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 […]
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.
