Change in all its many forms is something we try hard to grasp and keep pace with. It is essential if we are to provide the highest quality practice and as part of any nursery manager's job description.
As someone who embraces the possibilities and adventures in moving forwards, the prospect of change has never worried me, be it a new policy, something fundamental to the organisation of the nursery or as everyday as a new room layout.
However, we must remember that not all our staff will feel this way. Change can often seem a daunting prospect, creating unease as it takes staff out of their comfort zone, even if we have a vision of the benefits it will bring.
The need for change sometimes will require careful observation. I have found discreetly observing one child in 30-second intervals gives a good feel for the level of play achieved. Being counted in numbers during sticky times will give you a good feel for the room, isolating the 'what works' from that which is causing concern.
This analysis is a process that staff can and should be involved in. As resident experts their hands-on experience within the setting will be invaluable. Their involvement often reveals things that will come as a surprise to them too. Encouraging interest in the process of development will promote its significance, helping them to join you on the journey.
But despite what may be our urgent desires for improvement, we must remember that Rome was not built in a day; if you move at too quick a pace, you run the risk of losing your centurions along the way.
I have recently set up a staff focus group involving rotating representatives from each room, where tasks are discussed and set for review the following week. By setting tiny, focused changes, large transformations are managed and directed. By putting the onus back on the staff I have been amazed at how much they have identified and wanted to tackle, achieving bite-sized tasks that they feel a part of and can be rewarded for. And simple appreciative words of effort will go a long way.
