Nursery workers preparing for new qualification deadline

Jan 23 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

NEW staff have joined Rosedene Nursery’s rapidly expanding Teesside team while others are undertaking some of the most advanced industry qualifications to ensure that they stay ahead of their game before new childcare rules come into place in 2010.

Two new members of staff have been recruited to work in Rosedene’s account department at Saltburn. Clare McCullagh is a qualified accountant and has been appointed as Rosedene’s financial accountant, and Angela Rowell has been recruited to work alongside Clare as an accounts clerk.

Joining the team at Rosedene’s nursery in Saltburn is Samantha Redford from Guisborough. Samantha is an experienced

childminder and has an NNEB diploma in nursery nursing

At Yarm one new post has been created to cope with a rise in numbers. Joanne Troy, from Seamer, has NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and has been recruited as a nursery nurse.

By 2010 all nursery school staff will need to have obtained basic NQF (National Qualification Framework) level.

However managers and deputy managers at Rosedene’s nurseries across Teesside are already exceeding the required level and going on to study for degrees and foundation degrees at the University of Teesside and Stockton Riverside College.

Rosedene has a longstanding reputation as one of the Tees Valley’s leading childcare providers employing more than 70 staff at nurseries in Yarm, Guisborough, Ormesby, Saltburn and Hemlington.

The group is owned and managed by husband and wife team, John and Clare McCullagh, who, confusingly, shares a name with her new accountant.

Mrs McCullagh commented: “Rosedene now caters for hundreds of children across the Tees Valley and one of our biggest priorities is recruiting and retaining the best staff to look after the children placed in our care.

“We are keen to encourage our team to obtain the most up-to-date qualifications as soon as they become available as it’s vital that we are ahead of our game before the new laws are introduced in 2010.”