by: vanessa frost - 13-06-09 16:31
Hi all,
I'm doing a childcare and education course at college, and I'm trying to answer a question on private nurseries. I was wondering if anyone could help me out, by giving me some ideas of what the pros and cons of working in a private nursery are???
Any help would be a massive help, and I thank you tonnes for your time and help.
Vanessa
by: claire
Hi there,
I have been working in a private nursery for just over tow years now. I enjoy working with children and therefore am in my dream job. Where the problem lies with private nursery is there aim is to do one thing and that is to make money.
the poistives is if you show you are willing and are ambitios theen you may like me move your way up the ladder and have a say over a few small decisions.
the money and holidays are rubbish. but are in this line of work anyway.
My one piece of advice would be to when visting a nursery follow your gut like if your were a parent. that is what i did and am fairly happy. just the usual bitching that goes on.
Hope this is helpfull x
by: Lolly
I have worked in a private nursery for a few years now, I love the children and my colleagues are some of the best people I have worked with in a long time. Everyone gets on well, we all know each others strengths and weakness and only have the odd niggle at each other every now and then. (So all pro's). However, our owner is in this business for one reason and that is to make money, so everything is done on the cheap or to a very restricted budget and harsh decisions regarding equipment and resources have to be made, even more so in the current climate. If our nursery was not privately run then I'm sure that things would be alot different, but for me I always feel that even the most basic request for materials or repairs to be carried out take an age to be sorted, (so their are the con's in the nursery I work for).
by: red sun
I managed a Sure Start Nursery and had to beg and justify the need before I could spend anything. I was once asked why we needed more sand, and when I said because it goes on the floor I was asked why does it go on the floor??!!!!!! So no I doubt very much that things would be different if you didnt work in a private nursery!!!
by: Nicky
I pretty much agree with everyone on the pro's and the con's. I think the only thing that I would add is one of the benefits I find from working in a private day nursery (for me) is that the parents feel they are able to trust me with their child in general. They trust me to make sure they are happy, fed, comfortable and safe. Nothing could be anymore satisfying than that! We even get asked to babysit which says alot too x
I run a private pre-school and I hardly ever say no to requests providing I can afford it (or find a grant to afford it) and also see the need. Luckily my staff don't tend to make outlandish requests and sand, paint, paper etc is usually quite plentiful. I'm not in it to make a profit - there is no such thing in childcare!
by: starfleur
i have just stopped working in nurserys due to the cons, which is a shame because i love the kids i cared for but its not worth the hassle. i know for a fact that i am not the only person who feels this way
pros-
1.you see the childen develop and become very attached to many of them
2.making some new friends with other staff
cons-
1.rubbish pay(i earned only £5.40 ph)
2.being treated like a second class citizen by many parents and management. we are given no or little respect
-when working in a nursery you quickly realise that it is the staff who really run the place, the managment just sit behind the desk looking pretty for visitors and parents and barking demands at staff.
3.TO0 MUCH PAPERWORK!!!
4. TOO MANY KIDS!!!(my former pre school section of a nursery could take 64 3-5year olds at any one time)
5.TOO MUCH STRESS!!!(for the above reasons mostly)
6.lots of bitchiness.
7.too much expectations from staff. they expect you to be cook(making snacks) cleaner and a combined form of mary poppins and mrs doubtfire all at the same time,all the time, whilst smiling politely for parents and carers.
i wish i never got involved with private nurseries(i like council nurseries though,a lot friendlier and pay is better)
i am currently expecting my first child and my partner agrees with me that he/she will never set a foot inside a nursery. when you work in one you just see too much of the bad stuff going on,a bit like how many people who work in a restaurant say they will never eat the food there.
RE: RE: pros and cons of working in a private nursery? - 09-07-09 20:31by: scarlett
when working in a nursery you quickly realise that it is the staff who really run the place, the managment just sit behind the desk looking pretty for visitors and parents and barking demands at staff.
hahaha what planet are you on?
