An induction should be an ongoing, in-depth process - not just an hour running through policies and procedures when the new staff member first joins.
The primary purpose for staff induction is to ensure that the children in your care are safe and well looked after. The preparation for induction starts at the interview stage. Many settings now do 'working interviews' where the candidate spends a few hours or a morning in the setting working alongside staff. Notes should be made at this stage of areas where the new member of staff may need extra support.
TWO-WAY PROCESS
The induction session should be well planned and timetabled for the first day that the member of staff joins the setting. A pre-prepared induction pack is essential to ensure that everyone starts with the same policies, procedures and internal paperwork (such as holiday forms and staff medication forms). The session should be in a quiet area and preferably with no interruptions. The manager, or person conducting the induction, should explain that this is a two-way process, encouraging questions from the new member of staff. In addition, other staff should be aware that a new member of staff is starting and may need support.
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