Induction Process

Once you have formally been offered a position, to ensure your suitability to work with children you will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, should you not already be on the update service. You will also be required to send all other relevant documentation that has not yet been provided, including two references (one from your most recent employer), photo ID, and qualifications.

Here at School of Play, we focus a lot of our efforts on creating a family atmosphere within our community, so it is important that any new team member feels welcome straight away. Following asuccessful interview and trial process, you will be invited to lunch with our founder, Ryan. They will discuss the organisation’s purpose, vision, and values and ensure you understand what is expected of you and what you can expect from us as an employer. They will also get to know you personally and answer any questions you may have about your new role (don’t be afraid to ask them anything).

Message from our Founder

“I believe our team are the most important asset we have. Together we have built a strong culture full of individuals who are always eager to learn new skills and develop professionally and personally. This consistent ‘high-performance’ approach has enabled us to deliver exceptional care to our children day in day out. We ask all new team members to buy into our ethos of over-delivering to everyone within the community, whether it’s parents and children, or our colleagues and schools. We look forward to welcoming you to our School of Play family, and we are excited to watch you grow with us in the coming years.”

Once all your documentation has been provided, and suitability checks have been complete, your employment contract will be prepared and signed ahead of your first day.

Although some of you may be camera shy, a vital part of our induction process is getting a professional photograph taken for our website and marketing material. Our parents need to know as much information as possible about the team responsible for looking after their children, so providing a high-quality image of each team member is crucial. You will be booked in with our photographer at Timeline Photography MCR within the first couple of days of accepting a job with us.

For our parents, colleagues, and schools to understand as much information about each member of our team, you will be required to write a short biography, your aim for School of Play and an interesting fact about yourself. You can see information about our current team here.

Once your contract has been signed, you will be required to complete the following courses:

• Paediatric First Aid (we require our team to update every 2 years)
• Safeguarding Children and Young People
• Food Hygiene Course
• Manual Handling
• FGM Awareness
• Prevent Radicalisation

Should you already have up-to-date certification in any of the above, you will not be required to retake the course until your current certificate is out of date.

You will be asked to complete a short team questionnaire before your first day with us. This will enable your setting manager and our founders to get to know you personally and ensure you settle into your new role as quickly as possible.

Our induction day is tailored to ensure that you receive personalised attention and thorough preparation for your role. Led by our office manager, the induction begins with an in-depth exploration of our operational systems.

Alongside your dedicated team leader, you will delve into the intricacies of your assigned shifts, company policies, and procedures, providing a comprehensive understanding of our daily operations and expectations. This focused approach not only ensures alignment with our standards of excellence but also cultivates a sense of belonging and purpose within our team from the outset. As you embark on your journey with us, you can be confident in your readiness to contribute effectively to our mission of providing exceptional care, education, and physical development to the children we serve.

After your first month in employment with us, your setting Team Leader will provide a 4-week evaluation of your performance and ask questions on some important topics. Don’t be scared by the word assessment; this will be questions that have all been answered throughout your first month of employment.

During this time your suitability for the role will be assessed by your Team Leader and a decision will be made at the end of this period as to whether we feel you are suitable for the role. We would also encourage you to think about whether we are right place for you.