Nursery group Bright Little Stars has launched the Bright Little Stars Career Academy, which aims to provide training and a career progression path for every team member.

The academy is rolling out across London-based Bright Little Stars‘ six settings by the end of May. Each staff member will be part of one of six designated academies under the overall Bright Little Stars Career Academy and will have an annual Academy Training Plan.

The six academies are: The Apprentice Academy, The Key Person Academy, The Educator Academy, The CPD Academy, The Leadership and Enhanced Leadership Academy and The Management Academy. Every employee is automatically enrolled as part of an academy, based on current position or length of service within a position. Some employees may be part of more than one academy.

“The Bright Little Stars Career Academy was born out of a commitment to uphold high education standards and I am proud to have developed a clear strategy to enhance staff skills and overall happiness,” said Mandy Guttadauro, operations director. “We know the industry’s pressing need for well-trained and thriving teams to adapt to new government early years changes and we aim to lead by example with our practices.”

As part of the Bright Little Stars Academy every employee, from admin roles to early educators, will be given a clear professional development journey. This will include opportunities to extend knowledge and responsibility by becoming a mentor or buddy and take on additional roles such as Designated Safeguarding Officer and Therapeutic Behaviour Intervention Lead.

Staff will be able to gain Silver and Gold Awards by taking part in mandatory and optional training as part of their Academy Training Plan. There will be opportunities for employees to grow within their current role to increase their salary, and to develop professional skills to gain internal promotions.

Bright Little Stars is currently working on developing accredited management training courses.