Nursery World Awards 2013: Initiatives - Team Development

Judges agreed that Team Cranley is a highly motivated and enthusiastic staff team dedicated to improving quality for children.

Group director Karen Murray, who nominated the 50-strong staff team for the award, believes that a highly skilled workforce is critical to offering children the best possible learning experiences.

Developing this team begins with rigorous recruitment procedures where candidates go through a two-stage interview process and pass high entry standards to ensure a good team fit. There is also a comprehensive induction process for new recruits, including coaching from experienced staff.

Karen says, 'Our passion for positive care and learning outcomes characterises Cranley. Our forward-thinking, dynamic management team believes staff training and continued professional development is the key ingredient in delivering these outcomes for children. In fact, it is the core foundation of Cranley's success.'

Last year, two Cranley nurseries received all 6s in their inspections, the highest possible Care Inspectorate grades, and the latest annual survey of parents indicated that they are aware of and recognise the importance of Cranley's skilled team and how it positively impacts on their children's learning.

Thorough staff evaluation is in place and managers and deputies swap nurseries once a year to provide feedback for discussion. Practitioners are also given the opportunity to shadow colleagues in other nurseries, which helps to share ideas and set common goals.

Hard work is rewarded with an annual staff awards scheme recognising delivery excellence. Above all, the happiness of the team is perhaps best demonstrated by Cranley's fantastic retention record. All managers have worked for the company for between six and 13 years and staff turnover is minimal, giving the group the benefit of depth of experience, wide-ranging expertise and a strong loyalty to run the childcare business and take it forward.

Highly commended

Children's Choice Nursery, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

Staff development and happiness is a huge focus for the Children's Choice management team. Colleagues are supported to ensure their mental health and welfare is promoted and maintained.

While professionally staff are encouraged to further their careers by undertaking additional training, their personal lives are also valued - over the years, staff have been supported through bereavements, personal depression, dealing with being a single parent, financial difficulties and eating disorders, as well as celebrating weddings, pregnancies and graduations.

This commitment to supporting the whole person has contributed to the nursery having a very low staff turnover. The majority of staff stay at the nursery for between five and 12 years.

Finalist

Chapter One Childcare, Edinburgh

Criterion

Open to early years and childcare services that have built a high-quality staff team through good practice in recruitment and retention, training and career development.