Navigating The Upcoming Employment Law Changes: Essential HR Solutions for Nursery Owners
As a nursery owner, you’ve got enough on your plate with managing staff, overseeing day-to-day operations, and providing quality care for children, but with the Labour Government’s 100-Day Pledge and the 60 upcoming changes to employment law, staying compliant may feel like yet another challenge. At Gateway HR, we’re here to help you stay informed […]
Fostering a Welcoming Environment for Male Educators
Imagine you’re visiting a vibrant nursery bustling with the laughter and chatter of children. As you walk through, you notice that all the educators, both men and women, interact with the children with equal enthusiasm and skill. But this scene is far from common. In reality, nurseries across the UK see a stark underrepresentation of male educators, […]
From Meetings to Morale: The Importance of Communication in Early Years
For all early years settings, success hinges on the strength and cohesion of our team. While in the current climate, recruitment itself can be a hugely challenging and stressful process, the journey doesn’t end once you’ve managed to onboard those wonderful new team members. Effective communication is the key to fostering alignment, a shared understanding, […]
Retake: It’s Not Free And It’s Not 15 Hours
The annual autumn statement saw the Chancellor promising a hike in staff wages and a drop in national insurance contributions. Whilst it got a large hooray from many, it has left the early years sector to deal with growing expenses without tax relief or help to make things more affordable. Here’s my take on it […]
Boom or Bust: The Critical Numbers In Your Childcare Business
If you own a childcare business and don’t know your numbers, you’re doing yourself an injustice. Your numbers are the key indicators that show how your nursery is doing, and whether you’re on track for a sustainable and successful future. It’s no good waiting for a yearly update from your accountant. By then it might […]
Working With Babies – Is Your Nursery Hitting The Framework Requirements?
Children develop incredibly quickly in the first two years of their lives. And that means that EYFS professionals working with babies (children under two years old) have a duty to ensure those little people thrive as they should. Though a vast percentage may not yet be able to talk to communicate their needs, responding to […]
5 Reasons Your Staff Are Leaving & How To Keep Them
There are no two ways about it. The Early Years sector is in crisis. Staff retention in our sector continues to face extreme pressure, with practices experiencing a vicious circle of recruitment and stress with little relief. So what can be done? When staff report feeling undervalued, undersupported and underpaid but there’s no money in […]
Should My Nursery Business Be A Limited Company Or A Sole Trader?
One of the questions we are frequently asked here at MBK is, ‘Should I become a limited company or stay as a sole trader?’. It’s a complex question to answer succinctly, since it depends very much on your unique set of circumstances and the type of nursery business you run. It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all […]
The Simple Yet Effective Strategy To Make 2023 A Successful Year For Your Nursery
Do you want to make 2023 the best year yet for your nursery? Do you have goals in mind and improvements you’d like to make? Has 2022 been a struggle, and you want to know how to progress? Or maybe this has been a fantastic year for your nursery growth and provision, and you want […]
Why Hiring For Your Nursery Is So Hard – And What To Do About It
Are you feeling frustrated about the lack of available nursery staff? Does it seem impossible to find reliable and skilled team members? Are you stressed about the time and money it takes to recruit and retain valuable employees? At MBK, we know what it takes to run a nursery and we understand your predicament. Over […]
3 Ways To Make Your Nursery More Profitable – Even If You’re Receiving Government Funding
Are you struggling with rising costs and wondering how you’ll balance the books of your nursery? Do you want to provide the best environment and resources for the children in your care but don’t have sufficient funding to make it possible? Frustrated at the lack of concern for the growing numbers of nurseries closing due […]