What are the essential things you should do during a show round?

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

The journey through the nursery should be both encouraging and impressive for the parent(s), to portray a friendly, lasting environment. In order to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere in your setting, what essential things do you implement to ensure a successful show round?

Perhaps the most essential part of a successful show round is having staff properly trained. Are specific staff responsible for show rounds, having a particular procedure that they must follow?

Do you have an open door policy to allow parents to look around at short notice, or do you book a small group to take around all at once? What’s the strangest or funniest thing you’ve ever been asked by a parent? Share your experiences of what has worked best in your setting below.

Resource: ‘Handling telephone queries from prospective parents’

Have you been fairly marked by Ofsted?

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Ofsted inspections are often the most stressful part of a nursery manager’s job. Your Ofsted rating can influence the reputation and performance of your setting, therefore making it imperative that you receive a rating that best reflects your service.

Although there is a code of conduct that inspectors must follow, the experience from Ofsted inspections can differ due to various factors. All inspections should be equally treated, but have you ever felt that you were unfairly graded for an Ofsted inspection? If so what for? And is there a positive approach you have tried to successfully appeal and get your results changed?

Resource: Recently been mistreated by Ofsted? You can raise a complaint against them here.

Please leave your experiences and suggestions below to join in with the discussion…

Can running a nursery be financially rewarding?

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Last month, Laing and Buisson’s report on the childcare sector suggested that nurseries were simply ‘ticking along’ post-recession, and that cuts to public spending threaten to decrease demand in the coming year.

This news is reflected in the fact that over 500 nurseries were forced to close last year, with many others struggling financially.

As a nursery owner, or manager, do you feel that running a nursery can still be financially rewarding? Is it worth the everyday challenges or are there too many restrictions in place to allow a nursery to be profitable?

Is there any practical advice that has worked well for your business that you could share with others? What would you say to those thinking of starting a nursery business? Does the love of providing quality care outweigh the financial risk involved?

Please leave your experiences and suggestions below to join in with the discussion…