Training and Development for Nursery Staff

The heart of every nursery is its staff. They are the ones who provide that nurturing, engaging, and safe environment where children thrive.

But how can you ensure that your nursery staff are always at their best? The answer lies in ongoing training and professional development.

In this blog, Nursery Story explores why investing in nursery staff training is crucial, and how to implement effective nursery training programmes that benefit everyone – from the children to the staff to the overall nursery community.

Why Nursery Staff Training is Essential

Nurseries are dynamic places. From ever-evolving early years frameworks to the latest health and safety regulations, staying up to date is no small task.

Here are just a few reasons why professional development for nursery staff is so vital:

1. Keeping Up with Best Practices Childcare is not a static field. New research, methodologies, and regulations are constantly shaping how we approach early childhood education. Ongoing training ensures that nursery staff are not only up-to-date but are also implementing the latest and most effective practices.
2. Building Confidence and Skills There’s nothing like knowing you’re doing your job well. Staff who receive regular training often feel more confident in their roles. Whether it’s learning how to manage challenging behaviours or improving their skills in fostering language development, ongoing training helps staff feel equipped to handle whatever comes their way.
3. Improving Child Outcomes It’s simple – better-trained staff means better care for the children in your care. When nursery staff are well-trained, they create environments that promote learning, growth, and emotional well-being. This leads to improved child outcomes, both academically and socially, which is what every parent wants for their child.
4. Boosting Staff Retention Investing in your staff’s professional development shows them that you’re committed to their growth and success. This, in turn, can reduce turnover, which is a common issue in the childcare sector. Happy, well-trained staff are more likely to stay with you for the long haul.
5. Meeting Regulatory Requirements The UK has strict guidelines for working in early years settings. Continuous professional development ensures your nursery stays compliant with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and other legal requirements, helping you avoid the stress of non-compliance.

Implementing Effective Nursery Training Programmes

Ongoing nursery staff training is essential, but how do you go about it? Here are some practical tips for creating an effective nursery training programme.

1. Start with a Needs Assessment

You wouldn’t jump into planning a nursery day without knowing what the children need, and the same goes for your staff training.

A thorough needs assessment helps you identify areas where your team could improve or gaps in their knowledge. This can be done through:

• Staff feedback: Ask your team where they feel they need more training or support.
• Observation: Watch how your staff interact with children, manage routines, and implement policies. This can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement.
• Performance reviews: Use these as an opportunity to discuss professional development and set goals for each staff member.

2. Offer a Mix of Formal and Informal Training

When we think of training, we often imagine formal sessions with a trainer, slides, and handouts. While these are essential, informal learning is equally valuable.

• Formal training might include first aid courses, safeguarding, or sessions on the EYFS curriculum.
• Informal training could involve staff observing more experienced colleagues, peer mentoring, or reading up on new techniques and approaches. Even a quick chat over tea about a recent challenge can turn into a valuable learning moment.

By blending these two styles, you ensure your staff are constantly learning without it feeling like a chore.

3. Utilise Online Resources

We live in a digital world, and there are fantastic online resources to help with professional development for nursery staff. Whether it’s webinars, e-learning courses, or even YouTube tutorials, staff can learn at their own pace and in their own time.

Some excellent platforms for early years training include:

• NDNA (National Day Nurseries Association) – Offers a range of e-learning modules specifically for nursery practitioners.
• Pacey (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) – Provides a variety of online training options, from safeguarding to play-based learning.

Using online resources also helps to keep costs down and makes training more accessible for staff with different schedules.

4. Create a Culture of Learning

Training shouldn’t feel like a one-off event. For it to be truly effective, it has to be woven into the fabric of your nursery’s culture. Encourage staff to share what they’ve learned with their colleagues and make time for regular discussions about best practices. This creates an environment where continuous learning is the norm.

Some ideas for fostering this culture include:

• Weekly team catch-ups: Dedicate time each week for staff to share any new insights or challenges they’ve faced.
• Create a resource library: Keep a collection of books, articles, and online resources that staff can access whenever they want.
• Celebrate achievements: When staff complete a course or training module, celebrate their success. Whether it’s a shoutout in a team meeting or a certificate on the wall, recognition goes a long way in motivating continued learning.

5. Follow Up and Reflect

It’s not enough to simply send staff to a training session and then forget about it. Following up is crucial. After training, check in with staff to see how they’re implementing what they’ve learned. Reflection is key to embedding new knowledge and skills, so encourage staff to think critically about how the training has impacted their work.

You might consider holding a follow-up meeting a few weeks after training to discuss:

• What went well?
• What challenges did staff face in applying their new skills?
• How can the nursery support them in overcoming these challenges?

Conclusion

At Nursery Story, we’re passionate about creating environments where both children and staff can thrive. Investing in nursery staff training and professional development is key to achieving this.

By offering a mix of formal and informal learning opportunities, using online resources, and fostering a culture of continuous development, your nursery can build a strong, confident team that’s ready to provide the best care possible.

After all, when your nursery staff grow, your children grow, too!