It’s the last week of school and Quinns has just completed his first year at nursery. When he started last September I wrote about him for the Teach Us Too blog. I mentioned the trepidation that the staff felt reading about Quinns but also how they then fell in love with my boy.

This is my thank you to all the staff who’ve been involved over this year because I really appreciate what they’ve done for him. I’m giving you just a little run down of some of the things that have been thrown at them this year.

Like me they’ve had to come to terms with lots of new equipment. They’ve had to learn how it all works, remember the silly names we’ve come up with for them, and even name some new ones ; the Mean Machine for the standing frame is my particular favourite!

Quinns has introduced them to lots of people with different jobs. More names and professions than the staff care to remember (and we can all admit that we don’t always know our occupational therapists from our physiotherapists but we do appreciate what they do for Quinns).

They’ve gone above and beyond the usual experiences of nursery teachers. Some have even been hoisted themselves while being trained in manual handling. And of course they’ve had to listen to Big Sister who’s been happy to help by pointing out where they’re not doing things quite the same way as me.

A few moments that really stood out for me during the year:

1. When the decision was made to sit Quinns on a teachers knee on the stage in the middle of his class for the Christmas concert. He looked so pleased with himself.

2. After a tiring morning at Bobath I arrived with Quinns, in my arms just woken from a nap in the car, ready for his class photo. I’d given literally no thought to how best to include him but the staff had that covered. The Mean Machine was a great choice and Quinns smiling face in the photo is a constant reminder.

3. Taking part in the races at sports day pushing the Bug didn’t appear in any job description but all the parents agreed that smile was so worth it!

So to all the staff; none of you had any idea what you were letting yourselves in for at the start of the year but I have to say I think you’ve handled it all really well.

For everything, thank you and roll on next year. I get the feeling selfies on the eye gaze for the TAC meeting was just the beginning of something very exciting!