PURPLE POST - March 2026
Welcome to the March issue of Purple Post!
This month’s update is packed with brilliant progress across the business – from big wins in quality and compliance, to exciting developments in learning, customer experience and our software journey. You’ll hear from teams right across Parenta, with updates on new resources, refreshed tasks, upcoming course launches (including SEND), and how we’re strengthening our onboarding and customer journey.
We’re also celebrating a standout audit result (huge well done to everyone involved 👏), welcoming new starters to the Parenta family, and sharing more of the amazing feedback coming in from learners, employers and settings.
As always, this is about recognising the great work happening behind the scenes, keeping everyone in the loop, and building momentum for what’s coming next.
TEAM UPDATES
Sarah Ellis – Quality Manager
Huge congratulations to Ashley Greenough on completing her CAVA qualification. What a great achievement – well done!
Lisa Gooding – Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Manager
Across both teaching and EPA teams, we have been working on updating tasks and resources that link to:
- New exemplar POEs for EYP & EYLP
- New self-directed learner-led courses – built into OneFile
- Sessions linking to Sustainable Practice within Early Years for EYP & EYLP
We are officially launching the SEND course this month, and we are also developing CPD courses for DSL.
Layla Macfadyen - Training Advice & Guidance Manager
It’s been a busy and productive month for the team, and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.
First, a very warm welcome to Wahida – we’re delighted to have you on board! We’re excited for the experience and perspective you bring, and we’re looking forward to the impact you’ll make.
We have been heavily focused on the Matrix and the Audit over the past 2 months. It’s been fantastic collaborating not only within our immediate team but also with colleagues across wider departments. The teamwork, openness, and shared commitment to excellence have really stood out.
We’re also currently reviewing and enhancing our onboarding process to ensure it continues to reflect our customer-focused mantra. We aim to streamline where possible, strengthen consistency, and elevate the overall experience – while building on the fantastic IAG we’re already delivering, as reflected in the Matrix results.
Thank you to everyone for the continued collaboration, dedication, and positive energy. Excited for what’s ahead!
Rosie Presland – Customer Experience Manager
Customer Experience is kicking off a major revamp, revitalising our software and transforming how we support nurseries, guided by Allan’s book "Childcare Superhero: Transforming Your Childcare Business". We are repositioning Parenta as a partner in success. Jamie is leading the creation of an incredible customer course that turns the book into practical, confidence-building guidance on using our software – a huge step forward and fantastic work, Jamie.
Jo Wade – Head of MIS, Audit & Compliance
(A summary of Jo’s message posted in the Parenta Group thread)
We’ve received our PFA Mock Audit feedback and achieved a strong 1.2% error rate! The only error (£600) related to LSF claims made before learners had signed their support plans. We’re already fixing this to prevent future risk. This is a very low error rate for a TP - going over 5% would trigger a deeper investigation. Huge thanks to Lorraine White for getting all Training Plans compliant - without this, we’d likely have exceeded 5%.
Strengths
- Regular apprentice activity evidenced
- Strong compliance checks
- Fewer systemic issues than typically seen
High risk
- LSF claims made before plans were signed (systemic backdating risk). Although LSF is a small proportion of funding, the projected risk for 2025/26 is £16k–£32k.
- English & maths evidence gaps (historic) - missing or insufficient evidence of learning, particularly for withdrawn learners, creating recovery risk.
Medium risk
- English & maths delivery not always matching training plans (2025/26), and some learning completed outside paid hours.
- ILR start dates and enrolment evidence are not always aligned.
- Delayed ILR reporting of English & maths aims (underclaim and compliance risk).
- Price mismatches and rounding issues between training plans, ILR and EPA charges.
- Minor co-investment reporting discrepancies.
- Late payment of young apprentice incentives.
- Breaks in learning are not always recorded using the last evidenced learning date (risk to funding and QAR).
Low risk
- Some OTJ entries may be ineligible or too vague.
- Missing proof of EPA payment.
- Late signatures and limited audit trails on e-signatures.
Overall:
Processes are generally strong, but controls need tightening around LSF claims, English & maths delivery/evidence and ILR timeliness, and price/co-investment accuracy to reduce funding recovery risk and improve audit readiness.
"From Burn Out to Balance: Supporting and Retaining Your Early Years Team"
Tuesday 10th March, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
The early years workforce is under more pressure than ever.
Managers and their teams are being asked to do more with less - without losing quality, morale or heart.
If recruitment feels tougher, retention harder and staff well-being higher on your worry list, this webinar is for you.
⭐ Join early years experts Gemma Kirby and Caitlin Bray for a timely, practical and honest conversation about what’s really happening on the ground. ⭐
Don’t forget to remind your employers, learners and settings to register for this!
Learn more and
register here - don’t miss it and get a
CPD certificate if you attend!
Childcare & Education Expo 2026
We are once again exhibiting at the Childcare & Education Expo in London on March 20th and 21st. Richelle and Layla will be attending, impressing visitors to our stand with our unique offer to the early years sector. Photos and news of how it went to follow next month!
EXTRA! EXTRA! The testimonials and reviews keep coming in, and we’re so pleased to see such great feedback!
February's winner is… drumroll… Tonni Linton-Williams, Congratulations, Tonni! Enjoy your £50 Amazon vouchers.
Want to win up to £50 next month?
Share the love and you could win! Here are the all-important links:
https://bit.ly/MyParentaExperienceTrustPilot
https://bit.ly/MyParentaExperience
We're thrilled to share the fantastic testimonials we've been receiving from our learners, employers, and settings. It's truly heart-warming to see such positive feedback! While we'd love to list them all, there are just too many to fit! View more training and software testimonials here.
Nada B
"I have had a wonderful tutor throughout my apprenticeship, and I feel very fortunate to have had her support during my course. She is incredibly supportive, approachable, and always willing to go the extra mile to help me achieve my best..."
Fatemeh S
"I am currently studying at Child Care Level 3 in London, and I’m very happy with my tutor. My tutor is extremely supportive, professional, and kind. Whenever I contact her, she responds quickly and is always willing to help. She explains everything clearly and creates a great learning environment. I’m truly grateful for her support and highly recommend her."
Ogbunabi J
"Very Good, very explanatory, and it was nice working with my tutor, she made the course very interesting"
Aaliyah A
"My Tutor has supported me so much during this entire experience. I’m forever grateful for her, she really and truly deserves the world."
Well Done, Keep Them Coming!
Resources to help us, our learners, and our settings
We welcomed to our Parenta Family in February:
2nd - Sharon Hovis, Training
3rd - Geeta Mehmi, Sales
16th - Sabrina Parveen, Training
16th - Candice Perry, Marketing
23rd - Shelby Scott, Sales
23rd - Samantha Monaghan, Training
