A great company that feels like family - Nursery Manager Family First Nurseries Employee Review

As a Safeguarding Lead at Family First, I have had the opportunity to work within an early years organisation that genuinely places children, families, and team wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. Safeguarding is not viewed as a compliance exercise here; it is embedded into the culture and values of the business. One of the things I value most is the organisation's commitment to continuous improvement and investment in people. There is a real willingness to listen, reflect & strengthen practice, whether that is through training, leadership development, or creating opportunities for collaboration across teams. I have been fortunate to work alongside passionate and dedicated colleagues who consistently strive to achieve the best outcomes for children. The role itself is varied, rewarding & meaningful. There is strong support from senior leaders, and I have felt empowered to influence positive change, drive safeguarding initiatives & contribute to wider strategic developments across the business. I am proud to be part of Family First and to contribute to a culture that is focused on making a genuine difference to children, families and colleagues every day.

No organisation is ever perfect, and like any growing business there are challenges, but what stands out is the openness to learning and the commitment to doing the right thing. It is encouraging to be part of a team that recognises safeguarding as everybody's responsibility and continues to evolve and strengthen its approach. Family First is fast paced environment with changing priorities, although this also creates opportunities to influence and drive improvement.

A positive place to work with a strong can-do attitude. I feel valued and that my voice and opinions matter. Leadership moves quickly on smaller issues rather than allowing them to sit unresolved for weeks, which is refreshing. If something can be improved and will benefit the business, it gets done. There is strong investment in systems that genuinely support day-to-day work. The Support Office has a friendly and approachable culture—people are willing to help, responsive, and quick to turn around queries. It really feels embedded in the culture that “we’re all in it together.” FF also has a culture of championing teams and individuals, with regular ‘shout-outs’ to showcase successes. This comes across as genuine and not like a tick-box exercise. Quality and safety remain at the forefront of all company decisions and are clearly non-negotiable. This is evident at every level, from the CEO down. Overall, I’m very happy at FF. Having worked at other nursery groups, this one truly stands out above the rest.

None, really - it's a positive place to be.