This shows a level of imaturity on your part.
Managers work very hard have a very difficult job with huge responsibility to children staff parents and ofsted.
You have no idea how to run a nursery just because you had a bad experience with 1 rubbish nursery do not tar all nursery managers with the same brush.
RE: RE: pros and cons of working in a private nursery? - 31-08-09 16:42by: Sheila21
As a Manager of a Nursery, on a Bank Holiday Monday I am sitting at my computer doing WORK!!!! Fair enough I own the nursery (as I wouldn't expect a 'paid' Manager to work on a Bank Holiday.... but if you think Managers sit on their butt all day - then you obviously don't understand the nursery business very well.
Personally, and this might sound a bit harsh, I don't think you were suited to working with children. Stress - were you a Room Leader or Deputy? I presume that the 64 place pre-school had the correct number of staff - try working in a school with a lower ratio.
Bad nurseries are created by bad staff...... who moan and don't get on with the job they are supposed to....
RE: RE: pros and cons of working in a private nursery? - 31-08-09 16:42by: Sheila21
As a Manager of a Nursery, on a Bank Holiday Monday I am sitting at my computer doing WORK!!!! Fair enough I own the nursery (as I wouldn't expect a 'paid' Manager to work on a Bank Holiday.... but if you think Managers sit on their butt all day - then you obviously don't understand the nursery business very well.
Personally, and this might sound a bit harsh, I don't think you were suited to working with children. Stress - were you a Room Leader or Deputy? I presume that the 64 place pre-school had the correct number of staff - try working in a school with a lower ratio.
Bad nurseries are created by bad staff...... who moan and don't get on with the job they are supposed to....
by: starfleur
i have just stopped working in nurserys due to the cons, which is a shame because i love the kids i cared for but its not worth the hassle. i know for a fact that i am not the only person who feels this way
pros-
1.you see the childen develop and become very attached to many of them
2.making some new friends with other staff
cons-
1.rubbish pay(i earned only £5.40 ph)
2.being treated like a second class citizen by many parents and management. we are given no or little respect
-when working in a nursery you quickly realise that it is the staff who really run the place, the managment just sit behind the desk looking pretty for visitors and parents and barking demands at staff.
3.TO0 MUCH PAPERWORK!!!
4. TOO MANY KIDS!!!(my former pre school section of a yorkshire nursery could take 64 3-5year olds at any one time)
5.TOO MUCH STRESS!!!(for the above reasons mostly)
6.lots of bitchiness.
7.too much expectations from staff. they expect you to be cook(making snacks) cleaner and a combined form of mary poppins and mrs doubtfire all at the same time,all the time, whilst smiling politely for parents and carers.
i wish i never got involved with private nurseries(i like council nurseries though,a lot friendlier and pay is better)
i am currently expecting my first child and my partner agrees with me that he/she will never set a foot inside a nursery. when you work in one you just see too much of the bad stuff going on,a bit like how many people who work in a restaurant say they will never eat the food there.
by: vanessa frost
Thank you so much for replying, it has been a massive help
Vanessa
by: mickey
A like the above post....
So i'm guessing you don't like Private Nurseries then LOL
by: starfleur
scarlett-
i gave my opinion (as was asked) and i am entitled to my opinion, as is everybody.
i have spoke to other male and female early years workers about this and they agree with me on the bit about the managers, in our experiences that is all they do. i even think a lot of managers know this themselves but will not admit it.
no mickey i really do not like private nurseries. ive seen and experienced too much in them. however i like the surestart centres and public childcare, i have nothing but praise for them. healthy food for the children, very attentive and caring staff, nice management , and decent pay so you CAN actually live a live above the poverty level (which i dont believe you can in the private section) etc
by: scarlett
Of course youare entitled to your opinion. I ask my staff for their opinion, suggestions and input into the nursery.
My staff get £7 an hour.
I love to sit and eat our healthy food with the children.
