Deputy Manager Review

I have worked for Sandhills Day Nursery for 11 years now and progressed into the deputy manager role 6 years ago. My day to day job roles include overseeing staff and their practice, organising rotas and dealing with parents. I am also the nursery SENCO and safeguarding lead so that takes up lots of my time supporting vulnerable children.

I have developed my skills in working closely with other staff and how to deal with different situations, for example conflicts. I also work closely with many other professionals so my professionalism and behaviour at work is paramount to the reputation of the nursery. I have also developed good time management skills and how to prioritise

I did really enjoy my course putting my previous knowledge to good use. It helped me to think about things in a different way and reflect on what we actually do in our practice. I enjoy challenging myself more and the Level 5 was a good way to do that

The structure was very good and extremely easy to follow. The programme leader was always available for any help or support that was needed. She guided us through each step of the course and gave feedback quite quickly so that we could work on anything that was needed to be.

Our nursery manager was always available for guidance and made sure any resources that could support our work was available. We were also given the option to complete some of the assignments during work time if all of our nursery jobs were completed to ensure a good work and home life balance

Our course leader was extremely supportive. During visits she would complete on site work with us and then set us work to be completed for the next visit. She would talk us through that work she that we fully understood what needed to be done to meet the course criteria

The programme allowed to reflect on my current work practice which formed much of the assignment work. It has definitely helped me to look at my strengths and weaknesses during my work and build them up. I found it very useful as it is good to continually develop your practice.

We have staff meetings once a month which is used as inhouse training opportunities for areas of development and team building. We also hold events for both the staff and families which is nice to interact with everyone in a more relaxed manner rather than it always being during working hours.

Yes

I have worked for the company for 11 years and gone through 2 different ownership. The staff team have mainly remained the same and it really has a family feel to it. Sandhills has other nurseries in South Staffordshire but the managers interact with us alot and we often travel down to Wolverhampton for termly management meetings which helps us to feel included.

Childcare is a job that people really have to want to do because it is their passion not just because they need a job. Sandhills is a friendly place to work and there is lots of support and learning opportunities on offer. I have been there for 11 years and couldnt wish for a better place to work