Guest Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 We moved into our new nursery at the newly built family centre on Monday. We were in an old church hall before so the change has been quite dramatic. The new room is much smaller, more classroom size but we have a much larger and better outside area which is constantly accessible to the children. There have been some teething problems, as there always are, but the main thing which has made all of the staff annoyed/upset is the attitude of the chair of our committee. She expected to be consulted about all work as the centre was built and was really cross that she wasn't included. As staff we didn't have any say about layout/size etc. we only got to help with choosing new furniture and resources. The chair is now causing a lot of problems by tittle-tattling and complaining to any parent who will listen about all the things that are wrong with the room and that she would have done differently. My supervisor and the centre manager have had a meeting with her as we are all concerned about the effect her negativity will have. There are things which are not ideal but most of them we can change, apart from the size of the room which she is saying is far too small. We have tried to explain to her that the outside area is a continuation of the room and the children have been provided with waterproofs so they can have all weather play. Most of the other parents are really happy with the new facilities. We worked really hard over the holiday to get the new setting ready and the chair's attitude has taken away some of the enthusiasm for the new facilities. Sorry to moan but we are all a bit deflated by this at the moment. We are having a meeting with all parents today to find out exactly what concerns they have so that we can all work together to get it right. Just seems a shame that 3 days in, the chair is being so negative instead of trying to work with parents and staff to iron out the teething problems. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Sally, Unfortunately some people are just very negative by nature and as you say, there is always a danger that this starts to spread. My advice is that you (and all other staff) should counter this by being overly positive to all and sundry to try to stamp out the negativity before it becomes an issue. Once she realises she is an isolated voice hopefully she will stop! In the meantime enjoy the luxury of having a purpose built room and all that lovely outdoor space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 We had exactly the same problem when we moved into our building! Not from the chair though! We moved from a very spacious, if somewhat manky church hall with high ceilings etc to a much smaller but lovely building and many parents comented on how 'small' it looked! Everyone will get used to it and begin to see its benefits but it just may take a few weeks! We are still moving furniture etc around to try and make the best of the space available and its been 16 months since we moved in!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiny Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 As Carol said some people are negative by nature. The parents will soon appreciate the new building. Try to keep staff moral up, there is nothing like a new building and being able to start afresh, keep their minds on that. Jennie B - We have been in our new building (two classrooms joined by a door) for 4 1/2 years and are still moving furniture!!!!!!!!! We are happy with our 'quiet' room but the messy room is still a work in progress!! Most of it works now, but there are a few things that need to be relocated to take full advantage. And the outside area is coming on but is a long way off perfect. It is surprising how expensive it all is. We aim to purchase a large piece of equipment every year, last year was the fence, this year the canopy. Do have to say, looking back at our old, dirty, cold, damp, smelly, shared church hall, when everything had to be got out daily, I would never go back!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dublinbay Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Congratulations Sally on your move. Grit your teeth, tell anyone who listens how wonderful the room is and just remember being 'chair' of the committee is not forever!!! Horrah! You and your staff are the ones who will be working in it after all. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wolfie Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 How annoying - there's always one, isn't there??! Stay positive and enjoy what must be a very exciting time for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 The parents had a meeting this morning and we met with the committee this afternoon. Seems that there was 95% positive feedback and the parents are backing us all the way (chair was NOT happy). We are all feeling much more positive now and are determined not to let one person spoil it for everyone else. Interestingly, the parents who were most happy were the ones who have been on duty this week and actually seen the room and the children in action. They have been really impressed. When we were in the big old hall, we were constantly having problems with children just running around aimlessly. Now they are already socialising and interacting with each other much more and they have the outside area to let off steam, which is much safer. The most important part of this is the children and they are all really happy with the new preschool. Thanks for the moral support. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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