As a new manager at a Pre-school setting I have felt honoured that I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Professional Managers' Programme.
Colette, the programme facilitatior, has a unique manner combining professionalism with genuine warmth and nurture of us all and this has truly enabled me to shake off my nerves and insecurities about my position and what I can achieve.
Each and every one of the individuals teaching during the programme have too been very supportive and have opened my eyes to many aspects of business and management that were before an 'unknown field'... a field that I now feel confident to enter and explore.
Upon completion of the programme I will have a Business Plan that I feel confident about applying and I am aleady working with my team to extend our services.
I would honestly and most sincerely reccommend this programme; it has so much to offer and you can gain so much.
Donna Maass, Manager, Lydney Early Learners, Lydney
After 22 years working in a banking environment, I made a drastic career change and now work in an independent primary school. I have worked in the classroom of our early years class and have now taken on the bursar role, so have a hand in the management of the nursery. When I saw Colette’s advert for the Professional Managers’ Programme, I wondered if it could help me in developing ideas for our nursery, so applied and was lucky enough to be accepted.
Although my experience had been mainly in the business world, I have learned so much from each course topic and it has helped me to relate business techniques to the world of education and early years. Throughout the 5 months of the course I have met some fantastic people (indeed I have made some lovely friends along the way) and we have been able to regularly swap ideas and best practice which has been invaluable. We all have different approaches to early years, so there has always been someone on hand to answer my questions! We have also had regular talks from professionals in other walks of life and organisations so I have benefited from their experience too.
Each session two of the class give short presentations relating to early years management and although that can seem daunting (…don’t forget to breathe!!), each talk has given a new perspective on every day issues and we have all been given time to ‘pitch in’ with our own ideas and solutions.
I feel sad that our course is coming to an end but know that I will keep in touch with Colette and with friends on the course so that we can continue to support and learn from each other.
Julia White, Bursar, Airthrie School, Cheltenham
I would just like to say that although I still haven't managed to get everything in place to PMP standards, we are at least now working in a more progressive way.
I am much more confident in my dealings with colleagues and now know and understand what is required. I am constantly pushing not only to improve what we have to offer but to improve how we do it and keep records of how and what we do. It is the behind the scenes stuff that is so important, to be able to understand this has been a godsend.
Many many thanks to you and your team at Assente.
All the best
Geraldine, Jigsaur After School Club, Nailsworth
