Why work for us? We have revised our pay scales for 2021 Acorn are passionate about making sure all our employees are feel valued and are rewarded for their tireless efforts in providing the best education and care for the children that access our settings. We recognise that in an undervalued sector, being ‘competitive’ is not fair or enough, that’s why we continually review and increase our payscales for all our roles, so our practitioners are fairly rewarded for what they do. Being a not-for-profit gives us an advantage, over other employers as we are able to use all profits to reinvest in our settings, training and pay for our employees. 2021 payscale Joining Acorn means joining a team dedicated to putting children first through ethical practices set up to develop and enrich the lives of every child who becomes part of the Acorn family. Our people are our values as they deliver the Personal, Professional, Nurturing, Outdoor Learning and Ethical approaches to early years we live by. There will be times when you may be required to transform into a dinosaur, become a racing car driver, take part in a fashion walk, open a restaurant, build skyscrapers, construct waterfalls, put on a show and most importantly snuggle when needed all whilst being you! So, if you want to be part of something extraordinary, be part of Acorn! View our latest vacancies If working part of a team whose priorities are delivering the highest level of care and education to every child wasn’t enough, when you join Acorn you will benefit from: Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually Childcare discount – nothing should be a barrier to your career Generous family leave – supporting you to support your family Christmas closure – Santa doesn’t wait for anyone 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more) – even superheroes need time off 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans – investing in you for the whole journey Enhanced pension scheme – not as far away as you think 😉 Life assurance – just for a little reassurance Flu vaccinations – it shouldn’t cost you anything to feel safe Recommend a friend scheme – we trust that if you love working for us, you’ll only bring the right people too Professional Development Grants – don’t let money stand in the way of your career Cyclescheme – helping you get back on the saddle Techscheme – making a brand new laptop a little more affordable Length of Service awards – time with us means treats for you Summer and Christmas parties – all work and no play is a myth Pay advances for when times are tough Employee assistance wellbeing programme – because you matter to us Investors In People Over the past few months the Investors in People auditors have been interviewing and surveying a cross section of the Acorn team ranging from nurseries to Central Support Office staff to give their feedback on what it is like to work at Acorn.We have been continuously accredited since 2000 and it is a requirement of Investors in People that we undergo a rigorous re-accreditation assessment every 3 years. We are very pleased to announce that we have successfully achieved IIP Accreditation once again. Based on 25 years of leading practice, the Investors in People Standard is underpinned by a rigorous assessment methodology and framework. This reflects the very latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry. Investors in People is an internationally recognised accreditation, held by 10,000 organisations across the world. Being accredited is a sign of our commitment to being a great place to work. Our accreditation is a huge team effort and it’s great to know all of staff are so proud of our organisation! Here are a few comments from our team members: “Everybody is like a family.” “I love the openness here.” “I like the idea that’s it’s a charity, it’s more personal and accessible for all children. An example is the £50 admin charge used to be kept but now it comes off their first months’ bill. There is no boundary for who can afford it.” “There is a lot of money for resources and I feel if it wasn’t for profit we wouldn’t have as good quality resources.” “We celebrated Divali and did glitter fireworks.”