Secret Santa can be a lovely way to bring some festive cheer into the workplace. For many teams, it’s a simple tradition that lifts spirits and encourages a bit of light-hearted fun in the busy run-up to Christmas. But without a few gentle boundaries, it can also create awkwardness or misunderstandings. A little structure helps […]
With the weather changing and September flying by, staff at schools and nurseries and many parents will be only too aware of how coughs, colds and tummy bugs circulate. It’s also a time where a lot of youngsters are learning to use the toilet, wash hands and with the best intentions little accidents can happen […]
Have you ever wondered how your employees are feeling about their employment with you? The use of exit interviews with leavers is very well established within UK plc, but the use of stay interviews to find out why people stay with you is a more modern intervention. Stay interviews are a powerful tool for organisations […]
Imagine this: you run a busy Wraparound Club providing care before and after school. You employ a member of staff whose key role is to safely transport children to and from school each day in the club minibus. Then, one Monday morning, that employee comes into work and tells you they’ve been disqualified from driving […]
From time to time, small businesses may find themselves in a situation where an employee requests a period of unpaid leave. This can often arise in term time only contracts, where the employee is to take their leave in the school holidays, and yet they request unpaid time off in term time. The reasons people […]
Recruiting the right people in early years settings is about far more than filling a vacancy, it’s about ensuring children are cared for in a safe, nurturing environment by trusted adults. References are a vital part of the safer recruitment process, and occasionally, an employer may receive a reference that is less than positive. So, […]
On 7th July 2025, the UK Government agreed that it would amend the Employment Rights Bill to formally grant bereavement leave to mothers who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation. This means that likely from 2027, once new statutory instruments have been implemented, mothers will have a day one right to take at least one […]
Making a job offer is a key step in the Safer Recruitment process, but it’s also a legal commitment. Once a candidate accepts an unconditional offer, a binding contract is formed. If an employer then tries to withdraw the offer, the individual could bring a claim for breach of contract. That’s why using conditional offers […]
For Early Years providers, ensuring that staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid (PFA) isn’t just best practice, in England it’s a statutory requirement. Under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework effective from 1st September 2025, providers must ensure that at least one person with a full current PFA certificate is available on […]
Recently Redwing was contacted by a client who wanted to end a fixed term contract (FTC) of an employee earlier than the end date which was 8 weeks hence. We had not drafted the FTC for the client who had decided to amend some written terms and conditions that they had on record. We asked […]
We have often heard the comment that “you can give only good references” and they cannot be negative in nature. This is untrue. If someone was dismissed that can be reported on a reference, if it was true, it is a accurate reference. If they might have been dismissed if they had not of resigned […]
When creating references they must be a true, accurate and fair representation of the person. You cannot mislead someone or you might face a consequence. The person providing the reference needs to present the details in an even-handed manner and avoid misleading the recipient by either adding things to the reference or leaving out relevant […]
When it comes to Safer Recruitment, obtaining employment references is a crucial part of the selection process. However, under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, both requesting and providing a reference involves processing personal data, and with that comes legal responsibilities. In basic terms, employers who are […]
If you are operating contracts of employment where you’ve been a little too restrictive, and feel you may need flexibility in the future, now is the time to act. If you don’t have a flexibility clause to move the team, if you don’t have the flexibility to change their pattern of work. You could fall […]
In October 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) published its response to the consultation on safeguarding reforms within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. A pivotal aspect of these reforms is the enhancement of safer recruitment practices, particularly concerning the provision of employment references that include details of substantiated safeguarding concerns meeting the harm […]
When an employee is off sick, it can be challenging to know how to stay in touch. You want to show your support without crossing any boundaries. Finding that balance is key, not only for the well-being of your team member but also to maintain a sense of connection while they’re away. Here are some […]
Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is not only a legal obligation but also a key factor in creating a diverse and productive workforce. One valuable resource available to UK employers is the Access to Work scheme, a government initiative designed to provide practical and financial support to employees with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and […]
Candidates taking up a position which involves working with, caring for or attending a child must have two written references (these cannot be from relatives) and have given their consent for these references to be passed on to the client before they can commence work. When employing staff, you must check references thoroughly before they […]
In England we are preparing for safeguarding reforms from September 2025 in the area of safer recruitment. The aim of Safer Recruitment is to deter, reject, or identify people who might pose a risk or are unsuited to work with children. Ofsted expect robust safer recruitment practices, including thorough checks of employment history and qualifications. […]
When recruiting staff for a day nursery in England, ensuring candidates are suitable to work with children is a legal and ethical necessity. If a prospective employee has lived or worked overseas, particularly in a role involving children, obtaining a police check from the relevant country is an essential step in safer recruitment. This guide […]
When we are asked as HR professionals to support Nursery Owners with this question, the first place we start is to understand the severity of the style. There is a massive difference between someone who is Nasty! Someone who fuels a culture of fear and damages team morale and someone who has good intentions but […]
If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the pressures being heaped upon the Early Years sector at this present time this blog is for you. You know the expression. You can’t fill from an empty cup. As early years leaders or self employed childminders, you are responsible to consider your own wellbeing. We often […]
When we first had the Working Time Regulations we were told we would have to record breaks. I can recall it still, we all thought exactly how are we going to do that given that for most employees the timing of breaks has to be flexible to meet the needs of the business. Thankfully that […]
This month saw my son James turn 21 years of age. James was the reason I started Redwing Solutions, to be able to spend more time with him when he was a baby. In my 21 years of business I think the hardest challenge I have faced is getting staff to think and act for […]
The use of KPIs in your Day Nursery, Pre-school or Out of School Club makes good business sense. All too often we hear of businesses using lagging rather than leading KPIs. In this blog I will explain the difference and outline why, to use KPI’s effectively you should have a mix of lagging and leading […]
The “Experience-Based Route for Early Years” is non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education, designed to assist early years providers in implementing an alternative pathway for staff to be included in the staff-to-child ratios at Level 3, even if they do not hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification. This is a STATUS, not […]
When you’ve conducted a disciplinary or a grievance process and raised a letter of outcome you then have to consider how you will give the outcome to your employee. This is an area where I am afraid, some employers forget the importance of the psychological contract. How we best communicate? Here’s an example. Employee A […]
Introduction In Day Nurseries, Pre-schools, and Out of School Clubs, the well-being of both staff and children is paramount. It is universally recognised that the integration of HR and health and safety functions is crucial for creating a safe, efficient, and supportive environment. While HR primarily focuses on managing people and organisational structures. Health and […]
Recruiting the right team is essential for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in the early years sector. Safer recruitment practices are not just about filling vacancies but about safeguarding children and complying with legal and regulatory obligations. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your recruitment processes are robust and meet the […]
With the impact of the increased National Minimum Wage (NMW) employers need to ensure that they fully understand their obligations before April 2025. Here are the payments that count towards National Minimum Wage: Things that don’t count towards National Minimum Wage: Things that reduce pay include: Things that may be applicable that don’t benefit the […]
