Having a day nursery (5 months -3 years, 50 weeks a year) on your Prep school site is not for everyone.
I sat for 4 years with a day nursery on our site over which I had no control. It ran rather nicely for the first two years under good management and provided a stream of 3 year olds for my Pre-Prep School. Then, the Day Nursery lost its manager (and also its way) and became a bit of a "blot on our landscape". Whilst ISI lauded our progress in the Prep school, Ofsted branded the Day Nursery "inadequate" in every respect, with a report that would rank it alongside the archetypal Romanian orphanage:
"Children try to reach for resources stored on high shelves, such as books, falling over in the process. A very limited range of resources are available in some rooms and children struggle to share the few that are available as a result." Happy Hares Ofsted Report 14/11/2011This was no surprise; I had witnessed the nursery's decline from my office window.
Transition
One year on and the recession reduced the profit margins of our small proprietorially owned school and retirement became an attractive option for for the elderly owners. They took the (sensible) decision to sell both the Day Nursery and the School.
After some negotiation we became part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group (BSG) and my new job description included the overall management of the Day Nursery. This was good news; although my skill set and experience sat squarely within the 3-11 phase, I knew how to run a tight ship. No longer would the Day Nursery be an anchor weighing us down.
The Day Nursery did have some saving graces: some quality staff (although demoralised) and, surprisingly, committed parents who were unperturbed by the inadequate Ofsted report. It was in need of re-branding, re-furbishing and re-structuring; initiatives that any strong school leader should be able to implement with confidence.
Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd
One of the first obstacles that we encountered when BSG purchased the school was that the Day Nursery fell outside its charitable object. Schools who are charities must act in accordance with their charitable object and BSG exists to provide education for boys and girls. Unfortunately for us, it is not possible - in law - to educate a child under the age of three. The solution was for the BSG to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary trading company, Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd, to run the care operation.
Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd
One of the first obstacles that we encountered when BSG purchased the school was that the Day Nursery fell outside its charitable object. Schools who are charities must act in accordance with their charitable object and BSG exists to provide education for boys and girls. Unfortunately for us, it is not possible - in law - to educate a child under the age of three. The solution was for the BSG to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary trading company, Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd, to run the care operation.
Ofsted, known for their bureaucratic approach to childcare, didn't disappoint. The Ofsted registration process for the Day Nursery entailed the following:
- Enhanced CRB clearance for New Registered Person (me!)
- Enhanced CRB clearance for the Directors of Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd
- Initial site visit by an Ofsted Inspector and interviews with key personnel (Day Nursery Manager and Registered Person).
- Inspection of all documentation
- The award of the registration certificate as Berkhamsted Day Nursery Ltd (including new EY number)
- Ofsted Inspection in the first 5-7 months of registration.
The initial registration process took four months, during which time the Day Nursery could only continue to operate under its original branding and with the previous owner named as the registered person. This was frustrating, particularly as we were (understandably) keen to distance our new nursery from its previous incarnation - not least because the inspection report was online and affecting recruitment.
Transferable Skills and Knowledge
Provided the Head or the Early Years coordinator has a sound knowledge of the EY statutory framework, overseeing the provision for a day nursery setting needn't be a steep learning curve. Many of the skills and much of the knowledge about running EY and KS1 in a school transfer easily to running a Day Nursery.
Organisations are only as good as their staff. We created a much stronger senior team by promoting an under-utilized but promising Deputy to be the Day Nursery manager supported by an outstanding and experienced Early Years practitioner from the Prep School. Whilst most staff rose to the challenge, others were unable to meet the new, higher expectations. The (new and much needed) appraisal system identified under-performing staff, who subsequently left the organisation. This was a time-consuming exercise, but it laid important foundations that has allowed the Day Nursery to move forward.
Finding quality staff to fill these vacancies has not been easy. There is a high turn-over in the Day Nursery sector and we have become resigned to the fact that recruitment will be an on-going issue.
A caveat. Berkhamsted Day Nursery, like many others, operates 50 weeks of the year from 0730-1830. Taking on this additional responsiblity was not a significant change for me because wrap-around care has been a feature of our Prep School for a number years. Headteachers considering opening a Day Nursery on their Prep School site would be well advised to research thoroughly the wrap-around aspect of Day Nursery, as there are many additional issues that fall outside normal school hours and terms.
Conclusion
The re-organisation of the Day Nursery was a significant challenge but it has been worth it. The Day Nursery is near to full (from fewer than 20 to over 50) with happy and engaged children and it is beginning to generate a significant feed for the school - we have already reached our target of 50 registrations for Reception this September.
However, there has been little chance to toast our success - five months and four days from our registration, Ofsted arrived for their promised inspection.
Finding quality staff to fill these vacancies has not been easy. There is a high turn-over in the Day Nursery sector and we have become resigned to the fact that recruitment will be an on-going issue.
A caveat. Berkhamsted Day Nursery, like many others, operates 50 weeks of the year from 0730-1830. Taking on this additional responsiblity was not a significant change for me because wrap-around care has been a feature of our Prep School for a number years. Headteachers considering opening a Day Nursery on their Prep School site would be well advised to research thoroughly the wrap-around aspect of Day Nursery, as there are many additional issues that fall outside normal school hours and terms.
Conclusion
The re-organisation of the Day Nursery was a significant challenge but it has been worth it. The Day Nursery is near to full (from fewer than 20 to over 50) with happy and engaged children and it is beginning to generate a significant feed for the school - we have already reached our target of 50 registrations for Reception this September.
However, there has been little chance to toast our success - five months and four days from our registration, Ofsted arrived for their promised inspection.
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