Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in joining Kids 1st Nurseries.

Helen McArdle is the Founder and Chairman of Kids 1st Nurseries and she started the company with a strong vision; she firmly believes that all children deserve the very best start in life. At Kids 1st we achieve this by providing the very best care and education for the children in our nurseries and this is delivered by a highly trained and motivated workforce.

We are looking for people who can carry this vision through with passion, commitment, enthusiasm, pride and a genuine love of children.

As a family-run business Kids 1st prides itself on taking a personal touch with staff. We are understanding of the pressures of modern day living and you can expect first class support and opportunity; however we demand high standards from our employees in return.

As an employee of Kids 1st you will be offered extensive opportunities to progress your career with training, development and promotion. All of our nurseries have been purpose-built and are maintained to the highest standards, ensuring that you will be working in a high quality and well cared for environment.

At Kids 1st we are always on the lookout for rising stars and if you show the commitment and enthusiasm that we require there is no reason why you can't excel within our company.

If successful during the selection process you will be required to provide two references and completion of an enhanced CRB check prior to commencement of your employment.

What you can expect as an employee of Kids 1st.

On your first day you will be assigned a mentor to help you feel supported during your first few weeks of employment. Your probationary induction period will last 12 weeks.

A uniform will be provided and must be worn. Staff are required to adhere to the following;

•Visible body art to be covered.

•No visible body piercings except for a stud earring in each ear.

•No extreme haircuts or hair colour.

•No jewellery to be worn with the exception of a wedding ring.

•Flat comfortable shoes to be worn indoors.

All our staff are encouraged to undertake extensive training over and above the statutory requirements. It is part of your conditions of employment to attend statutory training. All relevant training is free. Supervision sessions take place periodically with your Line Manager, during which time your welfare and progress will be discussed. You will also receive an annual appraisal to allow you to discuss and document your ongoing personal development.

Employee Benefits

Our employees are very important to us and to recognise and celebrate their contribution to the business we provide the following benefits;

•Free uniform

•Complimentary magazines

•Complimentary Fruit Cordials

•Cookie Friday (homemade cookies every Friday)

•Employee Discount scheme

This list is not exhaustive and other benefits are available from time to time.

A Family Fun Day is held every year during the summer at Newcastle Racecourse for all our staff and their families. The whole day is subsidised by the company and is lots of fun!

Once again thank you for your interest and good luck with your application!

Yours sincerely

Mark McArdle

Managing Director

Kids 1st Day Nurseries

Staff Application Form

Please complete using black ink and block capital letters.

Please ensure all sections of this form are completed.

Post Applied For: ______
Preferred Nursery:______
Please indicate your preferred hours of work:
Full Time(40)______Part Time: ______Supply (as and when): ______
1. Personal Details
Title: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms* Surname: ______
First Names: ______
Address: ______
______
Post Code: ______
Telephone No - Home: ______Mobile: ______
Email address: ______
Present Post held: ______
Present Salary: ______
2. Equal Opportunities
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and appoint staff solely on ability to do the job. To enable us to monitor our equal opportunities policy, please indicate your ethnic origin below.
*African / Afro Caribbean
Indian
Chinese
White
Pakistani / Bangladeshi
Other: ______
This information is for monitoring purposes only and will be treated in confidence.

How much time have you taken off work this year due to illness? ______

Please give dates of absence from and to and explain ______

______

Safeguarding Children is our Priority

Do you hold a valid DBS Enhanced DisclosureYesNo

Do you have any criminal convictions/cautionsYesNo

If yes please give details:(Please continue on separate sheet if necessary)

______

______

I understand that if I hold an enhanced DBS Certificate I will be required to give my consent for Kids 1st to access this information as part of their recruitment process.

I understand that if I am successful in my application and do not hold an enhanced DBS certificate, Kids 1st will apply for this on my behalf and meet the cost. This will be deducted from my first month’s salary.

To the best of my knowledge and belief the information given above is correct. I understand that if I am appointed and if the information I have provided is incorrect, I will be liable to dismissal.

Signature:______

Date: ______

4. Education & Training

A. General
Dates From/To / Schools / Examinations passed and grades achieved
B. Further Education
Dates From/To / College/University / Examination passes and grades achieved
C. Professional Qualifications
Please list any professional qualifications or membership of professional organisations
Date Obtained / Where Obtained / Qualification
D. Training Courses
Please give details of training attended
Course Title / Details
5. Career to Date.
Please list your employment history during the past 10 years, beginning with your present post, or most recent employment. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Dates From / To / Name and Address of Employer / Position Held
Brief Description of Duties / Reason for Leaving
6.In support of your application please explain why you feel you are the right person for this position:
7. References.
Please nominate two referees, one of whom must be your present Employer. If unemployedthe referee must be your most recent employer. (Please specify if you do not want us to contact them prior to interview.)
  1. Present or most recent employer
Title: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms* Surname: ______Initial: ______
Contact Address: ______
Post Code______
Telephone No: ______
Email address ______
Referee’s Position Held: ______
Contact prior to interview? *Yes *No
______
2. Other.
Title: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms* Surname: ______Initial: ______
Contact Address: ______
Post Code: ______
Telephone No: ______
Email address ______
Position Held: ______
Contact prior to interview? *Yes/No
* Delete as applicable

Name of applicant ______

To my knowledge and belief the information I have given regarding myabsence from work, criminal record, education and employment are correct. I understand that if I am appointed and the information I have provided is proved to be incorrect, I will be liable to dismissal.

Signed ______Date ______

Please return completed form to:
Allison Winship – Head of Childcare
Kids 1st Day Nurseries
Keel Row 12
The Watermark
Gateshead – NE11 9SZ