Age: 31
Current role: Manager of a 98-place day nursery
Qualifications: NNEB, Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education, assessors award, currently studying for a foundation degree
Experience Emma says, 'I've worked with children since I left school at 16 and went to study for my NNEB. My first job was as a nursery practitioner, where I worked a lot with babies. I was subsequently promoted to become head of room, and worked my way up to deputy manager and then manager.'
What I do
'We have 23 staff working here and I am responsible for co-ordinating their training at ground level, which involves helping them with their professional development and providing supervisory sessions.
'Dealing with parents is a very important part of my job. I set aside an hour at the beginning and end of each day to have contact with them and give them a real idea of what has happened during their child's day in the nursery. I am also always at the other end of the phone.
'I recently set up a network of other managers, to promote the exchange of ideas and good practice.
'I am also involved in financial management and I restructured our budgets when the nursery expanded from 58 places to the current 98.
'Recently I introduced a health programme, and we now have a nurse on site.
'I am also involved in our ongoing quality assurance programme.'
Ambition
'My overall ambition is to continue to build on my qualifications and progress to a role where I am able to make a real difference to the profession.'
Options
Tina Jeffries
Director of the Red Space Company
Tina believes that Emma has built up a portfolio of specific skills that will help her to develop her career.
'For example, while nursery settings often take it for granted that their managers and practitioners gain a great deal of experience in working with parents, this skill can be critical in moving into a new area of work,' she says.
Children's centre manager
'Emma's experience of networking with other agencies, such as health, experience of managing budgets and projects, contact with parents and families, providing care and learning for early years children and studying for higher level qualifications, could enable her to manage an integrated children's centre. This role will involve Emma in delivering integrated facilities for young children and families and establishing strong community partnerships.' Salary range: 34,200 - 36,700
Regional nursery manager
'Experience of running a large nursery and setting up a manager network, combined with advanced qualifications, could provide Emma with opportunities to work for a multi-site daycare company.
'The position usually involves visiting nurseries within an area, supporting managers and staff teams with training, quality assurance, advice and guidance. Emma would need to be prepared to travel and liaise between directors and nursery managers.'
Salary range: 26,000 - 35,000
(plus a company car or allowance)
Daycare development officer
'Experience of managing a setting, networking with other managers, implementing a quality assurance programme, managing a budget, liaising with other professionals and advanced qualifications could enable Emma to work in council early years and childcare support services.
'This position will involve providing support, advice and guidance to daycare providers. Knowledge of Ofsted requirements, National Standards, Birth to Three Matters framework and the Foundation Stage and Childcare Act 2006 would be essential for this type of post.' Salary range: 24,500 - 27,000
The Red Space Company provides coaching, training and development programmes and resources to motivate and develop the workforce. With a specialism in strategic planning in the children's workforce, we can provide coaching workshops in:
* Leadership development
* Recruitment and retention
* Workforce healthchecks
* Motivation and innovation
* Career guidance and continuing development www.redspacecompany, tel: 0845 226 5528, e-mail info@redspacecompany.com
