Thanks - take a deep breath - I go in for long sentences....sorry
? Options are summarized, providing facts and evidence, not just opinion (5)
? At least one simple decision making technique is used to evaluate options and arrive at the best solution (5)
? Chosen solution is clearly and concisely stated (10)
The problem naturally fell into 2 distinct goals; Firstly, the establishment of the new post of Childminding Manager, involving;
? The extent of the responsibility and authority to be delegated (Appendix B).
? The business, personal skills and qualifications required of the post holder for the management role.
? A review of the capacities of my existing staff in relation to the above parameters (Appendices D & E).
? A comparison of these skills to what might be available by external recruitment.
? Can we find other people to cover part of the delegated functions and does this make economic and business sense?
Secondly, to assess the additional staffing required covering the shortfall in my direct work with the children. This required;
? An estimation of the hours/times I have direct contact with the children (Appendix A).
? A breakdown of the total shortfall by task (Appendix B).
? The development of a timetable of requirements (Appendix C).
? The matching of existing staff skills to the tasks (Appendix C & D).
? Investigating the availability, qualification and willingness of existing staff to take on additional tasks and hours (Appendix E, F & G).
o This involved a skills and training audit.
o Arrangements to provide the necessary training.
o The development of additional guidance procedures.
Initially I needed to decide which tasks are most appropriate for me to keep, which are most appropriate for a manager and which could be delegated to other staff. This was decided by ?costing? the amount of damage/business lost if the task fails/is not effective and split the tasks into 3 categories (Appendix B).
From Appendices E, F & G it is clear that LMc, AG and AMc are all qualified for the position of Childminding Manager. As mentioned before as LMc is employed elsewhere and unwilling to resign that job she is not able to take on the new role. Upon discussion with AG and AMc it became clear the AG was ready for the natural promotion from deputy to manager and that AMc still needs some work on confidence, management techniques and assertiveness. This shows clearly that AG is the best person for the Childminding Manager position.
From the above, the decisions have been taken in principle:
? The following roles and responsibilities will be transferred to my lead childminder under the title Childminding Manager.
o Day-to-day management of childcare & opportunities
o Child Protection/Safeguarding Children responsibility
o Responsibility for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)
o Behaviour Management and Equal concern
o Initial point of contact for parents
o Implementation of Health and Safety Guidelines, Food Safety regulations and Risk Assessments
o Marketing, publicity and promotion of nursery
o Staff training and Professional Development
o Efficient Staffing/Timetabling
o Menu planning & catering
o Invoicing and Billing
? I am able to cover the shortfall in my task input mostly using existing staff (with training and development). But I will have to recruit a new member of staff as a childminding assistant due to the time shortfall. These will share between them:
o Accounts
o Production of timetables & associated spreadsheets
o Cooking
? There has been an identified need for part of my roles not be delegated to either the Childminding Manager or any other staff member and being retained by me, owing to either only me having the skills or to their being critical senior tasks:
o Strategy
o Policy
o Procedure
o Financial and Business Planning
o Acceptance and termination of children?s contracts
o Recruitment
o Staff discipline other than day-to-day direction
o Building maintenance
And of course my short term continued presence and support will provide on-going cover and roles in mentoring, developing and managing staff into their new roles. The process of change has also been facilitated by the capacity to introduce some of the changes ahead of the time when my input will reduce.