My baby goes to mine in the small secure well run baby room
You are right in one respect
a bad manager = a bad nursery.
Leadership and Management are key that is why ofsted have such a massive focus on it.
I take pride in my lovely small well run nursery. I have some good staff at the moment, not always the case though as Im sure you will have seen poor standards yourself although I dont believe all nursery nurses are rubbish.
I am sorry you have such a poor view of the nursery you worked in.
I think there is a shortage of proper managers and by that I mean people with experience, brains and qualifications not just nursery nurses who have been promoted to management. Sometimes I dont think owners (Im one) have the understanding of what a Manager should be doing.
Im working on the sef at the moment, did you get involved with yours to improve practice?
by: starfleur
in my area with the older children we were not encoursged to get involved with the planning etc.
just lots of cleaning etc.......
youre right, alot of owners dont have a clue about what being a good manager involves. i have seen a few very unhappy practicioners leave settings to move into primary schools, simply because of the issue with poor pay, treatment of children and being fed up with lots of over time they are just expected to work every week, never being asked beforehand (unpaid of course)
alot of managers and owners take the mick and then wonder why they lose good staff and why there is such a nursery staff shortage at present.
also, after working in private and public settings i can honestly say that i have had the most illness in private settings.ive had conjunctivitis, lots of stomach bugs, coughs and colds etc and in public settings ive just had colds.
thankfully ive had chickenpox as a child and the MMR jab as ive been in contact with children who have had measles and chickenpox at nursery (both private and public)
by: Lolly
Starfleur, I know what you mean by take the mick!! The more we seem to do at our nursery above and beyond the call of duty or contract is not rewarded by thanks and well done. It is just then expected time and time again and gradually becomes part of the job. Our manager is quick to get stuck in to the nitty gritty and will give praise where it's due but not the owners they just want more and more. Really wonder why i am study a childcare qualification because I don't think I need one to clean and do minor diy around the nursery, I thought nursery nurses looked after children or have I misunderstood that concept!!!! LOL
by: Rhiannon
Hey guys
I am currently tearing my hair out working p/t in a pre-school room in a private day nursery.
CONS
1)As I work for a large chain we're made to feel like numbers on a page at times, there's always someome from head office coming round to inspect that all is as it should be (*fume*)
2) Dreadful pay, hours and holidays
3) As someone already said we're expected to be all singing, all dancing 24/7 and kissing the backside of every visitor/parent to boot while really we're cracking under the strain of 34+ pre-schoolers (when we should only have 32 in the room but hey we can use the sensory room, outside area etc. Right, so that's ok then...)
4) Too many managers take on staff who haven't got any idea what it takes to be a nursery nurse, prats who sit back and do nothing, idiots who wouldn't know initative if it bit them on the arse. These people are expected to implement the EYFS HA BLOODY HA! This is the main reason I am dying to leave, I can't stand working with this idiots any longer. The poor pay and conditions make these people worse because they are already unmotivated!
5) The extra stuff we're expected to do summer fairs, parents evenings and meetings until 8pm. It is only the last few months we've actually started getting paid for these things!
6) Because not many people are motivated the nursery gets into a state, the outdoor area only gets swept by the select few, the shed is left in a tip and equipment gets broken, the staff room is like a pit when dirty sods leave their pots festering on the side in the apparant belief the fairies will clean up. No one cares about the state of the nursery.
7) Staff take out their frustration on the children by being moody, snappy and shouting. I'm so sick of this.
PROS
1) Being a large chain we have decent money for equipment and a lovely newly done outdoor area. However money for things can be a bit slow to emerge at times.
2)I can work my 16 hours in two days getting my work out of the way as apposed to mornings/afternoons etc.
3) If I see something I want for the nursery I buy it and I get my money back, this is within reason however no big ticket items as it were.
4) Good scope for training and promotion (though not so much the latter for part-timers like me)
5) I adore being with the children of course, when it's just them and me and we're having a great time it's the best but I know I could find that in other places out of the private sector.
