October 11, 2024Realise
As a nursery manager, you play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young children every day. This responsibility comes with its own set of challenges, from managing teams to ensuring high-quality care, all while navigating a rapidly changing sector. With increasing government initiatives aimed at expanding childcare availability, the pressure on settings is growing, making issues like staff recruitment, retention, and overall wellbeing even more difficult. If these challenges aren’t addressed, they can lead to burnout, which affects not only you but also your team and the quality of the care provided to children.
Imagine arriving at work one day to find that two key staff members have called in sick, and just as you’re trying to rearrange schedules, you receive a call from Ofsted saying they’ll be visiting the next morning. The pressure is immense, and it’s these moments that the challenges of the early years sector become all too real.
Government initiatives to increase childcare provision are a positive step towards supporting families, but they have also created significant challenges for nursery settings. Many nurseries are struggling to meet the rising demand for childcare, while also managing tight budgets and keeping up with changing regulations.
One of the biggest challenges is recruitment and retention. Many nurseries are facing a staffing crisis, with roles going unfulfilled. This shortage puts additional strain on existing staff, who often have to work longer hours or take on extra responsibilities, leading to increased stress and, ultimately, burnout.
Additionally, staying up to date with legislation, managing Ofsted inspections, and ensuring high levels of occupancy add to the heavy workload of nursery managers. This can leave you feeling overstretched, undervalued, and at risk of burnout.
Given these challenges, it’s no surprise that mental health and wellbeing have become major concerns in the early years sector. Burnout isn’t just a personal issue; it can impact the entire nursery. A manager who is burnt out may see higher staff turnover, lower morale, and a decline in the quality of care provided to children. That’s why it’s essential to proactively address burnout and support nursery managers in maintaining their mental health and wellbeing.
Kinderly’s partner Realise offers wellbeing programmes that focus on promoting wellbeing not only for nursery managers but also for their teams. This ensures a supportive environment where everyone can thrive, and the quality of care provided to children remains high.
When was the last time you took a close look at how you manage your time? Identifying your biggest time-drainers can be the first step towards a more balanced and less stressful workday.
By staying up to date on the latest legislation through our short course, you can avoid last minute stress before inspections, giving you more time to focus on what really matters – your team and providing excellent childcare.
Consider taking five minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what went well and what could have been done differently. This simple practice can help you stay grounded and focused on continuous improvement.
As we’ve highlighted, continuous professional development is a key strategy in preventing burnout. Realise’s CPD course for nursery managers is designed to address the specific challenges faced in the early years sector. It covers a wide range of topics, including people performance, legislation updates, marketing and occupancy, managing Ofsted, and wellbeing.
It isn’t just about learning new skills; it’s about empowering nursery managers to feel confident and capable in their roles. By investing in CPD, managers can take control of their professional development, improve their performance, and reduce the risk of burnout.
Karen Derbyshire, Operations Director for Early Years at Realise, shares her thoughts:
“The early years sector is one of the most rewarding yet demanding fields to work in. At Realise, we understand the pressures nursery managers face daily, from managing staff to ensuring high-quality care. Our short course is designed to give managers the confidence and expertise they need to thrive in their roles. By investing in their professional development, we not only support their career growth but also contribute to the overall wellbeing of their teams and the children in their care.”
Preventing burnout is essential not only for the wellbeing of nursery managers but also for the overall success of the early years setting. By prioritising self-care, developing strong time management skills, building a support network, and engaging in continuous professional development, nursery manager can navigate the challenges of their role with confidence and resilience.
Don’t wait until burnout takes its toll – take proactive steps today to safeguard your wellbeing and the success of your nursery.
Realise’s short course for nursery managers is designed not just to educate, but to empower you to thrive as a nursery manager. Contact Realise today to learn more and enrol. Let’s work together to build a brighter, more resilient future for you and your team.
For more information about Realise’s early years apprenticeships, visit https://realisetraining.com/sector/early-years-education/
To find out more about Kinderly Learn, the CPD and webinar platform, visit: https://kinderly.co.uk/cpd-training/
