Toni Krajnik, who runs Wise Owl Private Day Nurseries, which has two settings in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire and Durrington, Wiltshire, decided to start Fuzzy Caterpillar Childcare Recruitment in response to the lack of such services in the Wiltshire region.
Fuzzy Caterpillar will be officially launched in May and aim to provide temporary and permanent staff for early years settings in the area at a competitive price.
Ms Krajnik said that the agency is unique in that all the bank staff on its books receive hands-on training at the Wise Owl nurseries and continual support, including help to complete their NVQ qualifications.
Ms Krajnik said, 'We often struggle to find emergency cover for our Wiltshire nursery, as there are no agencies in the surrounding area that have bank nursery staff. But with the launch of Fuzzy Caterpillar Childcare Recruitment Agency this will no longer be an issue.
'The aim of the agency is to provide a top-end service with a focus on the quality of bank staff, rather than quantity. Already people have signed up including Wise Owl staff who want to top up their existing hours.'
To be considered as bank staff, childcare professionals are first interviewed and observed at one of the Wise Owl nurseries by staff. Ms Krajnik said she would also be taking on apprentices.
If Fuzzy Caterpillar proves successful, said Ms Krajnik, she hopes to roll out the idea nationally.
She also has plans to open a third nursery in Messingham, North Lincolnshire, early next year (News, 7 July 2010).
Further information