Nursery World Awards 14: Initiatives - Team Development

This family-run business, which employs 33 staff, places the utmost importance on training and team development.

The nursery says its staff are its greatest asset in helping to provide an environment where children feel safe and are stimulated to learn, and in reassuring parents their children are in good hands.

Since April 2003, the nursery has held an Investors in People accreditation, which it has maintained, and in 2010, it achieved the Pathways to Quality in Tameside award.

Of Clockwork's 33 staff, one has achieved EYP status, three hold degrees and four are currently undertaking their Foundation Degree.

One day each week, the nursery's EYP also organises staff supervision and tracking tutorials.

The Ofsted outstanding setting also has 11 appointed SENCOs, including a lead SENCo. This means each room is staffed with a SENCO, ensuring smooth transitions from home to the setting and between rooms in the nursery for children with additional needs.

SENCOs meet termly to discuss training feedback and identify any future training needs depending on children's individual needs, strategies for children and support and feedback from outside agencies. The lead SENCO liaises closely with management, while supporting the other SENCOs within the setting.

Clockwork also has a lead language practitioner at the nursery who has undertaken two language programmes - Every Child a Talker and Chatter Matters.

The average length of service at the nursery is seven years. Key to its success is the focus given to continually training and developing staff, and having a clear staffing/pay structure that recognises and rewards achievement, and provides opportunities for promotion.

The nursery's low staff turnover also has a positive impact on the children in its care as they can make secure attachments, which helps with their self-confidence, self-esteem and continuing development.

All staff are expected to demonstrate a commitment to training to enhance the nursery's provision and outcomes for children.

Training needs are identified through appraisals and gaps in skills within teams in the nursery's skills matrix, which is reviewed on a termly basis. A training plan is completed each term with courses run by the local authority, local and national training providers, as well as in-house training.

Staff cascade the information they learn on a course to the team during staff workshops, which the nursery says are valuable opportunities to reflect on practice and improve their environment.

FINALISTS

The Hollies, Droitwich

Kidzone Cranwell, Lincolnshire

Seymour House, Essex.

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