In our latest blog Chloie Babington, Nursery Manager at Sweet Peas Garforth, explains the importance of a good induction and provides top tips of success.
Because attracting and retaining top talent is a priority for every organisation, the induction experience becomes more than a formality – it sets the tone for everything that follows.
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) makes it clear that managers must support staff through induction, supervision, and appraisals. It requires all team members to receive induction training so they understand their role, including key areas like safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and what to do in an emergency.
A good induction helps everyone to feel valued, welcomed and supported
More than anything, I’ve learned that a strong induction matters to everyone. For us as leaders, it sets a clear starting point. People understand their responsibilities from day one, and we can feel confident that our children are being cared for in the way we expect.
It also helps us spot training needs early and makes expectations and standards clear, especially as these can differ from nursery to nursery. If they’re new to early years, induction helps new team members understand what their day-to-day will look like here. Even if they’ve worked elsewhere, they’ll still have questions and without the right support, that can make people feel unsure or even diminished.
Our induction is unique
At Sweet Peas, our induction is a little different. We don’t include new team members in ratios for their first week of employment, which isn’t the norm. They spend that week in one-to-one induction time with the leadership team, learning exactly what’s expected and how we do things, and we find out more about their skills too. I’ve seen how much standards can vary from nursery to nursery and it’s still common for new starters to be handed a folder of procedures and left to get on with it. We’ve chosen a more supportive approach.
The highest standards
We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards and not masking lower ones. Even in the small details, like cleaning tables, we’re clear about doing it properly: first with warm soapy water, then sanitising. The same applies to behaviour and accidents. We are open and honest with parents and share everything, rather than holding back to avoid complaints, which sadly still happens in some settings.
Learning by doing, not just reading
You can’t read something once and expect to be an expert. That’s why we use a “practice child” during induction, giving team members the chance to fill out accident and incident forms, locate healthcare plans and medication records, sign children in and out, and log meals and nappies. It also makes it more interesting and builds confidence in knowing they have done the right thing.
Sweet Peas bespoke induction
At Sweet Peas we have designed a comprehensive induction programme designed to build confidence gradually. During the first week, team members don’t go into the suites at all. Instead, they focus on understanding the setting, expectations and how we do things, all through one-to-one support.
Week one: strong foundations
The first week covers all the essentials, from safeguarding and policies to routines, systems, and compliance. It’s an intensive week and can feel tiring, but everyone tells us how valuable it is and that they couldn’t imagine starting in the suites without it. Team members also complete fully accredited CPD courses relevant to their role.
Weeks two onwards: confidence in practice
From week two, team members are supported by their suite leader, introduced to children and families, and guided through their responsibilities using a clear checklist. The focus then shifts to curriculum planning, their role as a key person and observing effective handovers, with regular feedback to support ongoing development. We then complete the curriculum section of induction so all team members have a deep understanding of the developmental outcomes we would like to children achieve in each Suite and how our routine and planning support this.
I’ve learnt a lot over the years
As the Nursery Manager at Sweet Peas Garforth for the last 9 years, I’ve learned not to assume everyone understands things the way I do. That’s why we use case studies and adapt how things are explained. I also realised I was unintentionally making people feel there was only one right way to do the job, which limited their creativity and even took some of the joy out of the role. Now I can’t wait to learn from others as well. Also a big change we’ve made is breaking training into smaller, manageable chunks.
A good induction contributes to staff retention and job satisfaction
A strong induction makes a real difference. New team members quickly understand what’s expected, feel valued and can hit the ground running. Poor induction is a common reason people leave, while a thorough one helps them settle in, build relationships and see that we’re investing in their growth. It sets the stage for long-term development and career progression.
My top tips for successful inductions
- Tailor to your setting – Every nursery has its own systems and language, eg when recording accidents, we use terms like “cold compress and comfort.”
- Use real examples – Practical scenarios make learning stick.
- Chunk the content – Break induction into manageable pieces and vary the format for different learning needs, like visual aids for dyslexia or screen-based resources.
- Give it time – Don’t rush – It can be tempting to rush new team members into the suites, but investing time pays off.
- Encourage questions – Create space for curiosity. Ask team members if they’ve covered everything they need to know and encourage them to speak up.
- Think long-term – A good induction sets the stage for growth, satisfaction, and strong team relationships.
Get in touch to learn more about how our new team members feel valued, welcomed and supported
- We’d love to welcome your little one to our nursery family
- Or if you would like to join our team, we are recruiting for both Rothwell and Garforth
- https://sweetpeasnursery.co.uk/join-us/ or call us on 0113 287 3388
