Case Study 3

Today has been a particularly challenging day at your setting. Karen, who works in the office, has been off sick and the phone seems as if it’s been ringing non-stop all day. Staff have been feeling the pressure of having to deal with essential telephone calls and personal callers to the nursery at the same time as being with the children and are quite tired and stressed. Now it is time for the majority of the children to be collected and a new member of staff has suggested that as Karen is not there to open the door to let parents in, you should leave the outside door ‘on the latch’ so that staff do not have to repeatedly go to the door themselves

• Is this a reasonable solution to the difficulties faced on this occasion? Why do you think this?
• Which of your setting’s policies and procedures are relevant to this situation?
• Is there any legislation that covers this situation?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.