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Early Years – the organisation for young children has been handed Platinum Accreditation under Investors in People’s “We invest in people” programme. This is recognition for the organisation’s great work, including at SureStart South Armagh (which helps children in Bessbrook, Camlough, Creggan, Crossmaglen, Derrymore, Newtownhamilton and Silverbridge), Newry City SureStart, and Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre.
Investors in People is a major UK professional services body which helps businesses and organisations improve how they work, and provides accreditation for businesses that are working well.
It has assessed over 50,000 organisations over its 30-year history. Only two percent of accredited organisations have received Platinum Accreditation. The “We invest in people” award is recognition of Early Year’s commitment to developing its staff.
Early Years has also recently been shortlisted for the UK Employer of the Year award.
Early Years is one of only eight organisations in Northern Ireland to hold the prestigious platinum award!
This accreditation means that policies and practices for supporting people are embedded in every corner of Early Years; demonstrating high performance through effective people management, whilst always looking for ways to improve.
Early Years is a non-profit making organisation, working since 1965 to promote high quality care and education for children aged 0-18 and their families. Early Years is the largest organisation in Northern Ireland working with and for young children. It is a membership – based organisation, a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Board of Directors. Early Years currently employs 249 staff across Northern Ireland with offices in Belfast, Newry, Cullybackey, Lurgan, Trory and SureStart offices in Newry, Splash, Clogher Valley, South Armagh, Dungannon, Rainbow, Blossom, Star, Kilkeel and Arke.
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Early Years. Platinum accreditation on We invest in people is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Early Years in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people. Now in our 8th year, it always makes me feel immensely proud to see so many fantastic organisations staking their claim to be the best. And every year, the entries do get more and more competitive and the judging even tighter. Reaching the final shortlist is a testament to the amazing commitment this organisation is making to make work better for their people, and they truly deserve this recognition.”
Commenting on the award, Pauline Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to achieve the PLATINUM award for the first time, representing the enormous commitment to our staff team, supporting them to realise their potential. This award recognises that we are a high performing organisation and renews our focus and dedication to the children, families and early years providers we support across Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Commenting on what the award means for local staff, Anne Rice, Manager for Newry City SureStart said that local staff feel recognised and that their achievements across the area are acknowledged. She said the award reflects the commitment of Early Years to retaining and attracting a highly talented staff team in SureStart and across all services.