I would never send my child to a day nursery.
Rhi xxx
RE: RE: pros and cons of working in a private nursery? - 24-08-09 22:31by: Annie
Hello !
I am a TV producer interested in finding out more about standards in private nurseries. From reading your posts I can tell that you really care about the situation. If you think you can help me with my research please contact me via my private e mail : anoukcurry@yahoo.com
Many thanks,
Annie
Many thanks
RE: RE: RE: pros and cons of working in a private nursery? - 31-08-09 16:49by: Sheila21
Mr Producer,
How about doing a programme on how GOOD private day nurseries are..... but I suppose that's not what you are looking for. Try contacting Nursery World and go and look at the nurseries that win awards ....
There are plentry of excellent nurseries out there and the ones that are poor are being driven out. Unfortunately, many staff just don't understand what goes into running a nursery and although Management is very important, it is the staff who make all the difference to the children in their care.
by: mickey
Wow how true is that, Your right when i worked for a Big company, managers here, There and everywhere, laying down the law, do this, Do that, if i say jump, You ask how high. Pay Holz are pants..... Your post takes me back oh my life so it still goes on...
by: Rhiannon
Hey Mickey
hell, yes it still goes on and on and on. I am praying that a possible opening at my daughter's independant pre-school will come up in Sept, it's all just a possibility at the moment and then there's supply...
Where do you work now?
Rhi xxx
by: starfleur
rhiannon
i agree 100% with you. in the last nursery i worked in it was only the head of sections and managers who were signed up for EYFS trainng, the others were not informed. in fact i was only told about the white book that comes around every few months with lists of training courses when i was in the job for 8 mths or so!
like you, i will never put my baby in a day nursery(currently 4 mths pregnant ) mostly because i dont want him or her exposed to the EYFS and staff who come into the setting smelling of cigarettes and also the bad quality foods that seem to be in nurseries.
by: Louise
I think we need a few more 'pros' on behalf of the private and voluntary sector. I have been really saddened by the experiences expressed in this post and, as someone who has experience across sectors would like to add some comments.
The private/voluntary sector can move much more quickly than local authority run provision. If you need something it can be ordered, if you need to change something, it can be changed. I have found working with local authority decisions makers frustrating and slow - not because of the people but because of the 'systems' and number of departments decisions have to pass through before anything happens.
I agree that the pay and conditions in the local authority are miles better than in the private sector and never pass up a chance to raise the unfairness of this. However, private settings do not have the benefit of subsidy from the taxpayer and have to meet their costs out of fee income. If the new single funding formula for nursery education funding recognises our need to pay our staff on a par with local authorities then perhaps we can begin to see some change, although I'm not holding my breath!!
Bad managers happen. It doesn't matter which sector you look at and I know of good and bad in private and local authority. If you want good then as a minimum you have to pay, respect and support them properly to be effective leaders who can inspire their team. In my local authority area we have some fantastic managers (and owners/committees) in the private and voluntary sector. People who go the extra mile to raise their qualifications, invest time in the staff and children and campaign constantly for better recognition of the professionalism of themselves and their colleagues. I don't believe we are unique in this area, it must be happening in other parts of the country.
So let's hear from those of you who work in fantastic settings. Tell us why it's fantastic and what's good about your leaders and colleagues. There will always be bits which could be better, but I believe that applies whatever the sector.
And yes, my children have all been in daycare settings and my grandchildren still are - and thriving on it.
by: mickey
My 1st Job....In A BIG Private Chain . the Managers at the time were to say the very least, Were very Hard to work for, to the point, i did'nt want to get up in the Morning, once there, they made our working day Hell.... i was doing 8am till 6 PM for six months and when i told them i wanted part time hours, They said No , So i left, The Best thing i ever did.
one issue i have with private nursery Setting, In house conflicts, working with people, You clearly can't stand, Bitchy Staff / managers / Some stuck up Parents, thinking you owe them something. Same toys year in / Out Static routines / Planning timetables, for the children to do play Arts n crafts etc. long Hours. Great Pay (Whatever) Some Nurseries , Working Bank Holz.. The list just goes on and on.
