Monday
It's 7.45am and it's going to be a busy week - it's the Christmas party on Friday. I have worked as a nursery manager for ten years, the past five here at Beechoak Farm Montessori, where we take 80 children from two to four years old. We are very fortunate to be set in ten acres in Epping Forest, housed in three converted barns and to have a selection of miniature animals - chosen so they are near in size to the children - including donkeys, Dexter cows, Shetland ponies and pygmy goats, plus lots of aviary birds that the children can visit.
The Montessori philosophy is to develop children's confidence through using specialist materials plus everyday items. Children are taught to respect each other and encouraged to do things for themselves. If there is one thing we hope to achieve by the time a child leaves, it is to make him or her a happy, confident individual.
I have a long list of jobs to do for the week, starting with a meeting with Julie, our cook, to confirm the party menu - we have two children with serious nut allergies, so the whole party is to be 'nut free'. Help one of the staff wrap the last of the presents, and then depart to make some calls at lunchtime. Confirm with a parent that they are eligible for the nursery education grant from January and explain the system. Adjust the register for next week, as two children are changing sessions, but get interrupted by a call from the senior nursery nurse to say one child has a temperature and four suspect spots. Keep the child with me and amuse her in the office until her father arrives.
Tuesday
Six parents call today about arrangements for Friday! Gently remind them that it has been on the notice boards for four weeks as well as in the newsletter, but patiently explain. Ask the staff not to bring any children into the office as it's full of presents - and Santa's outfit is airing. A staff member comes to talk about a child who has been bitten twice this morning, both times unprovoked. I said I would speak to her mum when she arrives.
Wednesday
Agree to replace a mis-shapen nursery sweatshirt for a parent, but later she admits that her washing machine is playing up. Practise our Christmas songs in the barn, including 'Jingle Bells' and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. Two staff have decorated it with lights, art work by the children and, of course, a tree. It's the first time the children have seen it and they look around in awe. It's magical watching them and I remember how rewarding it is being with children at this time of year.
Thursday
Do final checks for the party this morning - has everyone got a present, do all the staff know where they need to be, is all the food and drink here? As we have two parties, we are operating normal sessions either side to accommodate parents. Father Christmas, alias my dad, rings to confirm he'll arrive half an hour early to practise his 'Ho, Ho, Ho's' and have a mince pie. In the afternoon Pat, our animal carer, arrives earlier than normal to groom the donkeys, Meme and Jemima, who will have pride of place in the barn tomorrow, decorated with tinsel. The children love visiting the animals, especially the newborn lambs and foals in the spring, but we always ensure there's lots of handwashing for health reasons.
Friday
Party day and all the staff are in fairy outfits! The children arrive at 10am, all in fancy dress and a little shy at first as everyone looks so different.But they soon settle and join in the games. The party food goes down well and we get the children ready to perform their songs while the parents arrive and have sherry and mince pies. All goes to plan. Afterwards the parents are quite emotional. Everyone mucks in with the clearing up and people are able to leave a little earlier tonight. Stay to complete odds and ends of admin before setting home for the weekend - looking forward to a hot bath and a glass of wine.
