Talking Early Years: In conversation with Professor Sam Wass
We’ve Got It the Wrong Way Round I’ve just finished recording a podcast with Professor Sam Wass, and I’m still buzzing. He is Director of the Institute for the…
The Twelve Days of Christmas
December 17th 2015
On the first day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:‘A Partridge in a Pear Tree’ – actually no… ‘A promise to make childcare truly free?’
On the second day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘2 Turtle Doves’ – ah, they are an endangered species now – ‘A pair of boxing gloves?’
On the third day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘3 French Hens’ – we all know the Government prefer the French model of childcare!
On the fourth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘4 Calling Birds’ – pretty unlikely though as the Minister rarely calls
On the fifth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘5 Gold Rings’ – which I had to pawn off to pay for lots of nursery things
On the sixth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘6 Geese a’ Laying’ – a pity they weren’t paying
On the seventh day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘7 Swans a Swimming’ – we don’t need any more swans as that’s what we’re all doing anyway!
On the eighth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘8 Maids a’ Milking’ – I rejected them in favour of ‘8 Practitioners Thinking’
On the ninth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
‘9 Ladies Dancing’ – no ta, we want ‘9 nurseries outstanding’
On the tenth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
’10 Lords a Leaping’ – we cant risk those Lords breaking any hips! No, we want ’10 babies laughing’
On the eleventh day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
’11 Pipers Piping’ – we don’t need pipers, instead the sector will continue to pipe up for an ‘11% funding increase.’
On the twelfth day of Christmas the Minister sent to me:
’12 Drummers Drumming’ –
“Rum papa pum, Rum papa pum we need a policy that will not dum dupa dump, a lot of problems in one big lum lupa lump.”
…So please Mr. Minster can you send:
a Christmas gift that will not end;
everything we do for children who depend
On our nursery staff and many friends
Please don’t worry, we won’t overspend
If you invest in us now and lead a new trend.
And speaking of drumming – have a look at this amazing little 3 year old!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break…
June x
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