I am enjoying reading a report published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) in to Neurodiversity At Work. Although the focus of the report is on enabling organisations to welcome into our teams people with what might be commonly regarded as disabilities e.g. dyslexia, autism or ADHD, it prompted me to think about…
Celebrating Micro-Businesses
Today is #MicroBizMattersDay so I am celebrating those micro-businesses who have supported and mentored me to develop my own successful micro-business. Like all micro-business owners, I couldn’t do what I do in isolation. I rely on a supportive network of like-minded professionals to help me to keep my business operating effectively and to deliver excellent…
New rules make life simpler for small charities
Typically small charities (including those in the Early Years sector) have to go through the burden of dual registration with both the Charity Commission and Companies House in order to retain charitable status and at the same time gain the protection offered by incorporation. This has required additional registration fees, and the submission of returns…
A matter of health
October’s World Mental Health Day got me thinking about how well small businesses tackle this issue. In recent decades many health conditions have benefited from public awareness campaigns, resulting in more open dialogue, but mental health remains one area where employers typically feel ill-equipped to support their staff and employees often feel that they need…
Good work is good for us all
The Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, which was published this summer, was widely reported in the press for comments about the changing nature of the employer/employee relationship with the rise of the so-called ‘gig economy’. An aspect of the report that wasn’t so widely mentioned was the conclusion that “The shape and content of work,…
Equality, diversity and discrimination
Yesterday was the UN International Day of People with Disability, a date in the calendar which reminds us to think about how we make people with a disability welcome into our businesses, both as colleagues and as customers. Many small business managers are fearful of employing a person with a disability, thinking that they will…
Tough times mean small businesses need to focus on their people
Whilst most small business owners recognise the need to invest in their staff, during challenging times it is very tempting to put people management concerns on the back burner. But now more than ever is the time to make sure that you get the best from one of your most valuable resources – your people.…
DfE funding to support 30 hours business skills
The DfE has just announced The Delivery Support Fund (DSF) to support local authorities in creating additional 30 hours places in the summer term. This is a very flexible pot of funding which can be used in a variety of ways including training for providers and for local authority staff to develop the business skills…
Surviving 30 Hours – Nursery World Business Summit 2017
It was a great pleasure and privilege to speak to members of the Early Years business community at last week’s Business Summit about my thoughts on developing change-ability and surviving 30 hours. The Minister got a rather cool reception (to be expected as he had nothing new to say about the 30 hours, but reckoned…
Responsible Reputation leads to Business Book Publication
As a member of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses for a number of years, I was delighted when they invited me to talk about how my book came about for their blog. I am a real believer in the principles of responsible business practice and make every effort to adopt responsible and ethical practices in…
Childminders – Taking Care Of Business
I was recently interviewed by Childcare Professional Magazine about the business skills that childminders need to develop in order to survive and thrive at a time of enormous change. You can read the article here Taking Care Of Business Childcare Professional is the magazine of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY). Their recently launched…
Why Childminding Is Like a Three Legged Stool
Recent Ofsted statistics indicate that the number of childminders in the UK has dropped from almost 60,000 in 2012 to 43,500 this year. I suspect that if you asked those who have left what was behind their decision, it’s not because they don’t love looking after children, it’s because of the challenges they’ve encountered dealing with…
New from Flourishing People – cost effective online training
Flourishing People has offered high quality face to face training for many years. Recently I have seen the demand for more accessible training increase and so have now contracted to distribute a suite of high quality, video based e-learning in addition to our face to face services. Like me, you’ve probably experienced some pretty poor…
Driving safely on your own
As a woman who travels extensively with work, I find that I often have to drive to places I don’t know and park in public car parks. During the winter months, I do a lot of this travelling after dark. I was reminded recently of some tips I was once given about personal safety when…
The dreaded appraisal
There has been some discussion in HR circles recently about dumping appraisal processes. I acknowledge that there are often problems with the way that appraisals are conducted which make them a less than positive experience for all concerned – but let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water! There are things that can…
Maximise income, minimise expenditure
Balancing the books as a childminder is likely to involve a combination of reducing costs and increasing income. My recent blog post for PACEY – Maximise Income, Minimise Expenditure as part of their Business Toolkit for Childminders, focuses on some of the steps that you could take to help you to operate sustainably.
Darwin’s Lessons Can Help Early Years Settings
Charles Darwin once said that “It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, but the one most responsive to change”. This is likely to be true for the early years and childcare sector over the coming years. “Change-ability” should perhaps be considered our most essential business skill. In my recent Nursery World article –…
Flourishing People at the NEyTCO Conference
I was delighted to exhibit at the National Early Years Trainers & Consultants Organisation conference – With Early Years In Mind. The conference provided an in-depth look at the use of neuroscience to develop a brain-based approach to early education. The speakers were excellent and entertaining and I even managed to get my book signed…
Are they really self employed?
Once again today the headlines has been full of news about the extent to which employers are avoiding tax by declaring that their staff are self employed. I come across this a lot and so recently, following the Uber court case, wrote a short article on this subject for IQ Magazine. You can take a read…
Flourishing People at the Nursery World Show
I was delighted to have the opportunity last weekend to share the NEyTCO Training & Consultancy Zone at this year’s Nursery World Show with fellow consultants and NEyTCO Members to introduce our services to visitors to the show. The NEyTCO presence there included some amazing people. Mine Conkbayir was launching her book on Early Childhood and Neuroscience, dieticians Foodtalk were selling their…