School Nursery - going private - asked to TUPE over, advice needed.

[Earlyyearsteacher]

Currently a Nursery Teacher UK.
Paid on Unqualified Teacher Pay scale due to having EYTS qualification that qualifies me to teach 0-5 rather than QTS.

School are looking at bringing in a private sector company to deliver the F1 provision and possibly eventually 2 year old provision. Due to falling numbers - the new company will presumably open longer hours and be more attractive to parents who are currently opting to stay in private nursery.

I got wind of this when the Executive Head Teacher of the trust came to look around bringing with him the Director of the Nursery Company.
In an ideal world for the school ... I wouldn't know about this yet.

But because I joined the dots. I was approached and asked to TUPE over to the other company and be the nursery manager.

I have contacted my union who have said because I have not been offered any details yet. I should ask what the alternative is. I have done this ... No response (now two weeks since I sent the email)

I cannot be put in another teaching position due to not being a qualified teacher.

I categorically do not want to work in the private sector.

Do I have to TUPE over or lose my job?

Technically, yes but I’ve negotiated settlement agreements for staff who didn’t want to be tupe transferred in the past. Ask your union rep to be more proactive. How many others are affected?

Thanks, I thought so.

It is just me. The teaching assistant will be absorbed within school.

However we are part of an academy trust so they may be able to offer me something at another school.

They want me to manage the nursery because it will be an easier transition for them, I work well with the Reception teacher, I will continue high quality provision and the school can say it's still Miss X running it.

If the school decide to have the company come in and run the "section of the business" they are reorganising by "closing down and selling" it and can do role redundancy.
All of the roles are being made redundant and new roles are being created by the new company.
They may offer three options
Redeploy elsewhere in the business (can you be?)
Redeploy via TUPE to new buying company which may be an issue as the terms and conditions need to change if they plan to offer a different service (open early/late)
Redundancy where you leave the business if the buyer also has removed roles.

You may not get an answer on the managers job as that is down to the buyer.

Note if the business is sold off you end up doing an interview for your current role too so be mindful that you are in an ongoing "attitude interview" with your management. They are looking to save your job and their jobs too as if this fails the falling numbers will roll up through the years.

If you dont want to work in the private sector you need to think about getting a new job and how to make your CV shine.

There may be no decision by the new company to take over. They are a business and taking on a high cost failing business that needs to be turned around may not be attractive.

Its a failing business what business experience do you have in managing people in a changing work landscape can you motivate others who dont want to be TUPEed to stay or what knowhow of being a manager in general do you bring to the table. Be honest with yourself would you hire you for a promotion? If not you need to work out what skill gaps you have and how to address them.

This may not be what you wanted to hear and hopfull everything works out for you.

AnSolas -

Thank you I am after an honest answer.

I could be redeployed - a Higher Level Teaching Assistant vacancy will be available.

It would just be me who would TUPE into the new business. So I would be leading a new team.

You are correct the new company may not even want me. Whilst I am qualified to manage a nursery at Post Grad level
I have only the experience of leading a nursery class/ unit - currently it's small but in a previous role it was a much bigger setting. And I have always had the additional support of a Senior Leadership team.

With regards to the numbers falling up the years groups this is not happening.
Our reception class is oversubscribed.

The issue is us not providing longer hours/ choice of sessions. Plus poor promotion of the nursery within the local community.

Terms and conditions will be hard to match as I get 13 weeks holiday a year, a teacher pension worth on its own £7k a year. Plus the flexibility to do additional work required at home.

I am already looking for a new job and will do supply in the interim if I need to.

My knowledge might be out of date but I'll throw it in anyway!

Can't academies employ unqualified teachers and therefore offer you a teaching role within the main school?

Alternatively, could they support you getting QTS?

TheSecondMrsTanqueray
Yes some trusts do this, mine doesn't and they have just appointed two teachers for the two vacancies in school at the moment.

They could support me to gain QTS ... I can do the Assessment Only Route as I already hold a PGCE and Early Years Teacher Status ... Which is very similar to Qualified Teacher Status.

Or do the apprenticeship route.
It may need to be at another school which is fine as I don't have much choice currently.

I have all the same responsibilities as QTS teacher including leading two subjects areas.
I actually do the same as a QTS teacher ... I am just paid less for it.
I I got QTS my PPA would double and I would lead any subjects.

I think I need to push for support to gain QTS.

Yes, definitely go for QTS - you deserve the pay and recognition it will bring.

Don't know if you've worked in private nurseries but conditions for staff can be grim.

TheSecondMrsTanqueray

I have briefly done bank work in a private nursery... Which was okay but it was a nice family run nursery with staff who stayed long term.

I know that they can be grim. I have heard many stories from staff who have moved into school settings for better T&Cs

Plus I am 46 and do not want that level of responsibility for what will be a reduction in my terms and conditions, including holidays, sickness benefits and pay.