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 […]
Just recently I was told that Generation Z who are now entering the workplace, probably could scroll before they could talk. Just let that sit for a minute. Generation Z are likely to be working in our Day Nurseries and Out of School Clubs in large numbers. They are soon to be followed by Generation […]
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 […]
With the introduction of the Worker Protection (Amendment to Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 employers now need to look at the training of their employees to ensure that both managers are aware of how to respond to sexual harassment complaints, and how employees understand what is required of them. In terms of manager training we […]
When we talk to Managers about performance management, it is common for the conversation to occur because someone’s performance is sub optimal. Manager’s love talking performance management. Actually that’s not true, they dislike it and often tell us just how unimpressed they are that we are encouraging them to manage performance using a semi formal […]
Just the other week we were talking in the office about the potential that people have for small fibs or big lies on CVs. I reminded the team of the case of Neil Taylor, former CEO of Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Trust who was caught out 20 years ago by an eagle eyed HR professional […]
Training is a fundamental and essential part of an employees career journey with their employer however it can also be costly investment. Understandably it’s common to want to see some return on the investment through retaining your skilled employees. In today’s recruitment market it can also be a useful incentive for employees to remain in […]
We will all soon be stopping for a break over Christmas and one of things I inevitably end up doing over the Christmas break is to think about my business. I suspect you are the same. Thinking about the performance of our team can often be part of that thinking. January is an excellent time […]
As someone who has been a manager for 32 years I can tell you that the Praise Sandwich does not cut it! Don’t use it, ditch it, there’s better tools out there! In 2024, managers and leaders need other tools to give their team feedback. Here’s a round up of my favourites and one’s that […]
When it comes to communicating with our teams we have three choices. We can: When we are listening to respond we are being transactional. Picture the scene, the Nursery Manager walks into the kitchen and asks a relatively new and inexperienced Chef “Have you had numbers for today’s lunch?”. Yes, replies the Chef. “Jolly Good” […]
As a Day Nursery Owner, you rely on your managers to inspire, guide, and support their teams. However, it’s not uncommon to hear complaints about management styles that lean heavily on telling rather than showing. This can lead to disengaged staff, higher turnover, and even grievances. To turn this around, let’s borrow a concept from […]
With the announcement of the Employment Rights Bill and the detailed breakdown of the Government’s intentions in their Next Steps to Make Work Pay document we know have a little more information about how all employers, big and small will be impacted. Whilst we understand the Government intends to consult and some of the new […]
How to Change an Employee’s Pay Frequency: A Guide for Employers Changing an employee’s pay frequency, such as shifting from weekly to monthly pay, involves several key considerations that span technical, financial, and HR implications. Employers must handle this transition carefully to avoid undue stress for employees and ensure compliance with employment regulations. Financial Implications […]
We’ve all been there, busy getting a new starter on board, and neglecting the paperwork that will form the basis of the employment relationship. Or we’ve been delighted that someone has accepted a promotion and we get busy making plans for their progression rather than tie up the paperwork loose ends! Unfortunately in HR, this […]
This weekend I was asked to be on the Childcare Expo Share and Support stage talking about the challenge of Recruitment and Retention. Here’s some top tips that I shared with attendees: We hope these are useful. Our Recruitment Challenge ebook is available here.
Could your business survive if you were forced to close? For a day? two days, three days a week? At what stage would your parents leave and register somewhere else, when would your reputation be in tatters, how long could you pay wages without an income? A week, two weeks a month? According to a […]
We often get asked whether in a Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) if its OK if sellers share employee information and data with the buyer. Sometimes its not a question of If, and more a question of When! This is a very good question, because in normal circumstances businesses are keen to ensure […]
It was reported only last week that the Government intends to consult on plans to make it harder for employers who refuse requests to allow employees to work a 4 day week. The BBC reported that Full-time workers’ rights to ask for a four-day working week could be strengthened under government plans to increase flexible […]
Burnout has become a growing concern in today’s fast-paced work environment, with more employees feeling overwhelmed and exhausted due to excessive work demands. Burnout is not just about feeling tired; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. When employees consistently work long hours without adequate rest, it can lead […]
In a recent Safeguarding training day my team and I were exploring the similarities between perpetrators of abuse and their public persona. There were so many that had been described as charismatic, larger that life characters who had strong personalities that dominated their environments. They certainly didn’t have the word abuser on their forehead! Just […]
Engaging volunteers in a day nursery can be a rewarding experience for both the volunteers and the children they assist. However, careful consideration and planning are essential to ensure a beneficial and safe environment for everyone involved. Here are 5 key factors to consider when engaging a volunteer to work in a day nursery. 1. […]
Recently I was reading about a workplace where an employee, signed off as unfit for work by their GP had communicated with their employer that they would be out of the country and travelling overseas. The employer was alarmed to read that their unfit colleague was well enough to travel by plane. As we are […]
Within a Day Nursery, Pre-school or Out of School Club the camaraderie among staff members plays a critical role in maintaining a nurturing environment. However, a seemingly harmless conversation known as “banter” can, if left unchecked, sow discord in this otherwise harmonious setting. What is banter? Banter, the light-hearted exchange of teasing remarks often brushed […]
In England and Wales, a returning officer gets to choose where to put a polling station for elections. Schools, particularly primary schools are a popular choice, the school can’t charge the returning officer and it will be determined by the Headteacher whether the school is to close. Day nurseries and pre-schools and Clubs are often […]
I write this watching the league one playoffs where Oxford United face Bolton Wanderers to see who will be in the Championship next season. Its a beautiful day in Wembley and I’ve just observed that I hope for the players sake, this doesn’t go for penalties as it looks like a warm one. Watching football […]
Nursery Owners and Managers all share one thing in common, they are often time poor. Time is not infinite and we can make it much harder to manage our workloads when we expect to be the one that solves all of the problems that might need solving. Don’t get me wrong there is a time […]
Background The landmark Alabaster ruling has set a significant precedent in the calculation of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), emphasising the importance for employers to meticulously review whether SMP needs recalculating whenever there are pay rises. Understanding this ruling and its implications is crucial for both compliance with employment law and the support of equitable workplace […]
Background An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of a woman’s womb, usually in one of her fallopian tubes. The egg can continue to grow and can cause the fallopian tube to rupture; this in turn can lead to internal bleeding and frequently requires surgery. It is a life-threatening condition with […]
We often talk about how many managers and owners in Early Years are heart led. When we say this it’s not a criticism, its merely and observation. We feel for you. You see when we lead with empathy it can affect the ease in which we make decisions involving people. This is particularly true when […]
When it comes to management one of the greatest offences we can commit as a manager is to give our employees only half our attention. It is both an offence to the employee and to ourselves. So what do I mean by ‘give your employees your full attention’. Great relationships are build on great environments. […]
