Nursery World Awards 2022 - Nursery Group of the Year

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In three years, Kindred Nurseries has more than tripled in size, going from six settings in 2019 to 23 today. With a mantra that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’, every time a new nursery joins the group, emphasis is put on collecting all its best bits and sharing them across the ever-expanding Kindred family.

The launch of Kindred’s own pedagogy this year saw staff receive access to a suite of interactive resources, including personal booklets, QR codes linking to templates, videos and learning activities, mood boards and more. This was launched to staff via a live, virtual session, attended by over 480 employees. The pedagogy has had a huge impact on the group’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality care and education across all its settings, and to meet the individual needs of its children.

The Kindred Training Academy has face-to-face and virtual training sessions written by the group’s director of childcare and nursery managers, and includes bitesize training on its pedagogy. The Academy ensures core skills and knowledge are secure, as well as providing sessions off the back of training needs analysis feedback. The head office classroom is regularly set up to model ideal environments, from play to in the moment planning examples.

The company allows individuals to develop in a way that best supports their learning style. Nursery managers receive training needs analysis tools and resources to review their team’s knowledge and skills, while all members of staff are enrolled on Virtual College courses.

Groups including an internal buddy manager network, SENDCo committee, health and safety committee and working groups in curriculum and pedagogy, planning and assessment, and nutrition allow best practice to be shared and ensure Kindred remains at the forefront of any industry change.

Passionate about staff well-being, the group offers a team of PANCos and 50 qualified mental health first aiders, a staff well-being survey, Medicash benefits, an employee counselling programme, additional sick pay and guidance and advice from occupational health. Most recently, the group has devised and created a Mrs Hinch-style journal and tabletop daily planner to alleviate day-to-day admin stress by streamlining tasks and uncluttering processes.

Staff are currently working on a project to make it easier for parents to re-enter the workforce and establish a fulfilling work-life balance by developing new flexible working policies.

The group encourages good eating habits and recently had its new menus accredited by a children’s nutritionist. A chef’s committee group meets monthly to discuss how to inspire children to eat healthily. A recent ‘Plant to Plate’ project has seen all Kindred nurseries planting their own allotments, which children tend to, learn about, pick and help prepare food for their very own lunches in the nursery.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Stramash Social Enterprise, Scotland

Stramash is a registered charity operating four fully outdoor nursery settings.

Staff come from a range of backgrounds and skills, and staff turnover is low. Since 2016, the group has been an accredited Living Wage employer.

The group works hard to build and maintain trusting relationships with children, families and the local community. Nurseries nurture children’s sense of place in their local landscape and neighbourhood while settings support and are supported by their communities.

As a social enterprise, the group is governed by an engaged and highly skilled board from a variety of backgrounds and sectors.

Stramash’s Quality Assurance Framework ensures key activities, routines and responsibilities are delivered, and is externally monitored through regular inspections.

Clear career progression opportunities are set out from the start, and staff are encouraged to visit other settings to share skills. A cycle to work scheme, staff bonuses and a funded health scheme are also available.

FINALISTS

Ashbridge Independent School and Nursery Group, Preston

Finkley Nurseries, Hampshire

Sleepy Hollow Group, N Ireland

Stars Day Nurseries, Peterborough

Wolds Childcare, Nottinghamshire

CRITERION

Open to UK nursery groups with three or more settings.