Staffing And Employment Policy

Statement of intent

We provide a high staffing ratio to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to guarantee care and education of a high quality. Our staff are appropriately qualified and are checked for criminal records through the Criminal Records Bureaux in accordance with CSSIW requirements.

Aims

To ensure that all children and their parents are offered high quality pre-school care and education.

Methods

  • To meet this aim we use the following staff ratios of adult to child:
    Children aged 3-7 yrs of age : 1 adult to 6 children
  • A minimum of 3 staff/adults on duty at any one time.
  • We use a key person system to ensure each child and each family has a particular member of staff for discussion and consultation.
  • We hold regular staff meetings to undertake curriculum planning and to discuss children's progress, their achievements and any difficulties which may arise from time to time.
  • We work towards offering equality of opportunity by using non discriminatory procedures for staff recruitment and selection.
  • All staff have job descriptions which set out their roles and responsibilities.
  • We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants will be considered on the basis of their suitability for the post, regardless of marital status, age, gender, culture, religious belief, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Applicants will not be placed at a disadvantage by us imposing conditions or requirements which are not justifiable.
  • Our staff all hold the NVQ level 3 in childcare and education or the Cache Diploma in preschool practice level 3 or an equivalent qualification.
  • We provide regular in service training to all staff - whether paid staff or volunteers - through Conwy Early Years Education Department.
  • We provide staff induction training in the first week of employment, this includes our Health and safety policy and procedures and child protection policy and procedures. Other policies and procedures will be introduced within an induction plan
  • We support the work of our staff by holding regular supervision meetings and appraisals.
  • We are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with all relevant legislation and best practice.

We use CSSIW guidance on obtaining references and criminal record checks through the Criminal records Bureaux for staff and volunteers who will have substantial access to children.

This policy was reviewed by J Heap and E Berry Feb 2013