Best thing ever leaving nursery work!!!!!!!!

[Suna31]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience with you all working in a nursery. I have worked within the Early years industry for solid 12 years. This summer in August 2021 I applied for this role and was offered a interview few days later, I had my interview which I thought went well, 3 days later I was offered the job. I was literally in disbelief. I had graduated 2 years ago in Early Years (Arts). I landed a job that I always wanted to do when I graduated. For those that are interested to know what my new job is, it's Quality assurance lead manager in a primary school in London. I'm working from home in the mornings and onsite for few hours in the afternoon. I get 7 weeks annual leave a year including 2 full weeks off for Xmas. Salary is handsomely amazing and I'm only doing 35 hours a week (10.30-5.30) .

Moving on from that I would never recommend anyone to go and work in a nursery, I've held numerous positions within nursery's and worked for several nurseries. All the nursery and management are the same, don't actually care about the staff, staff poorly paid and over worked, staff not appreciated and nurseries understaffed, extremely long hours with no home life balance.

To look back I would say I will NOT miss working at any nursery at all, doing those ridiculous long hours. And it's the best thing this new job could have happened to me. Going back into education after 10 years and undertaking my degree was the best ever thing I did, it gave me a chance leaving daycare for good and embark on a journey with my new job.

Feel free to approach me for advice or any tips.

Well done.

Nice thread for the many early years workers on Mumsnet 🤔

I left my nursery to go into agency work.

Still doing nursery work but no key children, profiles of care duties and I pick the hours I am available.

I agree with all that you have said, under paid and undervalued and in my last job treated like a child and harassed with paperwork during my annual leave and days off.

At the moment a lot of childcare workers are leaving so every placement I get sent to I'm asked if I want to stay permanently but at the moment I am enjoying the freedom of not bringing paperwork home and having to deal with parents.

How did you study whilst working and how did you land the job?

Don't be silly. Of course not all nursery staff employers are the same.

What is a “quality assurance lead manager” in a primary school? Never heard of it. Please enlighten me!

I was attending one day a week at uni and worked 40 hours over 4 days…was extremely hard but glad i got over the line. Best thing ever !

Working 40 hours over 4 days and attending uni one day a week

It’s someone who works alongside other professionals within the school to implement termly curriculum, risk assessments, policy and procedures etc

I really do feel bad for nursery workers and childminders. Awful pay and so much responsibility.

The government view Early Years as unimportant to say the least.

@Crimsonripple

What has irked you about a woman who has progressed and serves as motivation to others?

Just counting down...

I hate to break it to you OP but many employers are like this, not just nursery's

Unfortunately he/she is miserable enough or in denial not to accept a valid point !

I agree. Awful job role. Underpaid, overworked, understaffed, catty cliquey staff, bad management in every nursery I've worked in.

@Mangofandangoo

What other careers have the responsibility of many young children under their care, for so little?

I have worked in several nurseries and agree with OP.
It is thankless job unless you arre management and getting the funds. Otherwise you are working non stop all of the time you are in the building and have to account for the safety and development of several children. And all for what amounts to less than NMW when you take into account the 'extras' - time before and after your offical work hours when you are in the building and there are children present.
Can you tell I hated it. Went off to work in a nice quiet office with no responsibility for another human.
And no -the satisfaction of seeing littlies develop does not give me the warm and fuzzies. I was never in the same place long enough to see much of that. Plus I like being able to afford things more than I like watching someone elses baby hold its own spoon.

Is this a sales pitch? It's feels like a sales pitch 🧐

I’ve been a teacher a long time and have literally never heard of that job role. It can’t be very common? Every school I’ve ever known have wanted experienced teachers planning and implementing their curriculums.

RAs and policies done by the head and subject leaders. I don’t really get how an external person can be an expert in all of these areas without being an actual teacher.

I’m glad you’re happy and have found a job that works for you though

OP people are questioning your role, albeit politely of course.

All I have to say is, congratulations.

Feel free to approach me for advice or any tips.

I don’t need any advice but, if I may, I will give you some. Don’t be a knob.

I’m genuinely curious to know why people are offended at the OP progressing to a better paid role.

@Suna31

It’s someone who works alongside other professionals within the school to implement termly curriculum, risk assessments, policy and procedures etc

I’m a teacher and I don’t understand the role! If you’re qualified in early years are you based in the EYFS unit? How are you able to do this instead of the teachers? Sorry, not being rude I just have never heard of this role.