Management queries: You’re not alone

Q. As the manager of a standalone nursery, I sometimes feel quite isolated. I feel that I’m there to support my staff, but where should I go when I need a sounding board or simply to vent?!

Nadia Seecharan, manager of Fledglings Day Nursery

‘I really advise to try and find yourself a strong deputy. Find one who is really on the same wavelength as you – that’s what I have. We have been together for about seven years and we’ve formed a strong partnership. When I have issues in my head, I can go to her and share them. She sometimes puts me in my place and says: ‘No, think about it like this.’ I appreciate and respect her views and she gives me perspective. I know her response will always have our settings’ best interests, and my own needs, at heart.

‘Another way I find support is through online forums, particularly Facebook groups. Some of these will allow you to post anonymous questions and this can be really helpful as you can be completely honest, and many different people in the group will give you feedback. For example, I once needed advice on how to motivate my staff. I felt like I’d exhausted every option. But by asking this question I received many helpful suggestions. I’ve also received good advice on how to recruit new staff through forums.

‘You can find groups on Facebook by using the search function. Once you have joined one, Facebook will suggest others.

‘The online groups are also useful as you can just read through questions that other practitioners have posted. Sometimes this puts my concerns into perspective. For example, during Covid-19, it has really helped to hear how other settings are coping and how they have dealt with challenges caused by the pandemic. I really felt less alone having this resource to hand.’

Carla Deluca, manager of Springfield Bees Pre-school

‘It is important to have a go-to person within your setting. Mine is my business manager. She is not qualified to work in early years, but she had done a mental health first-aid qualification at Level 3. Because she does not work in the room with the children, she can be more objective. But she works full time in her own office, so if it’s really noisy, and you need a break and some time out, I can go to her. She will listen to me, provide advice, let me vent, be really objective about solutions and help me to come up with my own solutions too.

‘I also find it helpful to network with other settings and managers about challenges and to share good practice. I have a good relationship with the early years development officer at Essex County Council, and she directs me to other managers for help if I have a challenging situation – and also sometimes sends them to me if she thinks I can help. It is helpful to see how other people manage certain issues.

‘I also take part in virtual, termly meetings hosted by the local authority. I used to represent early years on the schools’ forum, but I was the only rep there speaking for about 1,800 early years settings in the county. Most other reps were school teachers and head teachers, so our issues were not getting as much attention. As a result, I decided to set up a subgroup for early years, which the council now hosts. It is not just made up of standalone settings – we have a good cross-section of members, including practitioners from chains, and childminders. It is a great way to get different perspectives, and helps you to feel like you’re not facing things alone.’

Glen Russell, manager of Ore Church Mice Preschool CIC

‘I can sympathise with this manager as I have also experienced feelings of isolation. But I find I really thrive when I can spend time with practitioners outside of my setting and grapple with new ideas together or share best practice.

‘Our local authority runs area hub meetings for education settings, which has really helped. I find, though, that these events can be less helpful if it’s mainly school staff who are attending, rather than other practitioners from independent settings.

‘This manager might want to see if their local authority early years improvement team offers a manager networking event. Ours have started up again, since the pandemic began, and they are a great place to find more focused support on specific issues in early years. I also find it helpful to speak to early years professionals from a completely different background. For example, I have recently begun attending online training with musical professionals and early years researchers offered by a charity called Meryc – Music Educators and Researchers of Young Children. This has given me a different perspective on some challenges I was having, as well as affirming some of our practice.’