Nursery manager leaving- no replacement until feb- am I right to be worried?

[Minkus]

My ds's nursery manager is leaving on Friday (we parents were told today). She is great, Ireally trust her. She has been sharing management duties with two other marvellous folk, although both are currently on maternity leave. They are both coming back part time in february! (They must have planned that one well ) So as of February I know that there will be qualified staff on site all the time. However, between Monday and February there won't be a qualified manager- the nursery owner will be stepping into this role. She is nice too, is on site every day helping out wherever needed but has no formal qualifications in early years/birth to five/pre school education/healthcare etc etc.

The remainder of the staff, whilst qualified or part qualified and I don't have any concerns about the care they provide in the main, are relatively young and inexperienced and without management on hand I'm concerned about standards. A few things have worried us of late anyway and whilst these aren't cause for major concern I'm really worried that things will get worse!

Does anyone know what the minimum requirements for leadership are in nurseries? Maybe there isn't one, I just thought that there should be a senior member of staff taking charge.

Now I'm starting to panic- ok so a bit prematurely admittedly- about having to find alternative childcare for my precious first born when he's settled nicely where he is.

[bambino1andbump]

The manager has to have at least three years experience in childcare and have at least an NVQ lvl 3 or equivelent. The manager/owner has the responsibility to appoint a suitable person until feb. I would question this. If really concerned by this then give OFSTED a call and voice your concerns to them.

[Minkus]

Thanks bambino1andbump- the two ladies on maternity leave will be coming in one day per week each from next week until February, do you think this would be enough in ofsted's eyes? I will call them in the morning anyway to find out the situation.

[Mummywannabe]

There has to be a suitably qualified manager on site, as per national standards. The owner could manage the nursery but in this case would have to have an 'officer in charge' with all requirements described by bambino1andbump. I would think the owner would maintain standards as the natioanl day care standards are easy to follow, but some elements of good practice could be lost. In my experience sometimes well meaning owners can encourage inappropriate practice, nothing dangerous but for example making all the children do a worksheet each day because 'parents like them', when this ges against all the curriculum guidance etc.
Think you should have been informed earlier. They should have informed ofsted so should either have their consent or an action plan to meet the required standards.

Sounds like poor practice to me.

[Minkus]

MWB that's what concerns me most, the fact that there isn't anyone currently employed (bar the manager who's leaving, and the two on mat leave) with the qualifications and experience required. Someone qualified might have been employed there for three years but on a one day per week basis and just as a staffer and I am really worried. The owners have been really sensible in the past, not got too involved in the child focused aspects of management and allowed those qualified to do it, so as well as being unqualified neither of the owners (a married couple) have even really got an inkling of what needs to be done I don't think. Oh dear.

[bossybritches]

I am a nursery owner with no childcare qualifications (nursing background) but with an excellent manager. We run things in tandem with me doing the business side & the manager being the "named person" for the childcare side.However we act as a team daily.

If she were to leave the deputy could "act-up" for the interim whilst I appointed a new Manager, as long as there were sufficient qualified staff to maintain ratios whilst the deputy was office based.

Unfortunatley it takes a while with OFSTED checks etc but the out-going manager would have given enough notice I would have thought,to get it sorted.

Could be the new manager isn't free till Feb?

I think you are right to voice your concerns & ask what steps are being taken to maintain standards, especially if you are happy with the overall care.