I'm being moved without a say

[DM2H]

I work in a nursery- under 2s, have done for nearly a year. I'm lucky to have part time term time only hours which work really well around my son with additional needs.
My boss has just informed me I will be moved in a weeks time to their preschool setting. I was not asked how I would feel about this. They are saying it is because I have a great practice, work ethic etc but it is actually because they have hired someone to work full time hours.

I have anxiety and I have worked really hard on settling in, pushing myself out of my comfort zone and bending over backwards for the company. I do not enjoy working with preschool age children (I know that sounds awful!), I prefer being hands on constantsly having something to do.

I'm a bit annoyed I don't have a say in the matter and I'm not sure what to do. Do I stick it out and hope for the best or do I leave and look for work elsewhere.

Money would be tight but not impossible and I have experience in more than just childcare.

Sorry for the long post, just feel a bit deflated after all the hard work I have put in.

it happens all the time in nursery settings, and is usually based on what is best for the setting.

I would stick it out for a bit. Pre-school is diffrent to babies, but it's still hands on and busy. If you really don't like it you can look for something else, but this can and will happen anywhere.

Sorry you have anxiety, I struggle with this too, but IMO it’s not reasonable to be annoyed, your employer has sound business reasons for moving people around. It is usually much better to look for a job while you have a job.

So they havent changed your hours or anything just the room you work in and therefore the age of the kids you work with?
I thnk it would be a rash decision to leave just based on that, at least give it a go.

Other employers will very likely make similar changes affecting your role.

In my DDs nursery the keyworkers moved with their group of kids so my DD had the same key worker from baby room to end of preschool with just a few weeks gap s.

While i can empathise with you feeling anxiety about it, moving the carers worked really well for the kids and meant that they had the evidence for their qualfication portfolios.of different EYF S criteria.

Can you be proactive, ask about handover arrangements and if you can spend time there in preparation.

Other employers will very likely make similar changes affecting your role.

^This

You seem to have very flexible working conditions that I think you might struggle to find easily elsewhere. With that in mind, I’d be most tempted to show flexibility in the other direction and not risk my employer’s goodwill.

You can of course look around for a new job any time you like but whatever you do, don’t leave the old one without a firm contract signed with the new place.

Your reaction seems very extreme. I can’t imagine it being easier to cope with unemployment, job hunt and then settling into a new place, than it is to cope with simply changing a role in a company you are happy with.

This could happen anywhere so I world stick it out.

I remember in one of our schools a teacher wasn't happy being moved to teach year 6 so she applied for and got another job. Her head told her she might still get out in year 6 in her new school (her students received amazing SATS results) and low and behold she was put in year 6 in the new school too.

You have great hours and term time too which are hard jobs to find so don't give it up without at least giving it ago. If you don't like it try somewhere else but don't be surprised if you move jobs to find you are moved in the future.

This happened to me all the time back in my nursery days. I was best with the babies but that's the easiest room to hire for and they like to move competent people up to the older kids where they make more of an impact.

I left after a few times but I had no requirements for flexible working and I left the nursery industry completely. It sounds like you have it pretty good so you'd need to weigh up whether it's worth losing that...

Definitely give it a few weeks before you make any rash decisions. I was always more anxious about it than I needed to be.

Thanks for all the replies.
It's the same company but different setting so all different children, staff and practice. I have had a cover shifts there before and not had great experiences.
Think I'm just spiralling because I have change!