To help nurseries stay afloat, they are being told to iron parents clothes and cook their meals
Nursery managers up and down the country are feeling insulted by latest remarks asking them to iron and make parents meals. This would mean staff are working for free. Nurseries who are struggling are being urged to cook and iron parents clothes to help stay open.
With the introduction of the 30hs free childcare scheme being implemented shortly, staff have been suggesting ways they could help keep nurseries afloat.
Suggestions being made are when nurseries have spare staff they could offer an ironing service for parents, clean during sessions, saving nurseries having to employ a cleaner and reducing staff to adult ratio when children are on holiday.
Other suggestions are:
- Selling takeaway meals to families
- Paying staff the same pay scale regardless of their qualifications
- Asking staff to work voluntarily for a term until things pick up.
The suggestion that staff could iron for families has caused a debate between many people, some arguing that it is an insult as many practitioners chose a career in childcare to work with children not iron clothes. Providing high-quality childcare is a top priority for all childcare providers.
What are your views on this topic?