the manager of our tiny rural pre-school is leaving to set up her own large commercial venture 3 miles away.
she approached all the staff in advance of telling the parent committee (who 'run' the setting but who have no training in early years) and almost all of the remaining staff have indicated that they intend to join her at her new venture.
she is giving different information to different people about when the new setting will open. The staff, who only have to give 4 weeks notice, have been asked to indicate whether they intend to leave to give the committee a chance to ensure the continued viability of the pre-school. they are all refusing.
additionally, the pre-school is due an ofsted report. the manager has been asked to leave copies of the last couple of years lesson plans so that the setting can pass these on if requested. she is refusing (stating that they were done in her own time) although she previously requested, and was granted, extra hours pay to cover this. she has also previously indicated that lesson planning was completed between all staff. since the request, she has removed the plans from the nursery.
the situation is extremely sensitive and very uncomfortable.
i would like advice from a nursery manager about how the well meaning but inexperienced parents (on the committee and in the community in general) should handle this to ensure the long term viability of the setting.
what can we do?
TIA