As a nursery owner or franchisee, your staff are the backbone of your business – shaping the experience for both children and parents. By investing in your people, you’re investing in a future filled with endless possibilities and meaningful impact.
Here at Banana Moon Franchise, we know that high-quality childcare and successful businesses go hand-in-hand with well-trained and happy teams that share your vision and values. With a proven framework and more than a thousand members of staff in our network, we’ve harnessed our 15 years of franchising expertise to create these top tips for attract – and keep! – the best talent.
Recruiting the right team
- Define your ideal candidate
Decide on clear criteria for the team members you need. Consider both qualifications and personal attributes – while certifications in early childhood education are important, soft skills like patience, enthusiasm and strong communication are just as essential.
Use this to write a clear job description and person specification, with as much detail as possible. Also, make sure your website reflects your values, training and career development opportunities.
- Use multiple recruitment channels
Knowing how to find the best talent is even more important amid the current staffing challenges the sector is facing. Think about the various channels you could use to advertise positions:
- Word-of-mouth referrals from existing staff
- Partner with local training providers and colleges offering childcare courses
- Job boards specific to childcare and education
- Local community social media groups
- Explore specialised recruitment platforms
At Banana Moon Franchise, we have our own bespoke recruitment platform with pre-written job descriptions that are ready to go. As well as encouraging our franchisees to use it to build their team, we also use it to hire a new nursery’s management team, ensuring the right structure is in place from day one.
- Conduct thorough interviews
Interviews should go beyond checking qualifications and technical (‘hard’) skills. Use behavioural questions to assess how candidates handle real-life nursery situations and how they would fit into your culture. Are they good communicators? Compassionate? Empathetic?
This works both ways – these interactions will also provide the candidate with valuable insight into your culture and values. Discuss your onboarding process to set new recruits’ expectations. And talking of onboarding…
Training for long-term success
- Implement a comprehensive onboarding program
New staff should feel welcomed, supported and confident from day one. Develop an onboarding process that includes:
- A tour of the nursery and introductions to the team
- Clear guidance on policies, procedures and expectations
- Mentorship from experienced team members
At Banana Moon Franchise, we have a thorough induction pack already written for all staff members. We also encourage nurseries to assign a dedicated mentor to new staff members to support them and help them settle in.
We’re also committed to developing careers through apprenticeships. Our partnership with Eden Training Solutions helps apprentices develop their confidence, have hands on experience and gain a qualification.
- Provide ongoing professional development
Proactive training leads to a positive team culture, which in turn leads to higher staff retention, a more nurturing and stimulating environment for children, stronger relationships with parents and increased trust in your nursery. What’s more, enhanced regulatory compliance and a positive reputation that attracts new families and helps grow your nursery.
While first-aid and safeguarding training is compulsory, you could consider offering:
- Regular workshops on child development and safety practices
- Leadership development for those interested in career progression
- Bespoke support plans to help teams succeed
We know the success and development of our franchisees’ businesses don’t stop once they’ve been onboarded. We launched our very own Banana Moon Training Academy in 2024, which offers industry-specific virtual training, bespoke in-person sessions and group events at our franchise headquarters – at no extra cost to our franchisees.
- Encourage a positive team culture
A strong team is built on trust, respect and collaboration. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your training initiatives by seeking feedback from your team and stay updated with industry trends and best practices to ensure your team remains skilled and motivated.
Nurture a positive work environment by:
- Encouraging open communication and feedback
- Organising team-building activities and social events
- Providing well-being support services, such as an employee assistance programme
- Recognising and rewarding staff achievements
Each year, Banana Moon brings together our community of nurseries for our annual awards evening: The Midnight Moon Awards. The night is a special event where every member of the Banana Moon network is celebrated, from the franchisees, all the way through to the apprentices who have shown incredible potential on their training journey.
What’s more, as part of our commitment to supporting mental well-being, we provide a BUPA Employee Assistance Programme to all employees, through Citation Professional Solutions.
The building blocks for success
Hiring and training the right staff is one of the most important investments you can make as a nursery owner or franchisee. By carefully selecting passionate individuals and providing them with ongoing support and development, you can create an inspiring environment where children, staff and your business can truly flourish.
At Banana Moon, we’re on a mission to be the leading franchise in the early years sector. As well as our comprehensive support at franchisee level, we understand the staff within our network each bring their own unique qualities and personal journey.
Our clear framework ensures that everyone benefits from continued training, support and a clear pathway for professional growth – making them feel valued and ultimately helping our franchisees offer the children and families the highest quality care and education.
