New to keyworker position, feeling overwelmed

[Bex01]

Hi everyone,
The last time I visited this forum I was studying for my level 3 cypw, which I passed with loads of help from here, thanks again.
Now I have got my dream job and I'm on here looking for advise / support from you people again.
So I began at my setting a year ago with 2 keychidren, this was increased to 5 then 8 shortly after Christmas and now, this term, I have 10 keychildren.
My question is this, how do you all keep a track of all your children, make sure they are individualy reaching their goals, keep their learning journals, even make time to interact with them all etc. Even though the most I have on any one day is 6, I'm feeling so out of my depth. Any pointers, tips you use would be greatly appreciated.

[Amanda_97]

Hi! I totally understand your position, I was very overwhelmed by the whole keyworker situation as well! I have 9 and like you, I'm lucky if I see them a few times a week.

I found that by knowing when the children come in, I felt prepared and I control. The best and easiest way to go about observing them is just that, watching them! Categorise their learning into the following catergories, messy play, floor play, table play, role play and outdoor play. Then note down the different things they do in each category. For example, if you have a four piece puzzle out that they can't quite do yet but are close to managing, note down that they can't do it and their goal is to be able to confidently complete a puzzle by a certain date (I often say by the end of the next week or month)

Pictures help a great deal and often can cover a lot of ther development. Speaking to the children about how they feel on certain aspects of nursery life can be written down too. Anything you find interesting, the parents will too!

I suggest if you are struggling, ask some of your other colleagues how they find time to do theirs. In a nursery, everyone has to work as a team and they will be more than willing to help.

Hope this helped!! Amanda ��

[Bex01]

Thanks Amanda, I will have a go at your ideas.