Nursery World - In response

Tricia Pritchard, PANN professional officer * As a trade union, we can back up the findings about bad management. We represent members with appalling terms and conditions of employment. Many work without contracts, so their working hours are constantly being changed to suit the employer. Employers often show them a total lack of respect, making them wait for their salary cheques, bullying them to return to work when they are sick and so on. Some nursery owners have come into the business for purely financial reasons; good quality childcare delivered by well-trained, cared for staff is not a priority. Managers need management training but often are the last to recognise this. However, it is important to say that there are a great many employers whose staff stay in their employment for years.

* As a trade union, we can back up the findings about bad management. We represent members with appalling terms and conditions of employment. Many work without contracts, so their working hours are constantly being changed to suit the employer. Employers often show them a total lack of respect, making them wait for their salary cheques, bullying them to return to work when they are sick and so on. Some nursery owners have come into the business for purely financial reasons; good quality childcare delivered by well-trained, cared for staff is not a priority. Managers need management training but often are the last to recognise this. However, it is important to say that there are a great many employers whose staff stay in their employment for years.

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