Retiring thoughts

[Cait]

So, I told my staff today that this will be my last year as Manager. My Husband retires in January 2015 and we will be moving back to Yorkshire as soon as the house is sold after that.

 

I've been doing it for so long now (since 1990) that it's second nature and I'm so used to filling every waking hour with it that it's going to be hard to hand over knowledge that I have gained as needed over the years.

 

So my point is, has anyone out there done this, and how did you manage the handover?

 

I'm starting with handing over the register to my Deputy - she now has day-to-day responsibility for it and any changes that come along. What should I give her next? I don't want to overload her, but there's lots to get to grips with!

[eyfs1966]

i guess it depends how you run. Are you owned by a group, charitable etc. From memeory, I think you are a pvi. If she is going to need to manage the business side, then that's where I would start. Otherwise, I would start with policies and procedures, going through the stautory framework etc, as this gives a good overall understanding of how it all fits together and why!

 

Best of luck to you as you take on this year of lasts.....going to be exciting, but tough emotionally I should imagine.

Edited September 25, 2013 by eyfs1966

[Steve]

Don't know whether to say sorry to hear that or not Cait. I'm sure it will be an emotional year for you, but hopefully an exciting one as well, as you start looking ahead to all the possibilities. Can't offer any advice on the practicalities of handing over your setting, but I thought I'd remind you that we give free life membership for FSF retirees, so you can still keep in touch with your friends here! :1b

[Panders]

:wub:

[sunnyday]

:wub:

 

I know ........well I hope she knows that I will continue to email her with all my worries/triumphs and/or anything else I need to share - retired or not!

[Fredbear]

Wow, another exciting journey, moving onto pastures new, I'm sure filled with wonderful stories and memories from your many years there, but quite an emotional decision, it does get in your bones this Early Years mylarky. I was only saying a similar thing to our Administrator today, haven't been at our setting for 22 years, gosh it's gone so quickly, but not yet.

But from a practical side of things.

Policies and all your procedures, including insurance, accident, incident records.

Finance and any accounts.

Whose already responsible for what.

Wages.

DBS checks.

Ofsted issues.

Appraisals, supervisions.

Not sure how you organise intake but this can be quite hefty to sort if you have many places.

Funding forms and completion online.

Rotas if any.

I'm sure there are a million, trillion other things you do but they are the ones that jump out at me.

Life long membership with FSF sounds fab too.

Hugs Fx

[Panders]

 

I know ........well I hope she knows that I will continue to email her with all my worries/triumphs and/or anything else I need to share - retired or not!

 

There's never any escape, just like the Prisoner, we will send out that big ball thingy to bring her back to the ipad

[Guest]

When I was handed over to and when I handed over to someone else we tried to do a handover throughout the year, so as each time something came up we dealt with it in a hands on way. It also meant that little things that only happen once a year, booking photographer, arranging a visit from the man in the red suit, etc didn't get missed. And then my predecessor stayed in touch for a year to be able to answer all those 'what do I do if...?' questions. I did the same on my exit.

[Cait]

Yes, that's the way I'm planning to do it. Just want to make sure I'm not missing something vital!

[HappyMaz]

Wow Cait! That's a huge decision - but it is good to have a plan and Mr Cait's retirement will be a milestone in both your lives.

 

I can't really help with your query though, but I'd say you are very wise to make a plan of what needs to be handed over and when, and to give your deputy the chance to take over responsibilities gradually with you still there to support her.

 

Enjoy planning the next stage of your lives together - make lots of exciting plans of things to do and places to see. You'll have so much time on your hands (but I wonder how long it will be before we hear you telling us that you don't know how you found time to work, what with everything on your daily agenda, post retirement!).

 

Sending lots of hugs! :wub:

[narnia]

Cait.................

[Cait]

I'll still enjoy proof reading all the assignments folk send tho!

[Upsy Daisy]

Wow Cait! What a change.

You are clearly, as usual, putting in a lot of thought and preparation to this move. Spreading the handover process over the year sounds ideal.

I can't imagine you walking away from Early Years altogether. Do you think you'll be able to resist if a nearby pre-school is crying out for your skills and experience?

