Guest Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 The nursery consists of 9 staff: Myself; 2 staff in the baby room; 3 staff in the 2 to 3's; 3 staff in 3 to 5's. There have been a few new staff over the last 10 months, and some staff movement around the nursery. There have also been some changes to practice which the "this-is-the-way-we've-always-done-things" staff haven't coped well with. The changes have been very positive, and for the good of the children - as all changes should be, but have caused some staff to grumble between themselves about what might change next. Hence the staff have retreated to the comfort of the team within their room, and the whole team are feeling quite divided. I am seriously considering closing the nursery for a day, and for 1/2 of it having a team building or fun event, so that staff can see that actually the wonderful nursery nurse that has just joined the team is implementing brilliant things, and that she is a really lovely member of the team - not one to grumble about, etc!!!!! Does anyone have any ideas? It would be good to get out somewhere, but not too far from base as I want to use the other part of the day for work!! Similarly, has anyone been on a good team day? Low budget ideas please! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 Wish i had some ideas, but if you find some let me know, as our tem could do with this team building as well...... wanna team up hee hee ... my team are also grumbling at changes, and at the weather, at at all the new ideas i have put forward (even tho as you suggest they are for the best).... hmmmm... half the team think they are just at work for a jolly good natter about the weekend etc etc... and not for the children... wondering how to get past that one.... good luck with the team building idea Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 Dawn - I've been manager for 3 months and havent even brushed the surface of the natters and the grumbles yet!! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 HI Shelley it kind of becomes ever so slightly demoralising when your in the office and all you hear (through the one trusted person i have on the team) is 'so and so said this/that or the other' and so and so won't actually come to me....kind of makes me cross. equally i know everyone is going through transitions at the moment, and we all cope differently, hopefully the ground shall settle on this one... Dawn Dawn - I've been manager for 3 months and havent even brushed the surface of the natters and the grumbles yet!! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tinkerbell Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Could you go out for lunch or a bar snack in the evening?We had a training day at ther National Gallery which was very motivating (we are a small school) Good luck in whatever you do, we have moaning staff as well,i introduced a fortnightly meeting as they grumbled they didnt know what was going on...there is a weekly newsletter and the HT puts up a weekly bulletin.Moving TAs around is also a good thing so they dont get cosy. Tinkerbellx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Hi, Shelly, I wonder when we all started on our child care carrer if we really apprecated the amount of different work place hats we would have to wear!! Leading a team of staff is tough as you have to be friendly and approachable but on the other hand to be to friendly can cause issues if you have to address seroius matters. Team work works well and is essential but can quickly fall down. I find that honest communication is the key between all parties. Why not try to disscuss informaly the moans & groans over breakfast and coffee in the morning provided by you. I have a great team of girls who work well together but every now and again a word is required to address matters, I work hard to boost their confidence and I ask their opinions on new ideas this works well but you do need to be able to take on board their ideas and very importantly give their ideas a try. Hope you get sorted, keep your chin up, not many people like change but don't let it get you down!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 We often go out together socially as a staff (everyone 15 staff aged 18-65) really does create good working relationships. In the past we have done murder mystery nights at local hotels, bowling, laser quest, river cruises etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 we always go out for a meal in the summer and at christmas, works wonders and everyone always enjoys it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 (edited) We have just had an end of term bbq, where all staff brought a plate of food to our nursery's owners house and her husband cooked for us (18 staff in total!). We also go out at christmas, but also in our unit (the 2-3 yr olds) we often go out to lunch - well it has taken me four years to eventually feel confident enough to go with them but to their credit they kept asking and I really feel part of the team now, I should of gone ages ago, it's lovely to be able to get to know someone outside of work and talk about non-nursery related things it helps to cement relationships and we can then all support each other. Edited July 25, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Marion beat me to it, I was going to suggest bowling. A few years ago I was involved in a 2 year project, at the beginning of this project the 'team' got together on one day to go over 'business', mainly an information day, lots of info about the aims of the project, line management, admin stuff, how to make salary & travel claims etc. Went away with lots of paperwork to read- but also this was the first time all the team were together for the 1st time. It was a full day event and lunch was provided. I remember it particularly well because of these reasons; 1/ It set the agenda- the aims of the project in a formal way and showed the possible sense of achievement and pride we could all look forward to by completing the aims. This you could possibly do by involving your 'team' in suggesting and agreeing to a few 'goals for the year'. It can seem like our work is 'never ending, yes we have academic years, but we tend to be considering the next term before the current term has ended, even at the end of the 'academic year'. By setting goals for the year the staff will feel motivated throughout the year as they see themselves working together in reaching these goals. That said, they have to be achievable, and fun, and not necessarily work related- maybe you could think of a theme ie: a goal about environment improvement such as everyone search for, or get unusual instruments, ie when abroad on holiday, to develop the music area. ( or even design and make their own to contribute) or it may be a social goal ie: To decide as a goal to have fun competitions for the year, such as monthly fun quizzes, a staff + their families sports day ( like It's a knock-out), bowling tournaments, rounders or even start up a netball team, inter-team competitions, which room team can raise the most for a chosen charity- have trophy presentations at the end of year. See what ideas your staff can come up with. 2/ This 1st meeting, I realised how uncomfortable some people can be eating with people they don't really know, lots of food at the buffet was left over. So maybe eating is not always the best idea ( I became aware once when committee members had get togethers at a local restaurant / bar, that one member of the group who used to attend, not wanting to offend, would rush home after, strip off, get in the shower, because she hated being around smokers). My name was particularly remembered after this buffet lunch because I was the one who put a whole cherry tomato in her mouth and squirted pips all over the project manager . The second time the team got together, on a social event was 'bowling', I had never played before, and everyone was so friendly and kind, giving me tips on what weight ball to have, how to roll not throw etc. It helped me begin to feel part of the team. I was learning about my colleagues personalities 'out of work', what type of sense of humour each one had etc. And on this occasion which members of my team were competitive or not, only because after all their wonderful advice the first time I ever bowled a bowling ball in my whole life, I GOT A STRIKE :wacko: . Most everyone was pleased for me At the end of it all we had a very successful 2 yr project where our goals were even exceeded, and a few of those colleagues became close friends ( not the person who got the cherry tomato spray though, or the person who thought I was a hustler at the bowling alley :rolleyes: ) I hope you do get to socialise, I know the team will gell, because they have such a positive leader, who is also sensitive to the PSE needs of her staff Let us know how things go. Peggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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