Nursery World - In-House Training: Part 1

In the first of a four-part series addressing how to conduct training well, Anne Oldfield, an early childhood lecturer, and Sarah Emerson, an early years consultant, start with the groundwork for a good training session

Early years staff work long days. There may be an 8am start and 6pm finish. Given the need to maintain statutory staffing ratios, how and when does the busy supervisor schedule in staff training? Training sessions can take place at the beginning of the day when the setting has been closed, or for term-time nurseries, planned on a day before term begins. The reality for most nurseries is that sessions will be held at the end of the day. The team will be tired and hungry; those with family commitments have had to make special arrangements, some may want to leave part-way through. The temptation is to ‘get it over with’ as quickly as possible; everyone grabs a quick cup of tea, the manager rattles through a list of dos and don’ts and everyone goes home after half an hour sighing with relief that it’s all over for this term.

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