Knowsley Local Authority describes how issues with recruitment and retention within the early years sector led them to introduce an “Aspiring Leaders Programme” which has so far been introduced to three cohorts where it has been positively received.
In addition to the information being received nationally, from childcare sufficiency vacancy information requests and through discussions at Knowsley Local Authority service review meetings, it has been identified that there are significant recruitment and retention issues within the childcare sector.
As part of the wider workforce strategy, there is the promotion of working within Early Years as a career with the aim to attract more people into the sector (Do Something Big). It has also been identified that there needs to be further training for prospective or current managers in settings, to equip them to become effective leaders and managers and to demonstrate that there is a career path to support growth.
In response to this need, a proposal was shared and discussed with Local Authority Early Years managers in September 2022, and it was approved for implementation to deliver an “Aspiring Leaders” programme. Through discussions with a range of officers across Knowsley Early Years the following topics were identified:
- Being an effective leader
- Statutory requirements - EYFS including SEND Code of Practice
- Communications and Marketing and Parent Partnership
- Business Planning
- Equality, Diversity and Unconscious Bias
- Funding including EYPP and DAF
- Systems.
Knowsley Early Years has now delivered the programme three times over a three-year period with changes made following each cohort and an evaluation completed. The main change was moving from a virtual programme to face-to-face which had a huge impact on engagement.
Across all three cohorts, (nine attendees at each) everyone rated the programme as either very good or excellent, and all would recommend to a colleague.
Baseline assessments were completed to reflect knowledge before and after accessing the programme and all attendees saw an increase across all aspects with the biggest impact within the Business Planning session.
Comments across the cohorts from attendees when reflecting on what they have gained included:
- Confidence within their abilities as managers, leaders, or deputies.
- Greater understanding of business elements including funding and marketing.
- Information and ideas to enhance their roles and responsibilities.
- Developed understanding of the difference between a manager and a leader.
- Refreshed knowledge across a range of subjects.
- Felt very comfortable to talk in an environment which was new to me where lots of others knew each other. Thank you.
- As my knowledge of funding is now greater, I can use this knowledge to help parents, rather than me passing them on to my admin.
- Information about how marketing can be useful for recruitment, not just attracting families and children.
- Loved to listen to the gathering of other people’s ideas on how to help your team bond and work better together in order to achieve the best results.
- I was very happy with the course; I learnt a lot and hopefully will use this to continue on my journey, thank you very much it’s been a pleasure and a lot of fun with everyone.
- I really enjoyed all three training days everyone was so welcoming and lovely, and I have gained knowledge that I will be bringing back to my setting
- I loved how honest everyone was in regard to their own personal issues they have faced, and it taught us we should never judge anyone for any reason.
To continue the impact of the programme, a fourth cohort is in development. Networking between the previous cohorts is being explored alongside a coaching and mentoring project led by a Knowsley Early Years Quality and Development Officer.
December 2024