3 Keys to Building a Great Childcare Staff: Keep it Fun. Invest. Engage.






3 Keys to Building a Great Childcare Staff:
Keep it Fun. Invest. Engage.



Chances are when a person starts a childcare business, they are not doing it solely for purpose of making money. Most people who own or work in childcare don't do it just for the money, they do it because they enjoy working with children and helping their community.

But, along the way, there comes the dreaded "business" part of running a childcare center and, of all the "business" issues that are front and center, staffing is the most important. I mean, after all, it is a "people" business.  Parents are buying into you and the people who will be caring for their children and, they can readily see which of your staff are in it for passion or just a paycheck.

However, the "reasons" people choose to work at a particular childcare center are not "fixed."  If a person made the decision to work at a childcare center because they were sold on the benefits, pay and, how "laid back" it is, that's exactly what they'll expect and, that's exactly what the center will get out of them.  If they make the decision to work at the center based on how fun it is, whether they can have a normal life and, whether they can trust the Owner/Director vision, they're more likely to contribute at a rate that benefits the children who attend the center.

In our line of business, we interact with lots and lots of childcare centers. So, we keep notes on centers pain points, policies and operating frameworks.  When we look at the centers that have maintained their staff the longest, have staff that appears knowledgeable and engaged and, speak highly of the center they work for, we have noticed 3 trends:


FUN TRANSLATES INTO PERFORMANCE

Gamifying the experience of working at your center can break the monotony.

Basic tools like crossword puzzle challenges seem to be effective.

Activities that allow the staff to express themselves stand out.



INVESTMENT PAYS OFF

Technology and policies that give your staff quality of life (time off?).  

Rewarding instantly and thoughtfully (gift cards?).

Creating policies that make staff loyal and show fairness.



ENGAGING STAFF

Sending out regular communications with e-newsletters.  

Being visible daily and do regular walk-throughs with feedback.

Acknowledging and implementing good suggestions.



These are just some of the methods we've noticed with centers we have interacted with. But, the 3 keys seem to be consistent: Keep it Fun. Invest. Engage. 







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