Staffing levels in the main nursery are maintained at a minimum daily ratio of five children to each member of staff. In reality, the staff levels are often much higher. Extra staffing during the day, including specialist teachers, childcare students/trainees and occasional volunteers mean that ratios are more often 4:1 or better most of the time.

 Qualifications are varied. While some staff hold the NNEB qualification, others are trained to NVQ level 2 or 3 in childcare. Our Nursery Manager holds several qualifications and is also our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). Staff members who have lesser qualifications are encouraged to study for higher awards.

Any unqualified staff members who are employed by us are required to take part in ‘In-house’ training courses, provided by us or by the local EYDP. One of our staff members is a qualified teacher, who is in charge of the delivery of our curriculum for our Pre-School group.

All staff are, during their time with us, trained in paediatric first aid by a recognised organisation such as St. John Ambulance or the British Red Cross. All staff members are trained in Child Protection and Equal Opportunity issues during their time with us.

All of our staff will be ‘Police Checked’ by the Criminal Record Bureau.

Other training opportunities, which occur throughout the year, include up to date information on Childhood Education, Special Educational Needs and Planning. Recent courses have included Makaton (sign language) of which several members of staff can now speak a reasonable amount. We aim to continue to extend this skill in the future and to continue to provide training opportunities for any new staff employed by us.

Details of training seminars and workshops organised by the Richmond’s Early Years Advisory Teacher or by other organisations are posted on the staff notice board and all staff are encouraged to sign up.

At least two members of staff attend the annual Early Years Conference organised by Richmond upon Thames Education Department, usually held in November. These cover subjects such as early mathematics, technology, science and language & literacy.

The Nursery Proprietor and Manager are qualified gymnastics instructors for the under fives and are registered with the British Gymnastics Association and we have 2 other members of staff who are currently undergoing this training.

Our philosophy at Whitton Day Nursery is simple – we are here not only to care for and to educate your children, but also to give them guidance, gentle discipline and good examples to follow - but most of all to give them ‘love’. With this in mind, you will find that all of the staff group are exceptionally friendly as good relationships with the families of our children leads to a trusting and loving relationship with the children – which is important for their personal and social development and for their education.