Childcare and Development

I have also written a new blog on my other website on Wordpress, updating my readers of that blog about what I have learned as a new parent, given an update now my son is  years old. https://cazzachalloner40.wordpress.com/

I wanted to wait to post my blog this week because I had to take Henry to a few appointments, as he had an hearing test on Monday and then we visited a Nursery today, which both my hubby and I both really like. I am not going to give details of which one, because of child protection, but we both believe it will be the one for Henry to go to.

The hearing test went well. The Audiology specialists at the health clinic were really good and not too concerned but they just want to do another check in a few months time just to make sure.

My advise to other mums and dads who are worried about your child's development to speak to your health advisors or GP as they are there to help and will refer your child to be seen, and they have created these tests for your child so they don't feel any discomfort or anything. At the hearing test they got Henry to play with toys and had speakers that made a little noise and if the speaker lights up they will see a cuddly animal. Henry had a cuddly cat and a rabbit.

They then used an ear checker thing to look into his ears to check to make sure there is no infection or inside issue, or if the ear has fluid, this takes a couple of seconds. Your child may fidget but I tried to distract him and the specialists were very quick. I know it isn't nice to have your child crying because they still learning so they are gonna be a little bit like "Why have I got to sit still, and why are they putting that thing in the side of my head" because aren't sure what this is all about, but it is good to have their hearing checked just in case if you have concerns.

We are not overly concerned with Henry but the Health Advisor called to ask us if it was ok for him to be referred to have a hearing test, just to minus this out and so we agreed. We are not concerned in anyway as he can hear well but I think it good to check if the health advisor advises it. I got to say I have had more trust in the health visitor than my own GP, at times. There has always been someone there to call or speak to, not a receptionist telling me I can't have an appointment. He will be having speech therapy at some point, but I know Nursery will really help with this. I am learning as a parent that a lot of the time Henry will do things when we aren't (my husband and I) paying attention to him, and so they will do things when they are ready too and tend to do things when not asked too.

He is picking up a lot of words now, so we will have to really be careful about swearing.

If you are looking for a nursery then the questioned we asked was:

- How many children do they have at the moment?
- About Safety and Security
- What happens in case of an emergency and Henry does get hurt?
- Do they do regular fire checks?
- What happens if the child is not settling in?
- About food and the routine, aswell as costs and guarantee of a place. ​

My husband and I are new this too, and parenting is as new to us as it is for our son learning what things are and what words mean, I have come to realise that it ok to be new at some things, and with life you are always learning.

I never would tell other parents what they should or shouldn't do, because all children and everyone's situation is different. What I want to do is try and give help and advise based on what I have learned so far, as it is comforting to know sometimes that you are not the only one who is new to this. I think about my parents and my grandparents, it was all new to them once, it is all about persistence, trusting your instinct and asking for help, as we aren't made to know everything, but learn and do the best we can.

Many thanks for reading,


Carrie X ​​

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