Nursery World - Trouble at the top (1)

Problems can arise when a member of staff is promoted to a management role. Mary Evans suggests ways to achieve a smooth transition. 'Six months ago I was promoted to deputy manager. It was my first managerial role and I was very happy. However, some staff are making my life hell through things such as not telling me information, not talking to me, or not finishing work I ask them to do. My manager thinks I am imagining it and says my colleagues have only good things to say about me. One person on the team wanted this job and she is being particularly difficult. How should I handle the situation?'

'Six months ago I was promoted to deputy manager. It was my first managerial role and I was very happy. However, some staff are making my life hell through things such as not telling me information, not talking to me, or not finishing work I ask them to do. My manager thinks I am imagining it and says my colleagues have only good things to say about me. One person on the team wanted this job and she is being particularly difficult. How should I handle the situation?'

In the face of the recruitment crisis, nurseries, particularly the chains, are trying to 'grow' staff teams by providing career ladders and making internal promotions in an effort to attract and retain staff.

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