Ever wondered what it really takes to keep the delicate balance of childcare recruitment and compliance in check? Forget the serene images of playful nurseries – behind the scenes, it’s a whirlwind of meticulous checks, urgent placements, and the constant hum of ensuring every child is in safe hands.
Join us as we peel back the curtain and dive into a day in the life of Emily, our compliance consultant at KiddyKare.
From dawn’s early calls to late-afternoon emergency shift requests, we’ll walk you through the challenges and unwavering dedication that defines this vital role. Get ready for a glimpse into the fast-paced world where safeguarding meets staffing, and where every detail matters.
Morning Routine
- 6:00 AM: Alarm goes off and the coffee goes on. Time to get ready for the day!
- 6:50 AM: Leave the house to warm up the car and set up a podcast for the journey, my current favourite is He Said, She Said.
Workday Begins
- 7:25 AM: Park up (same space every day of course!) and make my way into the office.
- 7:30 AM: Arrive at the office to join Jodi, normally turning the heating on as I walk past it. We start working on the emergency shifts and any staff sickness that have come in this morning.
- 8:00 AM: Another team member arrives which means it’s time for coffee and a quick catch up.
- 8:30 AM: Time to upload and contact all the candidates that have applied through the KiddyKare website overnight.
- 9:00 AM: Jen and Charlotte arrive, and we discuss what is happening with the permanent desk meeting: We will go through any new vacancies and adverts we need to create.
- 9:30 AM: Start update checks using the DBS portal and check the system for all processing DBS’ to ensure they are on track.
- 10:00 AM: Check in with the nurseries and schools, making sure they are happy with any confirmed bookings and to discuss any further gaps in staff rotas that may have occurred.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch time! We try and squeeze in a lunchtime walk (weather depending). This is usually the time I grill everyone on what they are having for dinner – food will always be my favourite topic of conversation.
Afternoon Tasks
- 1:00 PM: Back to the desk and time to check up on any emails that have come in over the lunch break.
- 1:30 PM: This is usually a quieter point of the day so during this time I create the ID badges and send out timesheets.
- 2:00 PM: The kettle is on again and it is time to check in with all of the new agency members who are signing up. I keep them in the loop about where their application is and ask for any missing information.
- 2:30PM: ID check – this is usually a time new members come to their ‘ID check meeting’ where I meet with each new team member to discuss the ethos of KiddyKare and to gain their right to work documents.
- 3:30 PM: Temp meeting with Jodi – we catch up with each other to discuss any queries and any outstanding shifts we need to fill.
- 3:45 PM: Time to pack up and head home – ready to start my podcast where I left off this morning
Evening Routine
- 4:30 PM: Arrive home and make a cup of coffee – ready to be on call for any last minute emergency shifts needed tomorrow.
- 6:00 PM: The phone is now off and it is time to unwind.
- 6:30 PM: Time to get dinner on and start the evening routine.
- 7:30 PM: Eastenders time!
- 8:00 PM: Unwind for the night – shower, Pj’s and TV catch up.
- 9:30 PM: Bedtime, ready to do it again tomorrow.
Author: Jodi Walden
