Our Staff

Staffing Philosophy

We strongly believe that our staff are our most valuable resource and notably we are an Investors in People accredited employer.

We recognise that the key to achieving a high quality service is through the careful selection of individuals who share our philosophy, that the well being and happiness of children is paramount.

At Early Years Childcare, it is our aim that the number of qualified staff employed meets and exceeds OFSTED requirements.

OFSTED requirements for Nurseries are as follows:

We carry out both internal quality practice reviews and external quality assurance schemes provided by local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs). These mechanisms ensure that the standard of care we provide in all our nurseries go beyond those required by Government.

When you come to our excellent nurseries, meet our staff and see them at work with your children, you will understand why so many parents recommend us.

The Early Years Childcare Team

The following are general descriptions of Nursery positions at Early Years Childcare. We take great care in our selection process to ensure we are recruiting the right people. Police and referencing checks are carried out on all employees.

Nursery Manager
Ensures the smooth running of the Nursery in accordance with Company policy and OFSTED regulations. Motivates staff with a shared sense of pride and energy. Promotes the Nursery as a business and builds parent relationships, dealing with any issues as they arise. Must possess a minimum of 3-5 years post qualification childcare and supervisory experience. This is a supernumerary role.

Deputy Manager
Works in partnership with the Nursery Manager to ensure the smooth running of the Nursery in accordance with company policy and OFSTED regulations. Must possess a minimum of 2-3 years post qualification experience. Depending on the size of the Nursery this may be a supernumerary role.

Senior Practitioner
Manages the responsibilities of running a room in conjunction with overseeing staff development, coaching and supervision for the whole team. Must possess a minimum of 2-3 years post qualification experience. Senior Practitioners receive training and development to provide them with the skills to become future managers.

Team Leader
A qualified childcare professional who is responsible for the day-to-day running of an allocated room. They perform an important role in training and developing staff, imparting their knowledge and skills to other team members. One-year post qualification experience is desirable.

Early Years Practitioner
A qualified childcare professional who is responsible for providing high quality care and ensures the safety and well being of all children. They are involved with the organisation of children’s daily activities. Must possess NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification.

NVQ Early Years Practitioner
Early Years Practitioners are responsible for providing high quality care and ensuring the safety and well being of all the children. Staff at more senior levels act as mentors to help NVQ Early Years Practitioners grow and develop in their role. Must have an interest in working towards a childcare qualification. Previous experience of a similar environment is desirable.

Lunchtime Support
Childcare professionals working part time over lunchtime to assist with the caring of the children during this busy time. Previous experience in a similar environment is desirable.

Bank Early Years Practitioner
A position that assists the Nursery to cover staff holidays and other absence, ensuring that ratios and high standards are maintained. Previous experience in a similar environment is desirable.

Nursery Chef
An experienced professional who is responsible for the preparation of nutritional meals and snacks for the children and meeting their individual dietary requirements. Ensures that the kitchen is maintained to a high standard in line with food and hygiene regulations. A recognised catering qualification is required.

Housekeeper / Domestic Assistant
Responsible for general cleaning, laundry, assisting the Chef and any other domestic duties that are required.

Investing in our Staff Team

We value our staff very highly. It is in our interests, the children’s and the individual’s that each staff member should be given the opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills.

Early Years Childcare is an Investors in People accredited employer and has built an enviable reputation for investment in staff. We are committed to providing continuous training and development for all employees. Our in-house training and NVQ centre offers extensive training courses on a wide range of subjects in order to meet the requirements of our employees.

Award Winning Employees

National Student of the Year Award  2005
18 year old Stephanie Raggio has won the ‘Nursery Management Today' magazine's ‘Student of the Year' award after beating competition from thousands of other entrants from across the country. She was given the award by newsreader, Micheal Buerke in front of an audience of several hundred at the London gala final on 25th November.

Stephanie, from Woodland Drive, Hove, was nominated for the award by her nursery manager, Debbie Lucas and Early Years Childcare Head Office team because of the outstanding dedication she has shown whilst working and studying for her NVQ qualifications. Stephanie has just completed her NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education and has already enrolled on the Level 3 course, taking time to help fellow trainees where she can.

Quality and Development Manager Kate Peach says 'We're so pleased that she has won the award. Her enthusiasm and commitment to childcare is exemplary, demonstrated by her willingness to work and train with the nursery as a volunteer when she left school at 16 until a salaried position became available'. Debbie adds 'She has an excellent relationship with the children and parents, showing maturity beyond her years. In fact some parents were surprised to learn (as a result of the nomination) that she  was a  trainee because of her confidence and ability. She is an excellent team member and a real asset to Early Years Childcare'.

'I am really over the moon that I've won this award, I can't tell you how much it means to me - I've worked really hard on my studies and I'm so delighted that it has been recognised' says Stephanie.

Ali Heal, Human Resources Manager notes ' We were thrilled last year when Gemma Harrison from our Lewes nursery won the award and to win it two years in a row is fantastic. We put a lot of emphasis on training and continual professional development here and this further award reflects this'.

Stephanie Raggio

Local Nursery Shortlised for National Award
Butterflies Nursery, in East Lane, Runcorn has been shortlisted from thousands of entrants in ‘Nursery Management Today' magazine's ‘Nursery Team of the Year' award category. The winner will be announced by newsreader, Micheal Buerke in front of an audience of several hundred at the London gala final on 25th November.

The nursery, run by Early Years Childcare since it opened 13 years ago, has been nominated because of its ongoing commitment to staff development and teamwork. The staff of fifteen come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and experience and over the years have become good friends as well as an outstanding team.

Jane Mclean, Nursery Manager says, ‘We are very proud and excited about reaching the final and its so pleasing that our achievements have been recognised. I'd particularly like to thank all the parents that have put forward such lovely letters in support of our nomination'.

Jane and Deputy Manager, Tracy Towns have worked together at the nursery for 12 years and are great examples of the high level of staff retention the nursery, parents and children enjoy.

Mrs Higgins, mother of twins girls and two boys who've attended the nursery, says ‘The nursery has helped me provide my children with the best possible start in life and I'd highly recommend it to any parent. The continuity and quality of the staff has been very reassuring for all my children and myself. They are always friendly and polite, dealing with any parental concerns I may have in a professional manner'.

The next challenge for the team is to attend a panel interview on 3rd November along with representatives of the four other nursery finalists. 'We were thrilled when Jane was shortlised as ‘Nursery Manager of the Year' last year and we really think that this team is outstanding and deserve to win', says Ali Heal, Human Resources Manager from Early Years Childcare's Head Office in Hove, East Sussex.

Front Row (left to right) Sharon Greenhalgh, Sarah Matthews, Cheryl Kingsley, Michelle Nicholls, Nikita Nuckley
Back Row (left to right) Cheryl Humphries, Jane Mclean, Tracy Towns, Claire Green

Nursery Manager Today Awards in 2004
Early Years Childcare participated in the national Nursery Manager Today Awards in 2004 and we were short listed from thousands of entrants in the following categories; Nursery Manager of the Year, Training and Development Award and Student/Trainee of the Year, which is an outstanding achievement. We are extremely proud of Gemma, NVQ Early Years Practitioner (Lewes Nursery) who won the Student/Trainee of the Year award.

Gemma receiving her award from Brian Connelly, Comedian and Host of the Awards ceremony