1 A staff member resigns and requests a reference. She isn't happy with it and asks you to make changes. How do you respond?
a Tell her to take a run and jump - she's leaving anyway.
b Agree to make all the changes.
c Explain what you've written.
2 You receive a letter from a child's mother who has separated from the father. It requests you refuse to answer if the father asks who pays the nursery fees and inform her immediately. Do you?
a Politely ignore the letter and observe issues of confidentiality between one parent and the other.
b Reassure the mother that you're on her side. Tell the father exactly the same -you like gossip!
c Immediately phone the father and tell him everything. It's fun to stir trouble.
3 An employee tells you that a nursery nurse uses her mobile phone regularly in the toddler unit during working hours. It is against written policy. Do you?
a Tell the phone user that it contravenes policy. It is a disciplinary offence but you don't take action on this occasion.
b March into the toddler unit and confiscate the mobile phone.
c Call the employee a telltale.
4 Your valued manager informs you that she is leaving to join the competition down the road. How do you react?
a Fake fainting and then burst out crying because the nursery will collapse if she leaves.
b Tell her that you value her work and say there are issues you'd like to discuss which may change her decision. Arrange a meeting.
c Order her to pack her bags and leave immediately. She's a spy in the camp.
5 An inspector arrives for an unannounced inspection. Your staff ask for ID but he has none and is left waiting in the rain. Do you?
a Rush apologetically to the door and tell the inspector what a nincompoop your staff member is, of course he can come and inspect.
b Shout through the window that he could be a child molester and that without ID he can't come into the building.
c Congratulate your staff member for following guidelines on visitors to your nursery and explain to the inspector your policy on visitors, checking with the relevant body exactly who he is.
6 A child at your nursery puts a dried pea up his nose. It requires hospital attention to be removed. Do you?
a Say nothing to the parents and instruct your staff to do likewise. After all, he's only three and you can always pretend you didn't know what he was talking about.
b Check the accident book is completed and advise the parents of what happened, the course of action taken and reassure them as to how their child is.
c Leave your staff to handle it and vow to avoid the child's parents for the rest of the year.
7 A staff member slaps her misbehaving child, who attends the nursery, across the face when other parents are collecting their children. What do you do?
a Ask the member of staff to come into the office and explain that it is against the law to hit any child. Offer advice and support if she is finding it difficult to cope with her child in the workplace and advise the registration officer in case of repercussions.
b Pretend you didn't see it. Tell staff they didn't see it either - it never happened.
c Smile sweetly at the other parents, telling them that it is her child. As a mother she can do what she likes.
8 A father continually uses the children's toilets instead of the staff toilet when he drops off his child before a long journey into work. Do you?
a Go in when the father is using the toilet, call him everything under the sun and tell him to leave immediately.
b Send a member of staff to block the doorway so that no children can enter.
c Politely mention to the father that the staff toilet is also for parental use but that the children's toilets are not.
9 Your Ofsted or Care Commission officer rings to say that there has been a written allegation from an anonymous parent that babies' bottles and food are stored in the nappy changing area. How do you respond?
a Tell the officer that she is stupid and obviously not aware of your reputation. You would never do a thing like that and you're going to sue for libel.
b Accuse your staff of slovenly and disgusting practice.
c Tell her that is not the case, but that you'll do an internal investigation. Say you understand that she needs to conduct her own and is welcome at any time.
10 After the nursery's closing time you discover a member of your staff in a compromising situation with one of your parents. What do you do?
a Request they both leave your premises. Call a meeting with your employee the next day.
b Rush in on them and demand an explanation telling them you're calling his wife immediately.
c Ignore it. You can't afford to lose a member of staff or a full-time baby.
Mairi Maciver Clark is managing director of Mulberry Bush Kindergarten in Killearn, Glasgow
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS.
1c Employers are not obliged to write references or show them to employees but out of courtesy and clarity they can. References should be based on facts that can be supported, such as the most recent staff appraisal.
2a Issues of confidentiality are paramount. There should be no disclosure to anyone of confidential information regarding business between clients.
3a It is good practice that all staff are issued with an employee handbook explaining all the nursery policies and procedures, including telephone use and what is deemed disciplinary action. Explain why you are not taking disciplinary action.
4b None of us likes to lose a crucial player in our business. Take time to speak with your manager to see if you can make the difference it would take for her to stay. Try to stay calm and not panic. Can another member of staff be groomed for her job? Can you realistically match the offer of increased wages and better terms and conditions? Leave on amicable terms where possible.
5c This reaffirms the importance of clear and concise guidelines for staff to ensure the safety of the children in their care at all times.
6b Health and safety guidelines require all nurseries to keep records of any accident or dangerous occurrence. A nursery should also have a written accident procedure. The injured child should receive the necessary first aid treatment and details of the injury must be entered in the accident book for parents to sign. If the injury is serious, the accident should be investigated to decide whether or not the matter is reportable to the appropriate enforcing authority.
7a It is against the law to hit any child. This would be deemed as gross misconduct under a breach of a legal statute or registration which has a direct effect on your staff's ability to undertake her stated duties.
8c This is improper use of a child's facility and must stop. Have a quiet word with the father explaining the hygiene issues and practical problems.
9c Ofsted and the Care Commission have the right to investigate all complaints and you should work with them. Share this with relevant staff who are likely to be able to shed more light on the complaint. Record it in your complaint's book, which is a statutory requirement under the National Care Standards.
10a It is a disciplinary offence to be on the nursery premises without former permission from you. Be honest with the staff member about what you saw and tell her it is unacceptable and jeopardises her position with you.
