– Can you help me with the mitten? The girl has a winter suit with flowers, a pink hat and some purple mittens that she has to fold over the suit. Anita Indahl Gangeskar, general manager at Bjørneborgen kindergarten, does not hesitate. Here, all the adults must contribute. – I have been general manager here for 30 years. That’s how it’s always been, says Gangeskar. And the need for everyone to pull together is extra big now. DO THEY GET A GOOD ENOUGH OFFER?: Kindergartens and schools all over the country report staffing challenges. The children suffer because of it. Photo: Petter Strøm / news – Going above and beyond the children In the autumn, the Education Association conducted a survey among kindergarten managers. The answers indicate challenges with staffing and with obtaining substitutes. – This also applies in schools, but the situation is most precarious in kindergartens, says Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen, who will become deputy leader of the Education Association in the new year. – What consequences does this have? – This causes wear and tear on the employees, which can lead to a vicious spiral when it comes to sickness absence. But the most important thing is that children and pupils do not get the offer they should have. Anita Indahl Gangeskar has felt the same. These days she has an urgent need to bring in substitutes for her nursery. MUST BE HONEST: Some claim that all the negative attention the teaching and kindergarten teaching profession receives in the media contributes to these staffing challenges. Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen in the Education Association still believes it is important to tell about all sides of the teaching profession. Photo: Uddanningsforbundet – At this time of year there are a bit more colds and flu among people than there is at other times of the year. In addition, we had an acute illness in the family of several of the employees, says Gangeskar. But the temp bank and the temp agency they use are usually reasonably empty. – The consequence is that the staff have to be more flexible. We have to stand a little more than usual. We may have to put the lists a little lower when it comes to planned activities, she says. In the survey from the Education Association, the majority of managers say that they most often hire substitutes when necessary. Usually from day one. They also say that it rarely goes beyond the opening hours. But they often have to change the educational system due to staffing challenges: Lorentzen in the Education Association and Gangeskar in Bjørneborgen kindergarten believe that the lack of temporary staff is due to several things. – Must talk up the professions At the moment, we have very low unemployment in Norway. As a result, there are not as many temporary workers to take off. – In addition, it is demanding to be a substitute in a nursery school. Especially if absenteeism is generally very high. Then it will be difficult to follow up the substitutes, and perhaps you will end up with a greater responsibility as a substitute than you are comfortable with, says Ann Mari Milo Lorentzen. Among other things, she blames the requirements for basic staffing that the politicians decide. Higher staffing means less strain on the employees, Lorentzen believes. – The nursery staff also have a shamefully low salary. That doesn’t make it more attractive either, so there are some politicians here who should know their visiting hours, she says. Anita Indahl Gangeskar shares some of the views. SEVERAL CAUSES: Anita Indahl Gangeskar believes that the lack of temporary workers in schools and kindergartens is due to several things. Photo: Petter Strøm / news – I think it’s also a lot about the bad reputation that working in kindergartens has got. That it is so demanding. In addition, it is often said that we earn so poorly. And yes, we don’t earn well, but most people who work in daycare don’t do it because of the pay. – But should one just be silent about the challenges that exist? – You could perhaps angle it in a slightly different way. I don’t think we are familiar with standing up and saying we can’t do more. Because there are positive aspects to working in a nursery. Robin Mikkelsen acknowledges that the lack of temporary workers means that they have to change plans and work more. – But we work together very well to give the children the best possible offer. – Why is it so rewarding to work in a nursery? – It is very rewarding to be met with 15 children who come and give you a hug when you come to work in the morning. You’re a bit of a rock star. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. And Anita Indahl Gangeskar happily praises Robin and the other employees. LOW STATUS: Robin Mikkelsen believes that the status of nursery staff is an important reason why it is difficult to get hold of people. Photo: Petter Strøm / news – I have absolutely fantastic staff who lift each other up and help each other where needed. We have our permanent places of residence in different departments, but we are one nursery school, says Gangeskar. – All the adults know all the children by name, and know which department they belong to. This makes it easier to move people and to move children if necessary, in order to do the best job in the world.
ttn-69
The teachers cannot do their job, but there is neither money nor substitutes – news Nordland
