Sally Grummitt finds that even the city's youngest residents can benefit from IIP

Working in the commercial fast track is not the only area which demands the best service for clients. For Kidcare Ltd., a not-for-profit organisation working for the Glasgow community since 1990, quality assurance is also a priority.

''Kidcare was established by two charitable organisations which have extensive experience and expertise in the development, provision and management of the full range of childcare services,'' said Kidcare chief executive Rita Hopper. ''This covers everything from pre-fives to after-school care.

''The quality of childcare is of particular importance to parents, especially to mothers wishing to return to or remain in employment, training and education.''

Managing six nurseries, two after-school clubs and a holiday play scheme, Kidcare is a community business. There are no shareholders and its eight directors, drawn from the two parent charities, give their time and expertise free.

Since 1990 the organisation has grown to employ 50 full-time and 24 part-time staff. Approximately 20 sessional staff work in its busy mobile creche, a facility which can provide childcare at seminars, conferences and events across Scotland.

''Much of the creche's work comes from repeat business and personal recommendation,'' said Hopper. ''But we also offer a consultancy service to clients seeking to establish childcare services. Kidcare's main aim is to tailor its services to meet client requirements.''

With such an extensive remit - and with the responsibility the business of child care brings - Kidcare realised the importance of persuading clients that its claims to quality were founded on something tangible.

''Kidcare has always provided an excellent service, but we wanted to provide potential clients with more than nice promotional material,'' said Hopper. ''We looked at available quality assurance awards in 1994 and lighted upon IIP.

''The company is totally committed to its most valuable resource - the staff. It's well aware that the standard of service offered is wholly reliant on a well trained, qualified workforce. What attracted us to IIP was the focus on staff and training.''

The road to accreditation did seem daunting, but IIP's structured approach to staff was ideal. The framework - which included staff appraisals and training - formalised the company's previously informal working practices.

It was a benefit that they system was not 'imposed from above'.

''A major plus for IIP is that all staff have to be involved with senior management,'' said Hopper. ''Everyone has a sense of ownership and achievement. While finding the time in already busy schedules to ensure all the evidence was in place was an obstacle, gaining accreditation was deemed important by everyone.

''We were all involved and well informed. Support from the GDA was invaluable - they provided patient encouragement and the whole team pulled together to tackle this task as a joint project. The outcome was a success.''

Kidcare became an Investor In People in December 1995 - the first Scottish childcare company to achieve accreditation first time around. Since then, it has doubled in size and many staff have HNCs in Childcare and Education.

Increased skills and qualifications have brought benefits to the company and employees, whose training needs are met either by in-house or external training courses.

''Client interest has increased as a result,'' said Hopper. ''In competing for contracts we can now support our statements of commitment to staff and training.

''This seems to please - our status is important to them, and we plan to maintain it. With the GDA's help, we are now working toward our reassessment in 1999. This does not mean we can simply provide evidence that the required standards are still in place, but that we will actually demonstrate ongoing improvement.''