Here are Little Elm's HR policies and procedures, for you to access whenever you need them:
Disciplinary
We encourage employees to adopt a responsible attitude at work to help us operate effectively, provide a high standard of service and maintain a positive environment for all.
The objective of this procedure is to set out the standards of conduct expected of all employees and to provide a framework within which our managers can work with employees to maintain satisfactory standards of conduct and to encourage improvement where necessary.
Grievance
We recognise that from time to time our people may have questions or problems relating to their employment. In this respect, our grievance procedure follows our legal obligations and is designed to encourage communication between employees and their Managers to ensure that problems arising can be aired and resolved quickly and consistently to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Absence & Employee Health
This policy outlines how Little Elms will address and manage health, sickness absence and to ensure employees are aware of the standards expected of them. The aim of the Absence Management Procedure is to strike a reasonable balance between meeting the needs of the nursery and the genuine need of employees to take occasional period of time off work due to sickness.
Flexible Working
We recognise that flexibility with working arrangements can provide benefits to both employees and the Nursery. We aim to support staff where possible to successfully achieve a balance between work and home life.
This policy sets out Little’s Elms approach to flexible working arrangements, which is in accordance with the ACAS code of practice and guidance on handling requests to work flexibly in a reasonable manner.
Harassment and Bullying
We believe that everyone has the right to work in an environment free from harassment and bullying.
No form of bullying or harassment will be condoned at work or outside of work if it has a bearing on the working relationship.
The aim of this procedure is to protect all Little Elms staff from any form of harassment and to provide support and guidance to help resolve any problems that may occur.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
We recognise that mental health is just as important as physical health. Little Elms believes that the wellbeing of our employees is the key to a healthy and happy workplace, which in turn will enable us to provide the best possible environment and outcomes for the children who attend our nurseries. Little Elms aims to provide initial and ongoing support and help for employees with mental illness.
Apprentices and Learners
We are passionate about providing Apprenticeships and opportunities for further education for existing employees. Little Elms works in partnership with education and training providers to ensure that our apprenticeships and learner programmes are standardised and compliant with legislation and best practice. Our apprenticeship and leaner programmes combine on the job training with nationally recognised qualifications.
Dress Code
The dress code at Little Elms is designed to meet Health and Safety requirements for children and staff working in playrooms.
Our dress code is also in place to help provide a professional appearance to our families who use our services.
Student and Volunteers
We are committed to sharing good practice with those wishing to pursue a career in childcare. We welcome students to join our staff team and gain work experience within our nursery. We will only offer placements to students/volunteers who are associated with a recognised child related course or to applicants who need to gain recognised childcare experience.
Leave Arrangements
We recognise that from time to time employees may need to take time away from the work place for a variety of differing reasons. When business needs allow, we aim to support employees to balance the demands of domestic and work responsibilities.
Maternity, New & Expectant Mothers
These policies set out our maternity policy and summarises the key statutory maternity rights. This policy aims to support working parents, enabling them to balance family responsibilities with personal career aspirations.
We are committed to protecting the health and safety of all new and expectant mothers.
Paternity
This policy sets out Little Elm’s paternity policy and summarises the key statutory paternity rights. This policy aims to support working parents, enabling them to balance family responsibilities with personal career aspirations.
Shared Parental Leave
This policy sets out Little Elm’s shared parental leave and pay policy and summarises the key statutory shared parental rights. This policy aims to support working parents, enabling them to balance family responsibilities with personal career aspirations.
Company Vehicles
When required and appropriate, Little Elms may provide, at the owners discretion, a company vehicle to carry out duties as required by the role. All company vehicles are tracked for safety and security purposes.
We expect all employees who have use of a company vehicle to drive responsibly at all times.
Safer Recruitment
At Little Elms we are vigilant in our recruitment procedures aiming to ensure all people working with children are suitable to do so. We follow this procedure each and every time we recruit a new member to join our team.
Staff Supervisions
We understand the value of regular and effective supervision opportunities for staff with their line manager. These offer opportunities to allow for open discussions which contribute to the continuous professional development of all employees, and by doing so, improving the quality of childcare and education we provide.