Training for nursery staff
Staff training affects every aspect of a childcare business, and it should start on day one and continue throughout their career.
Induction
Induction training introduces staff to their workplace, their work team and the business ethos. It is essential that each member of staff receives the same induction training so you can be sure everyone receives the same information. This should also include health and safety training for each member of staff.
Once the induction process is complete, staff training can focus carefully on enhancing staff confidence, skill and expertise.
All Morton Michel policyholders have access to free e-training through Flick Learning. This can be used to ensure all your staff are trained to the same, high level on an ongoing basis, starting as soon as you take them on. You can find out more about Flick Learning here.
Continual Professional Development (CPD)
CPD qualifications are small courses in which learners study a vast variety of topics linked to both childcare and the work environment. Courses can vary from level 2 to level 4 or 5 and can be studied individually or as a group. It is important that each member of staff contributes to their CPD each year and keeps a record of their achievements. It is an opportunity for them to study an area which they may be uncomfortable with, or to increase their knowledge in areas they find interesting.
Many areas of CPD must be kept up-to-date on an ongoing basis. These include health and safety, paediatric first aid and food hygiene. It is extremely important that you keep track of each member of staff’s training and achievement dates so that their training can be revisited whenever necessary. Some settings have a Training Manager who is responsible for exactly this and oversees the members of staff who are working towards qualifications. This may be something to consider when you have a large number of staff and lots of training to keep track of.
If you are looking for training solutions, all Morton Michel policyholders have access to Flick learning. Through their system, you can track your staff’s training progress, assign them particular learning journeys and certify them as having completed important courses. It is regularly updated and covers a wide variety of subject areas, including the EYFS, HR, Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Compliance. You can find out more about Flick Learning here.
Vocational qualifications
Vocational qualifications are also available. It is important that all staff in your setting are working towards the achievement of the required level 3 childcare qualification if they have not gained one already.
Depending on their skills and experience, some members of staff may need to achieve the level 2 qualification before they can begin the level 3 qualification, but others will be able to start training at level 3 immediately. These qualifications are vocational, and so each member of staff will need to be working or volunteering in the setting at the same time as completing their coursework.
Members of staff who have achieved the required level 3 qualification, but have taken on more managerial responsibilities, may want to complete a level 5 qualification. The level 5 qualification focuses on management skills within the childcare setting and is also a vocational qualification. No matter what level of qualification members of staff have achieved, it is still essential that they focus on their CPD.