Old School House Day Nursery in Newmarket has developed a 'ladder of learning' to set out clear career paths for all its staff. The nursery offers a range of mentoring and induction systems and has set up its own training centre, Care to Learn Training.
The centre was established last year and now offers NVQs from levels two to four and bespoke training courses for nurseries and early years providers.
The courses are delivered nationally and to local colleges across Cambridgeshire. First aid and behavioural management courses are also offered to parents.
The Investors in People Champions award aims to recognise employers that have boosted the performance of their organisation through the way they manage and develop their employees.
Linda Baston-Pitt, proprietor of the nursery, said, 'We are very keen to develop the learning culture in nurseries. Our ethos is that our organisation is only as good as its people.
'The real benefit is for the children, because valued, trained and well-rewarded staff equal valued, stimulated and well cared for children.'
The Old School House nursery is one of 16 organisations across the UK awarded Champion status. The winners ranged from large businesses, such as the Nationwide Building Society, to schools including St Mary Magdalene Primary School in West Bromwich and South Farnham School in Surrey.
Announcing the winners, education and skills secretary Charles Clarke said, 'Employees are the nation's most valuable resource and the way they are involved and developed in a business can mark the difference between success and failure.'
Further Investors in People Champions will be selected on an annual basis.
For more information see www.investorsinpeople. co.uk or call 0207 467 1914.
