Our company values

We're committed to creating nurturing environments where children flourish and our teams thrive. From championing wellbeing and celebrating diversity to maintaining the highest safeguarding standards and investing in future leaders, we unite as one team with a shared purpose - putting families first, every single day.

Wellbeing and engagement

We promote an environment where our people are excited to be at work, empowered to take ownership, and supported to thrive.

Wellbeing at the centre

Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Family First. Reaching and maintaining positive wellbeing for both children and our teams is a pinnacle part of our ethos. We are focused on developing robust wellbeing strategies and policies to lead best practice across all of our settings.

Wellbeing champions in every setting

To keep wellbeing at the top of our agenda, we place trained Wellbeing Champions in our settings. They provide additional tailored support while developing their own skills and knowledge. Our champions are guided by a dedicated Wellbeing Lead, who works closely with Nursery Managers to ensure everyone is supported and a positive environment is promoted throughout the company.

Supporting the whole person

We understand that life's stresses, whether physical, financial, or mental, can impact how we feel at work. We encourage colleagues to speak up, care for each other, and access the right support when needed. We also provide a wide variety of company benefits, perks, and opportunities for team building and Family First fun days out.

Inclusion, diversity and equality

We celebrate differences and unite together as one team, harnessing the best talent within a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Everyone matters

At Family First, we take great care to treat each individual as a person in their own right, with equal rights and responsibilities, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs.

No place for discrimination

Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within our nurseries. We create environments where everyone belongs, and everyone makes a difference.

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of all our children, parents, and staff is our number one priority.

Our teams

We take safer recruitment very seriously. All employees have an enhanced DBS check before they start, and we renew these regularly as an additional safety measure. We also require two written references and pre-employment health declarations.

Everyone completes Level 2 Safeguarding and Child Protection training annually, alongside Prevent Duty training. Room Leaders attend Interagency Child Protection courses, and Designated Safeguarding Leads complete Advanced Inter-agency training and attend six-monthly cluster meetings. Every team member holds a valid Paediatric First Aid certificate, refreshed every three years.

Our environments

Our nurseries have security systems to prevent unauthorised access. Door codes are never shared externally, and teams greet everyone at drop-off and collection to build relationships and be available for questions and support. Teams regularly assess risks, record all incidents, and monitor trends to ensure spaces remain safe and appropriate.

Our policies

Full safeguarding policies form part of every team member's induction. Our Employee Code of Conduct sets expected standards, promoting wellbeing, kindness, respect, and celebrating cultural differences. We build relationships with trust and integrity.

Supporting families too

Safeguarding children also means recognising when adults in their lives are struggling. We offer advice on parenting issues from weaning and sleep to behaviour and development, and can signpost parents to confidential specialist support when needed.

Our Future Leaders

We are committed to investing in our team's personal growth and development, creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential.

Investing in growth

We pride ourselves on investing in our people. When our teams grow, our children benefit. We help every person discover their talents and turn them into strengths, supporting ongoing development at every stage of their career.

Leadership programmes that make a difference

Our leadership programmes expand understanding of business operations and leadership within our nurseries. With a strong foundation in the EYFS, Ofsted, and Development Matters, individuals learn to create outstanding environments and develop the teams around them.

Our Leading with Purpose programme supports managers, deputies, and experienced leaders across six sessions, while our Aspiring Leaders programme helps practitioners take their first step into Room Leader roles across five focused sessions. Both programmes build confidence, practical skills, and a clear path forward.