My working life... School-based nursery manager

Samantha Attwater is director of nurseries, managing four school-based nurseries run by the Aurora Academies Trust in East Sussex.

'My week is split between the four nurseries, although I spend most time at Oakwood Nursery in Eastbourne', she says. 'It's the biggest in the group, and I have been nursery manager there since 2006. The nursery was managed by what was Oakwood School before Aurora became its sponsor in 2012. Then it was seen as quite separate, but now it operates as a foundation "village" bringing together a nursery, a pre-school and two Reception classes in a former children's centre building. It caters for up to 122 children, from six months to the end of Reception.

'As a result of the takeover, and stepping up to look after the group, my role has changed considerably. I now attend all heads of schools and senior leadership team meetings and am fully involved with the schools. In particular, I'm in regular contact with the Reception class teachers who lead on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

'Fundamentally, working in a standalone early years setting is the same as being part of a school, except we work in partnership. The managers at Aurora let me get on with running the nurseries - they respect we're early years professionals who know what we are doing. But we work closely with the teachers and integrate our approaches. Some teachers come and work in the nursery and the nursery staff go over to the school.

'For example, our Heron Park site keeps animals such as pygmy goats. When the Reception class is doing an activity with the animals, one of our nursery workers might take a group from the setting so they work together. Similarly, staff with Qualified Teacher Status can do activities in the nursery, like phonics.

'Although I'm no longer coun- ted in ratio, I try to spend some of each day with children. Between 8am and 9am, whichever nursery I'm in, I have breakfast with them and chat or read. The rest of the time I'm in the office, answering calls and emails, or travelling between the schools. Oakwood runs an Early Years Hub for about 14 nursery settings in Eastbourne so I also provide training and support to other nursery managers and EYFS leads as part of this. I also spend a lot of time meeting parents, key workers or social workers.

'There are advantages to linking schools and nurseries. Children can attend from age six months to year six, which helps with transitions. Our two-year-olds visit Reception class, so it's not scary for them when it's time to join school. If a child has additional needs, we can prepare sooner. Key workers also see children grow through the years and are available if and when needed. However, our children don't get preferential school places - they still have to apply. The nurseries are registered separately with Ofsted.

'I didn't have to do any new training when the nursery became part of the school. As well as my early years experience, my skills lie in leadership and management. I'm not a teacher, so I look to the teaching staff for support with any teaching issues, as they look to me for early years and training and management advice.

'When the nursery first became attached to the school, I had to explain about the EYFS. I also noticed a difference in the way schools plan ahead quite formally, whereas in the nursery we don't. But the school leaders listened to me and can see our approach works because the children's standards are high when they reach Reception.

'I usually finish at 4pm or 5pm. Because I'm in school settings, meetings are in the afternoon after the pupils have gone home. Nursery staff also work different hours to the teachers, as we're open throughout the school holidays. The pay in a school-based nursery can also be higher.

'I really enjoy working with the schools. I've been here a while and see children I had as babies leaving and starting senior school. Most practitioners don't get to watch how the work they put in at the beginning helps children grow.'

CV

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

1995-2001 Healthcare assistant, special care baby unit, Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust

2001-2006 Nursery assistant rising to deputy manager, Rainbow Nursery, Eastbourne

2006-2014 Nursery manager, Oakwood Nursery, Eastbourne

2014-present Director of nurseries, Aurora Academies Trust

QUALIFICATIONS

1989 Diploma in Massage and Physiology

1996 NVQ 2 Postnatal Care

2003 NVQ 3 Early Years Care and Education, City & Guilds

Plus, wide range of training courses including first aid, child protection, and leadership and management.

TRAINING

There is no specific training route for school-based nursery managers. All nursery managers are usually required to have a Level 3 qualification in childcare and about two years' post-qualifying experience of working with children.

Useful websites

Aurora Academies Trust, www.auroraacademies.org

National Careers Service, nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/nurserymanager.aspx

Nursery World management, www.nurseryworld.co.uk/management.