Finding this really hard-work related

[lemons76]

I have worked in a nursery for 4 months. For the most part, I enjoy it but I find it can be quite hostile environment at times, I feel like staff bitch and gossip about others, give funny looks and sometimes can be stand offish. I feel like they can be the type to bitch about someone when they leave the room. Another member of staff has noticed the same who started around the same time. One colleague keeps making little comments telling me what to do but not in a helpful way, like a know it all kind and it’s effecting my confidence. I have made an effort to get to know my colleagues but they have all seemed to work there quite a while and are close and I still feel a bit like a spare part at times. I am enjoying interacting with the children and that’s why I am doing the job but is this normal in a nursery environment? I’m not sure what to do as I’m quite a sensitive person and this is the first job I’ve had since having my daughter and her starting school

Also another thing, I’ve noticed some not so nice interactions between staff and the children, like one little girl wanted her coat and was crying so the staff member just threw it on the floor at her instead of just giving it to her. Some staff can be quite snappy with some of the children, not firm, more than that and it comes across cruel

In terms of the bitchiness, I'm afraid that was my experience of the few nurseries I worked at. That's why I moved into nannying.

Now I'm sure that they are not all like that, but it was my experience.

I’ve experienced bitchy nurseries too. Try not to get involved or entertain it. When you feel lost, ask questions, no one will: can expect you to be an expert in four months.

Also, anything you find worrying I would inform your line manager about, in writing.

Are you working with a lot of young people? They sound very immature but culture in the workplace is driven by management.

I've heard a lot of negative stories about nurseries. It's dominated by young people with no idea of how hard the job is and they're badly paid. I wouldn't want to be around crying babies all day.

That staff member who threw the coat on the floor is treating children with contempt. I'd start a diary of behaviour. I'd also join a union.

Not nursery but learning disabilies secondary school,female TA's /support staff were the absolute worst for bitchiness.

That’s interesting as I actually did a level 2 support staff course and I have started in the nursery to gain experience working with children and was hoping to go into a TA role in the future

They sound quite rude and immature. They might not want to be your best friend but they should treat you equally and with respect and friendly collaboration. As for the interaction with the kids, that doesn't sound great. Maybe you should start looking for a new job? Not all early years work environments will be this hostile.

I’m definitely not one for bitchiness and I’m just there to do my job and make sure I do my best for the children, but it seems a lot of the staff are not

I'd have a word with management about everything you have said here.

Agree with PP that the management set the tone in the workplace. The coat incident is completely unacceptable and shows that there is an attitude problem/lack of training and supervision. I'd keep yourself to yourself while looking for another job OP.

To be fair I do think it's where you go,other schools I've worked at staff were lovely.

Yes the staff should direct your in work. No they shouldn't bitch /gossip.
try to speak to other ta about the role. It's unbelievable hard stressful and rubbish pay. Ours were verbally /physically attacked on a regular basis.
good luck where ever you end up.

Oh dear sad to say this happens anywhere. Keep your own counsel, be polite, do your job, enjoy your job and trust no one. Any concerns you can't deal with take them straight to the top. Try not to over think the whole situation too.

Where there are girls/women, there'll always be bitchiness, in my opinion.
Throwing a coat is not acceptable, report this behaviour, keep a record of similar.

Report the coat throwing. Sounds like this nursery is badly managed if stuff like that goes on.

Unfortunately, bitchiness can happen anywhere but perhaps more so when the staff are female dominated. I worked (for a short while!) in an office where there was a bitchy culture. Someone else mentioned teacher assistants and I imagine that can be true as well as it's a female dominated role, low pay and sometimes people end up doing it because it's convenient hours but don't find the job stimulating enough.

Not that these things are any excuse at all and it does come down to management. I would ignore, don't get drawn into it, focus on progressing your own career through qualifications and aim for a job in a better run provision