Staffing and Recruitment

It’s that time of year when young people across the country start turning their attention to revision, exams and what they will do when they leave school, either after completing their GCSEs or higher exams such as A Levels and T Levels....

During May and June, over 5 million students in England will be taking their GCSE exams. Once they receive their results this summer, they’ll be considering what next steps to take for their careers. For some, this will mean starting an...

National Apprenticeship Week is now in its eleventh year and will take place from 5th-9th March 2018. During this very special week, employers and apprentices from all over England will come together to promote apprenticeships as a great way to...

With National Apprenticeship Week set to take place on the 5th March, we thought now would be the perfect time to shine the spotlight on apprenticeships. Find out more about how business apprentices can bring great benefits to your setting,...

Ofsted expects childcare practitioners to keep their knowledge up to date and strive to continually improve their practice. However, finding the time and money for staff training on a tight budget and an even tighter schedule means that this can...

With the NHS braced to face the worst flu season in history, now seems to be an appropriate time to start planning for the inevitable bout of staff sickness which is likely to affect UK businesses. In the event of that unexpected call from a...

The new apprenticeship funding rules, which were published in March 2017, set out guidance for all employers who plan to participate in a new apprenticeship programme this year. From 1st May 2017, the funding rules state that there is a...

Looking to fill a skills gap in your team? Have you ever considered taking on an apprentice? We spoke to our recruitment team here at Parenta to find out what top tips they'd recommend for employers looking to hire a new apprentice. Provide your...

In the year 2015/16, the Government recorded 131,000 apprenticeship starts in England for Health, Public Services and Care. This number has risen steadily every year from 2009/2010, when there were 44,000 apprenticeship starts. Apprentices can...

The number of students applying to university has fallen, according to official figures. UCAS data has shown that 25,000 fewer people have applied to start degree courses at UK universities and colleges this autumn, compared to last year. This...

How many times have you hired a new employee at your setting, only to find the following happens? They’re making too many mistakes They don’t understand what they’re supposed to do They’re underperforming If you find this is happening quite...

Even when you have hard working, passionate staff at your setting, some individuals may lack the drive to put themselves forward for their next childcare qualification. But staff training and development is not only essential to make...

One of the key factors for having a successful setting is to ensure that your staff are performing to the best of their abilities, both as a team and individually. We’ve put together a few steps to help you improve the performance of staff in...

With so much to juggle on a daily basis in your busy setting, the importance of staff training can be easily overlooked. However, holding regular training sessions can have a really positive effect on your team which goes beyond developing staff...

Early attachments are fundamental in helping children develop through the early learning goals, and some would argue that high staff turnover can have a particularly damaging effect on these attachments. When key members of staff decide to move...

Recruiting an apprentice is an effective way for businesses to grow their own talent, whilst also developing individuals who will fill future gaps in the workforce. However, by employing an apprentice, every business has responsibilities to meet...

With long hours and low pay a factor which drives many people away from working in childcare, what can you do to improve recruitment at your setting? We explore 5 ways to fill vacancies at your nursery more quickly. 1. Hold an Employment Open...

Regardless of the industry you work in, you’re more than likely to come across staff members who are not performing their role effectively. There could be a variety of reasons for this, including personal problems at home interfering with work,...

The first few weeks back after the Christmas break can be hard for many. With new targets to achieve and sometimes new staff members to integrate into the team, it can be difficult for staff to stay motivated. So, here are some top tips to help...

When writing a job advert, you should always think about what your ideal applicant might want out of the role. It helps to remember that an effective job ad is not just a description of the job – it’s a carefully crafted message with the aim of...

Christmas is a wonderful time of year – full of cheer, goodwill and sparkly lights. But, for businesses, it can have a hugely disruptive impact. With staff holidays to negotiate, as well as the consequences of adverse weather, there’s a lot to...