Our Team

Retention and development

All of our team members are dedicated to the needs and development of the children in our care. All members have a minimum of either NVQ level 2 or 3 in childcare or an equivalent qualification. i.e. NNEB or B-TEC, with many having undertaken further study in areas such as child development, safeguarding, behaviour management and paediatric first aid amongst many others.

We pride ourselves in having a very low turnover of staff that is well below the sector average. Many team members have been with us for over 10 years, with three senior members each having over 20 years’ service with us. In addition to the formal qualifications needed and a love of children, all staff are chosen for their ability to work to very high standards and to integrate and work within a close and dedicated team. Newer members of staff benefit from the experience and mentoring of senior members, ensuring our high standards of quality care are maintained.

All our staff are first aid trained and undergo refresher training at least every three years. If children have special needs or disabilities that require medication during nursery hours, key staff are trained to administer this and to validate and record dosage.

Key Person

Staff are assigned to specific children and are then exclusively responsible for certain aspects of their care, including the planning, assessment, observation, evaluation and recording of children’s developmental needs and learning. They are also responsible for liaising with parents, keeping the child’s learning journal up-to-date, and meeting with each child’s parents to discuss their progress.

Your child’s key person is encouraged to get to know their children well, so they can pick up on any changes in behaviour or developmental issues. Any concerns are raised with the setting manager and the parents and additional support provided if needed.

Messy tray farm

Staff recruitment

Rigorous checks are made on all employees before they start work in our setting to verify their identity and suitability to work with children. Potential candidates are invited to apply for advertised roles in writing, then spend either a morning or afternoon in our nursery, during which time they are supervised by a senior member of staff at all times. On the successful completion of that trial, an assessment form is completed at a formal interview and if an offer is made, the candidate’s references are taken up and diligently checked.

All new staff go through our induction process which includes a health and safety briefing and introduction to the setting’s policies and procedures. DBS, (Disclosure and Barring Service) paperwork is completed and submitted and the new employee is not permitted to assist with children’s personal care routines until the disclosure has been verified and returned. All staff have a probationary period of at least three months, during which time their conduct is closely monitored by senior staff and any concerns quickly acted upon.

Our staff are important role models for the children in their care and we insist upon the highest standards of behaviour and personal hygiene.

Staff are not permitted to have their mobile phones with them at any time in the playrooms. We have strict rules on their use of social media.

All information relating to children and their parents are kept completely confidential and stored securely. Staff are not permitted to remove any such information from the premises, including children’s development records.

Leaders use evaluation well to identify areas of improvement. They offer staff regular support and coaching and provide clear ongoing feedback. This promotes good staff morale and improved staff practice, resulting in staff meeting children’s needs effectively.

OFSTED report May 2025

Staff management and performance

The manager carries out regular moderation through observations within the separate rooms of the nursery to look at good practice in areas including environment, curriculum, staff and health and safety. We then work on an action plan for any areas which need improvement.

General staff meetings are held regularly to disseminate information and share best practice. Staff appraisals take place annually when each individual’s performance is assessed and any training put in place that is needed or sought.

At Claremont we take any concerns serious. In the unlikely event of a complaint being made against a member of staff, the manager will fully investigate, following our complaints policy.

Parent partnerships are strong. Parents say communication is good, and they appreciate the daily conversations with their children’s key person. Parents confirm children enjoy coming to nursery and make excellent progress, especially in language and communication. Staff provide ideas of how to support children’s learning further at home by providing activity packs and books.

OFSTED report May 2025

Our ‘family of staff’

Our staff work as a team, mentoring and nurturing less experienced members, celebrating achievement and supporting one another in the care they provide. Parents often comment on the ‘family feel’ of our nursery setting and we believe our team player mentality is a major contributor to this positive atmosphere.

Staff and children at the park with the bus