotsky and the relevant learning theories, but education is not just about what you know. its about how you think about things as well.

that was going off the subject a bit there, as my dialemma is that my boss wants me to do the early years professional status.

my worries are; how the hell would she pay me? a teachers starting salary is about 19k at the moment i think....my last appraisal she gave me a rise of 50p an hour!!! theres no way, even with government grant money that she would be able to keep up with that.

i would only be able to work in specific areas such as childrens centers, private day nurseries and playgroups. the national union of teachers have been very scathing with their opinions on the qualification so far. this is hardly surprising considering the flack that the pgce gets as well. apparently some school do not take teachers who have done a degree and then the pgce, they believe that the 4yr route of qualified teacher status is the only way. if thats the case, im stuffed!!

the other thing that worries me is that one of the perks to being a teacher is the amount of holiday you get, this is an added incentive to me as i have my two children obviously. but day nurseries are open all year round practically!!

i think my desicion will depend upon whether i can take the short route into the qualification. 3 months is not long and i would be able to continue and do the pgce if i wanted to at a later date. if i have to take the 12mths route full time....then im better off waiting to get on the pgce.

bugger. better start enquiring about my maths gcse!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need it either way!

oh and watch out on sunday, if im feeling brave i may post some pics of the fancy dress party tomorow.....bo peep here i come....

A x