The manager must create a place where children are happy and thriving and parents are content with the standards of care, learning and development while ensuring the business has sufficient turnover to invest in its maintenance and further development.
Some nursery owners are involved in the day-to-day management of the children's care and learning experiences and staff management, while others employ managers for these tasks.
In both cases, a nursery owner must set the vision, mission and standards throughout the provision, if the nursery is to thrive and be a place of choice for parents, children and staff. Therefore, it is essential to have a high level of understanding of daycare practice standards, the ability to develop effective business management systems, and staff recruitment and management practices.
It is possible to have come from a very different career or discipline to this role, by using complementary and transferable skills and knowledge, such as people management, customer care, accounting and business development. However, there will generally be an area of knowledge where further learning is required, and this may need to be specifically in early years care and learning, depending on how the team is structured.
Some of the skills, qualities and abilities necessary for this role are thinking strategically, understanding the setting as a whole organisation, demonstrating positive leadership qualities, ability to make effective professional relationships, business acumen and exceptional communication skills.
Suggested qualifications would be at least graduate-level study in early years if directly responsible for the day-to-day practice and procedures within the setting, and certainly a qualification in business management. Leadership and management training is a distinct advantage and enables others to learn from a positive role model.
As a qualified EYP, there are further opportunities for the nursery manager to lead and influence good practice within the wider children's workforce.
Name: Steven Chadwick
Age: 42
Role: Part owner of two nurseries
Qualifications: Civil engineering degree, Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), Children's Care, Learning and Development Level 3 I am a chartered civil engineer as well as an EYP and find the two careers complement each other. I still work part time as a civil engineer but became involved in childcare on a professional level when my wife set up our first children's day nursery. My engineering career requires strong practical, numerical, communication and organisational skills and this has helped my role within the nursery - working behind the scenes, organising advertising, accounts and maintaining the property.
- 8am
I like to arrive at this time to greet the children and parents and be available to support the staff should any parent have any concerns or feedback.
- 8.30am
As the nursery staff escort the children on the morning school run, I cover the baby and toddler room.
- 9.15am
Once they are back I check the post and undertake any necessary paperwork. This usually takes an hour.
- 10am
I sit in on various rooms to mentor staff, get involved in activities with the children and to help out with preparation and clearing up.
- 11.30am
Time for lunch and I eat with the children, discussing any topic they choose.
- 12.30pm
Covering the staff's lunch breaks, again this gives me the opportunity to chat with the children.
- 1.30pm
Now for a working lunch, completing paperwork and planning staff development or organising and booking trips for the children. This is either for the 'kidz club' during the holidays or for the nursery children to fit in with the termly topics.
- 2.45pm
During the afternoon school run I either cover a room or help collect children from school; this varies depending on requirements.
- 3.30pm
The children arrive back at the nursery and I settle them in from their busy day at school, ready for their snack. This gives me an opportunity to catch up on their latest adventures.
- 4pm
All the after-school 'kidz club' participants have arrived and are either having a snack or taking part in activities. I usually finish off any paperwork or attend meetings with other childcare professionals, including children's centre leaders and midwives.
If I am still on site I will spend the rest of the day welcoming parents as they collect their child and briefing them if the key person is not available. I check the rooms to ensure they are ready for the next day, and lock up.
