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Nursery: a full day of immersion
At the inter-company crèche “Les Gazouillis” in Montreuil-sous-Bois, there is life from 8 am to 22:30 pm To the delight of the little ones… and their parents! But it is also, behind the scenes, an organization cut to the line, which must both respect the rhythm of the children and offer them early learning activities.
Arrival at the crèche
Eight o’clock am. Accompanied by their mum or dad, the first children, in strollers or baby carriers, come through the “Gazouillis” door. Before going up the stairs to the premises, adults put on disposable shoe covers. On the landing, they undress their little one, place coats and shoes in large wooden lockers, each with the name and photo of their little owner, and put them in slippers. Until 10 am, the flow of arrivals will be almost uninterrupted, to slow down afterwards. But moms and their babies will continue to show up throughout the day. “A lot of parents here work staggered hours,” says Sylvie Mc Philomy, general manager of the establishment.
Awakening the senses
Shortly after their arrival, the children begin to have fun, find their bearings and their little friends. There is no shortage of space and toys! In addition to the dining rooms, the dormitories and the motor skills room, three rooms – each dedicated to an age group – wrap around an outdoor patio, on the ground covered with a fall protection coating. A safety barrier surrounds the corner of babies (3 months-1 year), in a large room at the end of a corridor. Half a dozen infants chirp there. The little ones, lying on rugs or propped up in their deckchairs, pull on mobiles suspended from the ceiling by an elastic band. Others crawl happily on all fours or stagger on their little legs. All under the watchful eye of Sylvia, educator, and Isabelle and Rachel, auxiliary assistants.
“We take the children out as often as possible,” explains Madeleine, a childcare assistant. In the patio, in the park… We even go to the market! We buy fresh vegetables there for the cooking workshop, which takes place every other Wednesday morning. They love ! »Before a musical gym session with Nénée, another assistant. We move our arms and legs, we shake our heads, in short we have fun! Then comes the time for a reading break. In the middle of the morning, the children are divided into drawing and salt dough workshops. For three quarters of an hour, the little hands give it their all, who to scribble with great reinforcements of large markers, which to knead the dough and make a car, duck or house. Then we tidy up and the children wash their hands at the small sink located just behind.
Everyone at the table!
11:30 am While the babies are fed at their own pace, in their space, the “toddlers” (1-2 years old) have lunch in the refectory. Food, awakening to taste and a balanced diet: these are Madeleine’s reserved areas. “I also ensure that individualized reception protocols (IAPs) are respected for children with allergies, as well as that of cultural differences: for example for children who do not eat pork. Every day, we write down the menus on a binder, and they are reassessed every month, ”explains the young woman. Children who have finished their lunch take off their bibs, get up and empty their leftovers into a bucket, impressing their application and discipline. One by one, the most skilful of the children and the “older ones” (2-4 years) come to help themselves, their plates in hand. On the menu: tomatoes, beef meatballs, ratatouille and, finally, applesauce. Once the meal is over, some even bring back, on their own initiative, the dirty cutlery and bib trays. “Being in community care allows them to acquire autonomy very early on,” says Marie-Pierre Cavodeau, educator of young children and head of the “toddlers” group. If they don’t want to eat on their own at first, for example, they actually get started very quickly when they see their boyfriends doing it. The same goes for storage… it’s optional, of course, but they take it as a game! “
Long live the nap!
While the last group finishes their meal, time for games and changes or a pee break for those who have already eaten. Madeleine puts on a CD of calm stories, accompanied by soft music. And it’s already time to go upstairs to take a nap. In diapers and bodysuits, the children climb the steps leading to the dormitories. Arrived at the top, each one settles on his bed, slips between the sheets and takes his blanket against him.
Little by little, the eyes close and silence sets in. It’s time for a break – often occupied by a meeting – for the management team. The latter meets once a week with a psychologist, and every month for an operating meeting. Plus, every two months, a meeting in the evening, where we work on the pedagogical and educational project. Parents are also integrated into the educational project. Two themes are worked on each year with the children. “For this semester, these are the five senses,” explains Marie-Pierre Cavodeau. In addition to the cooking workshops, we also offer them “touch” workshops, where they are made, among other things, handle lots of objects in a basket, also “sound” workshops… ”So many activities for which families are encouraged. to contribution. “We welcome a volunteer parent per week to co-host the activity planned by the team, or one of their choice,” says the educator.
Snack break and first departures
15 hours. The babies inaugurate the snack, comfortably wedged in the arms of their nursery nurse. Half an hour later, it’s their older comrades’ turn to gulp down plain yogurt and madeleine. At 16 p.m., the parents’ parade begins slowly. Some children are so busy that sometimes they have to be called several times. While two or three of them, snouts glued to the glass, begin to watch their mothers. Each parent receives the “transmission” of the day from his child: if he ate well, slept well, if his mood was good, if he said a new word or had any concern …
At 18 p.m., many children have already left. Those who remain are gathered in a room, while the person in charge of maintenance begins to clean the rooms. An hour later, only four children are still there. Two nursery nurses give them dinner. The atmosphere is calm. “The children know each other well, because it is often always the same ones who stay late,” emphasizes Maryse. After the meal, two of the children are put on their pajamas and put to bed. The others settle into a cushion, comforter in hand, and let Nadia rock to the rhythm of soft music. 21 pm The last child comes through the door, asleep in his stroller. A night’s sleep will not be too much to recover from this long day, so fertile in discoveries and emotions.