A commitment to developing its team has enabled Footprints to deliver a first-class quality service to its customers and has resulted in consistently high occupancy and a long waiting list for its nursery.
Staff turnover is very low, with just two team members leaving in the last three years. This has benefits for staff and for children and families, as they receive consistently high-quality care from familiar staff. This consistency allows better relationships to build between practitioner and children and families.
With a total of 24 permanent staff, Footprints prioritises both personal and professional staff development and promotes equality and diversity. This is enhanced by outside team building activities chosen by staff members.
Investment in staff training remains at a high level. In the past year, the manager and the deputy manager have been funded to complete an NVQ Level 4 in Leadership and Management, and the owner has achieved a first class honours degree through the Open University.
All staff have been supported to undertake accredited courses in paediatric first aid, food hygiene, baby signing, team leading and customer service.
A focus on the talents and individual aspirations of staff members creates a strong team ethos. Staff take pride in their ability to work together to create a nursery that is hugely appreciated by children and families.
As one parent said, 'Everyone has been fantastic, helping in any way possible. All our wishes were noted and followed through, and not only was our daughter made to feel welcome from day one, but we all were too.'
In the eyes of the awards judges, Footprints' commitment to holistic team development and the excellent evidence that it produced put it right at the top.
FINALISTS
Kid Ease, Folkestone, Kent
kidsunlimited, Apprenticeship Academy, London
Criterion: Open to early years and childcare services who have built a high-quality staff team through good practice in recruitment and retention, training and career development.
Sponsored by Asquith Day Nurseries.