What i did like about working with Babies, Is the cuddles and contact, What a great job . Smelling of baby Sick (Joke) The Toddlers are so funny at times, And the Pre Schoolers the conversations and the words they come out with , makes the job worth while, it really does. i just miss not having a job. Oh well...
by: Mia
I am a deputy manager of a private nursery, my little boy has been their since he was 7 months old and is a confident, lovely little because of this. We have had many children in the past come to us from sure start nurseries where parents have been un happy about the care they have received, One single father being told he couldnt take his child there because he was a single dad! We have healthy meals and dedicated staff - they work for minimum wage as we are a small nursery thats not in a chain so income is small. The staff that we employ are obviously not loving the wage but because we respect and value there input we have very low staff turnover. Our nursery has a lovely atmosphere, Managers that do a hell of a lot more than just sit on there arses I should know as I can work 50 hours a week! so not all are bad!
by: whmon
I agree with you Mia, we are also a small private nursery who have had many children change over from Surestart. The reasons have ranged from not liking to see parents sleeping on the sofas in the foyer to not liking the impersonal nature of the place, so that parents are not treated as individuals leading them to suspect that their children are also not treated as individuals.
More worryingly, many parents have come to us because our local Surestart will not give out negative comments. When asked, 'has my child eaten/slept/been happy/ etc' The answer has always been yes, then the parent has discovered otherwise.
One thing I feel strongly about, is that private day nurseries being run by individual owners, are being run by a combination of being hands on and a genuine care about the children in their care - how else can they survive? Yet popular belief is that private day nurseries are run by money-hungry aliens. Believe me, if this were true I would have some other businessn rather than a nursery.
by: Zoe Carpenter
Hi.
I've only just joined this nursery forum thing. I thought it would be a good idea, seeing as I am going back to college to do a childcare course, and I think while I am doing the course, I expect I will get a lot of help and advise from this.
I have done part of the course that I am going back to, and I have had experience with private nruserys.
I found that when i was on placement, in two of the nurserys I was at, I was taken advantedge of quite alot. With things like cleaning, and not given that much respect. I felt like I was treated that way because I was a student, and not yet qualified, so that staff would think that they could treat me however they wanted.
As someone else said, there is alot of bitchiness and unfairness between the staff that work in the nurseries, and in my opinion is very wrong. With who you work with, you should learn to get on with for the sake of the children in the nursery, and so that you are not unhappy with your job.
I think thats it.
Zoe.
by: mo
I work in a childcare centre, well i am the manager, i do my 'hands on hours' paperwork hours and as all staff do my fair share of cleaning, tidying up etc. i have never worked in a private nursery but have staff who have they do say that some of them can be cleeky and poor payed and are run or a very tight budget, but affordable childcare does not bring in a large annual turnover! i feel we are lucky as we are a reg charity this means the wages are slightly better, maybe jobs are more secure and we can apply for funding for new equipment, trips etc and keep our fees at an affordable rate. i wouldn't have it any other way.
by: Margos
Hi Vanessa,
I've just handed on my PhD thesis: Recruitment and Retention of Early Years Practitioners in Day Nurseries: What induces early years practitioners to remain in day nurseries. It looks as though you are on your way to PhD too!
One way of collecting information to help answer your question is to read through recent posts on this and other forums where nursery nurses have their say. This will give you a very good idea of the pros and cons of working in private nurseries. You must remember though that experiences differ. So when you answer the question you cannot really say that these are FACTS that relate to everyone who works in a private day nursery.
Have fun with your assignment :-)
Margaret Simms ProCEEd - the Early Years Consultancy
www.proceedc.com
by: mickey
i Have one, Private Day Nurseries are 100% boring to work for.
Managers love them selves way to much And teach staff like dog c-ap
working via parents evenings without pay, need i go on