Carers

Are all your carers police-checked?
Yes. All carers are required to undergo an enhanced police check, we also seek permission to contact their G.P as well as apply to Ofsted for a health declaration to show they are suitable to work in a childcare environment

Will the same carer look after my child continuously?
Our carers work on a shift basis, which means that sometimes you will see different carers when dropping off and collecting your child. As your child progresses to the next age group, they will visit the room to get to know their new carers prior to moving to the room on a permanent basis.

What qualifications are your carers required to hold in order to work at Happy Times?
We employ a minimum of 50% qualified carers with an NVQ qualification at level 2 or 3 or equivalent (e.g. B-Tec national, NNEB). All our unqualified carers are given the opportunity to train for a qualification as part of our on-the-job training scheme.

What is your staff turnover like?
Many of our carers stay for years and progress within the organisation. Inevitably some of our carers move out of the sector. The majority who leave do so to start their own families.

Do you employ temporary staff?
We only employ temporary staff as a last resort. This is usually when we are unable to cover a carer's absence due to illness, or a gap between one carer leaving and finding a suitable replacement. These temporary members of staff have been police-checked and are qualified nursery nurses.