Nursery - Days Happy

Ask most people, "If you could have anything, what would you want and what would you do if you got it?" and the answer they'll most likely give is along the lines of, "Have lots of money in the bank".

That's it.

If I had lots of money in the bank, I know what I would do with it.

I'd buy a home, a big one.

I'd like it to be a place I could share as a school, if parents wanted me to teach their children in a homely and encouraging atmosphere.

Somewhere private, not too isolated. Kids need to explore and not be too frightened. They need to learn about other people and about places they may want to visit.

Easy access to cultural places and transportation.

Sufficient funds to provide this and cover the expenses which would include trips and outings, transport, et al plus room and board.

I'd love to be able to provide a large area of land for the pleasure of dog owners, somewhere carefully designed with them in mind. Lots of interactive play areas to keep the pets exercised physically and cerebrally. They're far more intelligent than we often give them credit for and I'm sure they must be bored.

The British are known for being lovers of animals, we've set standards and constantly interrogated them for means of improvement throughout our history. It may seem eccenctric, but I'm sure any animal lover would appreciate what kind of reaction it would have on a dog.

Cats take themselves off for adventures independently, whereas a dog is limited by their circumstances and owners, not to mention the dangers of neighbourhoods nowadays. I'd be bored if I was a dog, wouldn't anyone?

I love children, if I could have more myself, I would. However, I'm 47 and incredibly fortunate in having given birth to 4 healthy and happy children.

I'm told I'm menopausal, in fact, I've passed that point - having not had a period for approximately 18 months. I'm not in a relationship, one fallopian tube and ovary were removed during the early stages of my last pregnancy - with my 4th child (Ovarian Cyst - overactive corpus luteum about the size of a baby's head, but bigger). All these were removed at approximately the 13th (or so) week of gestation. I have now a scar that looks like I've had a C.Section. rather than the bikini line scarring the surgeon had suggested and promised.

Plus, I'm single.

I don't go out on dates because there's no one I've met who I want to go out with who's also single. I don't like cheats or liars. There seems to be a lot of single minded men out there too.

I don't travel to places at the drop of a hat, not because I don't want to, but because I have other things I want and need to do too .... these take priority.

I love being at home, I've had a fair bit of practice when it comes to keeping myself occupied. I like to share knowledge, engage young minds and see where their thoughts take them travelling.

I get excited  discussing things that I love, like English... it's language and heritage and modesty (of course).

I think the best way to teach children is to discuss things, get them interested and then ... with support... assist them in the next step of learning for them and actively develop their own critical self assessment skills.

Learning should be a life long accomplishment and each individual has been equipped to allow it, a school that I lead would recognise as each aspect was considered and how to assist in implementing it to constructive beneficial fruition.

The best environment for a child who's learning is a place where they feel they're at home. I still think they should be allowed to negotiate what that includes because as they become part of it, the space they share should have elements that are requisite to their happiness. Open honest exchange of information is vital for these to be in place or prepared for implementation.

All students would be positively encouraged to be honest.

I've always had a long winded rule that I remind my children of occasionally, this:

"Don't lie to me, I'll know or I'll find out. And, telling me the truth is not the worst thing that could happen. Telling me a truth that involves you doing something bad might involve me being annoyed and telling you off, maybe even shouting. But, I would be pleased that you were honest and brave in telling me about it.

If you come to me first and tell me about it, it's unlikely you'll be punished, though you maybe given a series of tasks to do in order to resolve the issue. So it's better to  come straight to me and explain what's happened straight away, that we can see what's the best way to sort it out. It may not even be a problem. Everyone makes mistakes or feels guilty when perhaps they don't need to.

However, the worst thing that could happen is; that you do something bad and then lie to me about it."

The best environment for young minds should provide an open and encouraging supportive application of what's valued by establishing a place where honesty is consistently proven, accepted and rewarded. This would initiate the recognition and chain of respect and how it's mutualality is affected and implemented from the start.

Children will test this, that's natural. It's an invaluable learning process for all involved. Identifies each individuals current perspective and highlights aspects of development to be prioritised.

I'd get rid of schedules, I'd prefer to maximise every opportunity.

Like Socrates, Aristotle, ... I'd teach practically.

Children should play, play is the most important means of learning and practice for a child to assess their performance and realise any weakness that needs additional work to improve.

Assessment shouldn't get in the way, observation and regular conversation should be sufficient with rigorous analysis for reviews.

I'd like to teach the children who want to use their knowledge rather than have a pretty certificate that's forgotten in a draw or is a dust collecting object on a wall they prefer not to look at generally. (just put it somewhere Else)

I think each child should set their own learning pace, I'd give them that opportunity and share in it.
Having a place for myself and my children that I could call  home, somewhere they all feel safe, where I  am there for them and still able to do things like writing and painting, and able to afford to do it all, That would be my reward.

Then I could help other people, I'd invest all surplus monies in schemes involving people like myself. People who want a better life, are thrilled and happy about the work it involves and know what should be included and why - it's important.

I'd help them first.