[Inge]

yes.. I did it.. about 4 years ago now, after 20 years in many different settings.. and missed it initially, but soon found things to fill the space.. moving and hubby retiring will give lots to do and get to grips with.. my hubby dropped to part time.. so we had more time together but he is not due retirement until same year as yours.. (that is if he lasts that long.. having quit his job and sorted out pensions, they have so far managed to reverse his decision twice now... even offering a 3 day a week job next year.. )

Once decision is made it becomes easier and a focus to work on... you will enjoy the changes eventually.

 

I handed over one item at a time.. over about a year.. started with the planning ,

and then it does depend on the set up... as I threw the financial side back to the committee.. so someone there took over.. ended up hiring a book keeper who was an ex-parent.. and worked out a suitable way of doing the financial side there reducing the staff involvement to collecting envelopes and handing out bills...

other admin I did together with the new leader each term.. so after working together for a couple of times.. she did it with me there to help..so it was a gradual process.. each month or so she took on something fully..

I did make a list of all I did that may not be seen.. as I did check things like the accident book weekly or monthly for patterns and other things that I may quickly check that the staff were doing.. Learning journeys etc.. and they were not the obvious things to do, took a few minutes but necessary .

 

hardest was getting parents to go to her with questions.. I used to ask her be there whenever possible so she could be seen as the one to go to .. I told them about 6 months before I left.. and any new paretns that came after that we would direct to the new leader to deal with fully rather than me... that way she could become seen as the boss to them and I was there to help with any issues she found .

I was also available by phone for 6 months after leaving.. lots of calls to start with but once she got to grips with it, made changes that worked for her it was not needed.

Take time.. and start to look forward to the next stage .. lots of new things to come will keep you busy...

(And it is thanks to Steve and his retirees scheme I am still around.. )

[Beau]

Wow Cait, what a busy year you are going to have! Good luck with the handover.

[Guest]

What an exciting time Cait, if you do yourself a planner with everything on it and a time scale, that will all be straight forwArd.

 

If it was me the hardest thing will be letting the new leader do it their way and taking that step back

 

But you are a bright and clever women I am sure if anyone can do it you will

 

Are you a pack away Cait?

[Cait]

Wow Cait! What a change.

You are clearly, as usual, putting in a lot of thought and preparation to this move. Spreading the handover process over the year sounds ideal.

I can't imagine you walking away from Early Years altogether. Do you think you'll be able to resist if a nearby pre-school is crying out for your skills and experience?

 

No, I'll walk right back in if the opportunity presents itself!

[Cait]

Are you a pack away Cait?

No, we are a permanent set up in a chilly old chapel

 

 

I realised today that much of the handover is going to be teaching computer skills too! So I'm generating 'how to' sheets as well now! Did 'adding someone to register' today.

[louby loo]

Wow, big changes

 

If it were me and I so wish it was!! I think I would also keep a to-do diary/journal for the year- just to note the kind of things you're thinking about daily - the 'I must think about arranging Christmas party soon' etc.

 

xx

[SueJ]

As lots have said - big changes ahead for you and yours - sending my v. best wishes.

 

Lots of good handover ideas already.

 

I once did an annual planner for a leadership meeting which showed the sorts of rotational things that happen during the year such as when funding forms would come in, when HMRC bills had to be paid, when to update SEF (bet you'll miss that job ), also when regular newsletters, parents meeting letters and other calendar events needed to go out to parents.

 

A list of useful contacts e.g., names, numbers, job roles could also come in useful too but I expect that most of these things are already on your list.

[hali]

owww Cait all I can is enjoy the year ahead and make the most of all those precious memories before you start new exciting ones with Mr C xxxxxxx :wub:

[jasminerose]

Cait, how is it going now that the time is getting closer?

[Cait]

It's going quite well, my Deputy is tasking more snd more in board and the other staff are doing things for themselves like printing things out, laminating, planning etc. it's all good!

However, it looks like I will be doing a couple of mornings a week for the Autumn term as they are so busy! That will ease the handover too as I can take a back seat and still be there if there are unforeseen snags

[MarshaD]

Wishing all the very best for the coming months and the future!

[lashes2508]

Wow Cait , what a year ahead with new horizons to follow , I don't have any practical advice as most be given here but I do know knowledge is power, when I took over I had to learn and find out everything myself . Your deputy and you will be safe in the knowledge that you will both have this transition time to share all the skills , knowledge and practical stuff you do and feel confident that when the time comes it will be left in safe capable hands. Xx