Guiding The Young Ones

Tag: funding

  • The Unfair Rule 

    The Unfair Rule 

    Being a great childminder,

    Is the most rewarding job.

    But there is an unfair ruling,

    That makes us all want to sob. 

    Anyone in our family,

    Cannot use us for childcare.

    Because they can’t claim funding,

    It’s incredibly unfair! 

    The parents have the added stress,

    They need to find a new setting.

    But the fact that it can’t be us,

    Leads to anxiety and fretting! 

    The little ones they suffer,

    They don’t get our love and care.

    They miss out on our teachings,

    Because they simply can’t be there.

    Or we have to give a free place,

    Yet we have a set ratio.

    So we struggle financially,

    It feels like quite a blow!

    We still have all our bills to pay,

    How will we make ends meet?!!

    Do I not take on my family,

    Or do I simply not eat?! 

    Now we don’t want to cheat the system,

    So when will the government see?!

    We just want fair childcare choices,

    And to help our family! 

    ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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  • The Essential Sector – a Poem to the DFE

    The Essential Sector – a Poem to the DFE

    They once called us key workers,

    And they said our roles were vital.

    But suddenly our voice doesn’t matter, 

    They were quick to take our title. 

    They say “join teaching early years, 

    It’s a meaningful, rewarding career”.

    But they take away with the other hand, 

    And for the future, we all fear. 

    At the moment early years,  

    Is getting pushed right off the rails.

    Please know our country will crumble,

    If our essential sector fails!

    So what do we do when there’s nothing left,

    So many are running on empty…

    Trying to keep our settings alive, 

    Yet your advertising campaign’s got plenty.

    Retention crisis, settings closing down,

    How will we stop from sinking?!

    Yet they reduce our ways to make ends meet,

    We all scream “what were they thinking”?!

    Changing goalposts, more admin, 

    Yet no increase in pay.

    Soon new-borns will be forced in schools,

    If they keep getting their way. 

    Despite the fact that research shows,

    Through play, young children thrive. 

    Child-led, freedom, love and nature, 

    No – the classroom is the DFE drive. 

    “Self employed, well not anymore”,

    The childminders all cry!

    But no holiday pay, no benefits,

    And no pension, we all sigh. 

    The nurseries need to pay their staff,

    Funding is not enough!

    “We are becoming unsustainable”,

    But the government says it’s ‘tough’. 

    The parents need more childcare, 

    “Our jobs require us in”.

    But settings are all closing down, 

    “No one can fit us in”.

    Every single child needs quality,

    Education, nurture and care.

    But so many practitioners are leaving,

    There will soon be no one there. 

    No, our job is not a 9-5, 

    We work more than a 10hr day.

    We’ve built our provisions with time and love,

    Yet now we have no say.

    Despite love and passion, 

    These choices are stealing that drive, 

    Without change our essential sector,  

    Will never be able to survive. 

    ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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