Saturday August 26, 2006

After the Nursery School interview, all I have been able to think about is them telling me Ill never work in a preschool/nursery school because I refuse to take ECE. After Im finished school I could teach ECE thank you. And boy, when someone tells me that I am not good enough or implies it that fuels me. BIG TIME. The thing with me is I never feel like I have to prove myself to anyone. I give my best and if people dont like it - not my problem. So in this brainstorming, planning and soon to be executing - is by no means to show those people who and what I am. I want to be a pre/nursrey school teacher. After doing some research before my interview, I've found it to be something that I feel I would really enjoy.

So here is the plan. Im converting our basement (Rodney has already given the green light and is so damn supportive!), well about half of our basement into the preschool. I have a tentative floor plan and realize that start up costs are going to be pretty steep but we are getting prepared. Some basic changes will happen like a faux wall separating the room into two separate ones and painting 2 walls either yellow or green. One wall will have a huge bullentin board to display art work and the weekly schedule for parents. At the bottom of the stairs will be the coats, mitts, hats and backpack area. No boots/shoes - they will stay upstairs for Shayde to sniff all day. Another wall will be the blackboard and the painting area. The faux wall Im thinking or storage for toys, books etc. Ill have a table and stools for coloring, finger painting etc.

I will accept toddlers (2 to 4ish) because the development age is so broad that it would be tough accomodating 3 different development stages for something like this. Nappers are welcome ;) and Ill take potty trainees.

I have a rough daily schedule that includes daily art time, circle time, learning time, free play, nap/quiet time, outside time etc etc etc Most three year olds nap for even an hour so I should be good for at least an hour break. If not - no biggie. Im thinking 730 would be the earliest Id accept a child and 5 would be the latest I could keep them. The most I am thinking of taking is three full dayers. Id take a fourth if it was a kindergardener, because they are only 2 or three days a week.

So far for outside time Im thinking in our front/back yard - which we will get fenced in (YIPEEE) and then maybe every Friday we would walk to the near by park for extended outdoor play (weather permitting). Im also thinking in the summer months that once in a while I would convince the parents to leave car seats and borrow my mom's van and take them to the beach or a paddling pool (Petawawa needs a splash pad like the base in Kingston) and possibly in the winter months taking them to the new indoor kids play ground.

I am finding planning pretty easy to do. Sunday evenings will most likely be spent preparing for the week and you bet your ass that Ill be getting Rodney involved.

Yes its going to be informal but Im hoping that any of my parents will speak up about the structure, activities and learning. Experience is experience.

I have totally changed my education plan.

Im switching from a 4 year to a 3 year psychology degree. Then Ill be taking the one year BA in education offered at Nippising or Ottawa U. So basically in the same amount of time as getting a 4 year Psychology degree Ill have a psych degree and a degree in education. BOOYA! Depending on where Rodney and I are in the relationship, I may take a year or two or three off and be a primary school teacher for the formal experience and (moreso) a break from papers and reading. This would allow me time to (ahem) plan a wedding or have a baby (ahem). I would them most definitly return to school and complete a masters in education. BOOM DONE! If I go nonstop from now till Im done the Masters of Education, Im looking at 5 or 6 years. 31 and starting a family? maybe. Rodney will be 40 though. eiik. Get the 2 undergrads...pop the two kids out and then go back to school? Bah Im not worried. Either or Ill be happy.

So that is the latest!

Monday August 21, 2006

Alright alright...I guess its time. Although I could sum things up in a matter of a few words...right now is a slight up with a whole bunch of twists and turns.
Rodney is in Petawawa and I think he is starting to really mesh in with the guys. The P.T. has kicked up a good notch, so he is being whipped into shape! Damn he is hot!
I work quite abit in Kingston over the next three weeks, so this is going to be tough. Not only being here and R being in Pet but I have nothing here. I have my Human Anatomy and Physiology books and nice shiny silver lap top so Im sure Ill keep busy!

I had the interview and it was rather interesting. Four women asking question and taking notes. They were running a half hour late and the interview was about an hour and a half. I rocked the demonstration. They loved the props that I brought for the story and the song went well!! When they asked if I was putting my degree on hold to take ECE or if Ill wait until after my degree...I literally said "pardon????" So the woman said it again, and I said...I have no intentions what so ever of taking ECE. All four of them got these digusted looks on their faces and asked why. And boy was I truthful! Why would I take a 2 year diploma when I already know everything that is offered and have way more theory. So I was told that I will never work in a preschool or a nursery school OR a day care because the Ontario Nursery School and Day Care Act is weeding out all of the teachers that dont have ECE. At this point I know they arent going to hire me. So then one of them asks me for my three reference letters, which I dont have because noone told me to have letters. And when I initially called about the job and where to send my resume, the woman (who was the woman that asked me for the letters) told me that names and phone numbers attached to my resume was great. (hmmm?) Then she asks for a copy of a Criminal Reference Check. Yah ok...they wouldnt take the one I had before....they want one from yesterday. Again, had they told me this, I would have done it. At this point Im really trying hard to not tell them off. Then Im asked for a medical certificate for them to photocopy. Um...who carries a copy of that??? So I told them that I wouldnt be able to get one from my family doc because she isnt booking physicals until November. Now they are just completely disappointed. So I pulled out the letter that they sent me as a confirmation of the interview to double check that they didnt infact ask for this. Nope! So...when I walked out...I was ceratin that they already knew who they were going to hire....so...ladies...thank you SO MUCH for wasting my time!

Now I want to get one thing straight. I am by NO means dissing ECE. I applied and got accepted to ECE when I was applying to schools and I probably SHOULD have taken it. I also have a really good friend that took the program and is WONDERFUL and does a great job! My problem is that there are many people out there with other credentials that are GREAT with kids and make great teachers. Please tell me how a 20 year old ece grad with no experience is better than someone with university education, years of experience and references to boot? WTF!!!!

After all of this...maybe I should set up my own private nursery school/preschool!!!

So the opportunities in the area now are McDonalds = NO, Pizza Pizza = NO and the new call center = you have to be kidding me!!! So Im really not sure what's going to happen now. I gave Mary another month of work which is really only 2 weeks (the first and the third week)
An informal (to start) DayCare/Nursery school is definitely an option. We have a finished basement that could be shared if we block off the back so the kids dont play around the washer and dryer and his army gear. Everything would be worked around what the children's ages are but I would take 3 toddlers to kick things off. Its still all in the early stages of development.

I really hate it when someone implies that Im not good enough! I know Im a great Nanny and I know Im an excellent teacher!

I think that is it for now.