Have you given much thought lately to how people learn? Let’s look at an example: You are trying to teach a child to button, zip and tie when getting dressed. Three challenging tasks depending on a number of circumstances: Age Command of small motor skills Attention span Interest and motivation in achieving the
Category: Empowered Staff
The Ying & Yang of Empowering Child Care Staff
I’m a really strong advocate of empowering child care staff members. The more empowered your staff is, the more successful your business can be. But empowering child care staff is a bit tricky! You must empower enough – but not too much. You must direct the empowerment – and contain it.
Employing Highly Motivated Staff Who Are Truly My TEAM Members!
Employing Highly Motivated Child Care Staff Who Are Truly My TEAM Members! Just where are all the “workers”? Every industry is experiencing huge turn-overs and staff shortages, and yet I can name at least ten people (without even thinking hard) who say they are “looking for a job”. So, about the ones who
Six Tools for Child Care Professionals to Improve Communication in Your Center
Six Tools for Child Care Professionals to Improve Communication in Your Center Are you wishing I was going to give you SIXTY communication tools, and not just six? I don’t blame you. Communication is always the number one problem …. well, probably in the world. But certainly in any business. Adults are the root
Have You Ever Wondered How to Motivate Staff Members Who Don’t Want to Be Motivated?
On a scale of 1-10, how hard do you work to motivate your staff members? Sometimes a 10? Sometimes a 7? Sometimes a 2? Sometimes 15? Have you come to the conclusion that sometimes it doesn’t matter if it’s 150 – the employee just RESISTS all of your efforts? Ugh! So frustrating, right? I guess
Be All That They Can Be
As child care professionals, and teachers, our goal is to creatively craft information and experiences for our children. We must engage them, nurture them, assist them, motivate them, applaud them, and encourage them to grow, flourish, and become all that they can be. Tall order! But that is our passion. That is what we
The Value of GREAT Communication in Your Child Care Center
Communication is the: Easiest component to mess up Most difficult component to do correctly Hardest component to fix Most necessary component in order to succeed. Communication is the foundation, the walls, the ceiling, the refrigerator and the couch of every relationship. Without great communication …. you’re in trouble! We all take communication for granted. We
What Is the Gain from Employee Professional Development?
Let’s look at what the employees gain, and what you gain: Employees… A day away from regular duties and often a free lunch A day to really think about their job without having to also perform it. An opportunity to consider individual skills that they need to perform the job. Training in information and/or skills
How Can You Determine if the Professional Development You Are Offering…Worked?
How Can You Determine if the Professional Development You Are Offering…Worked? At first glance, it seems that it is getting easier and easier to efficiently and even economically “train” people in our workforce. In addition to bringing in a firm to conduct on-site training, organizations can opt for staff to receive training at conferences
Who Needs Professional Development and How Much Do They Need?
Is professional development only for professionals? I think the answer is YES. How do we define “professional”? I would define “professional” as anyone assigned to do a specific job that needs to be completed and done well. That really defines every job in my mind! Two important questions should come to every employer’s mind ANNUALLY:
Success Strategies: Employee Incentives That Work
Great employees are the backbone of every great organization. We spend considerable amounts of time and money to attract and train people to become and remain “great employees”, but what incentive will it take to keep them? Is it money? Is it benefits? Is it the same for all? The following are the thoughts of
Lost in the Shuffle: How Did This Happen?
Is there a child who is lost in the shuffle in your child care program? You have a group of only six children, and there are two staff members to care for this group. It seems like one adult should be able to give lots of attention to three children during the day. But then
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success (Part 4 of 4)
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success for Child Care Directors (Part 4 of 4) Employee evaluation should be a valuable exercise for both employer and employee. Five key elements to successful employee evaluation include: Set the Expectation Evaluate Regularly Use Appropriate Communication Provide Training Exhibit a Positive Attitude This section (Part 4) will examine the final two
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success (Part 3 of 4)
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success for Child Care Directors (Part 3 of 4) Employee evaluation should be a valuable exercise for both employer and employee. Five key elements to successful employee evaluation include: Set the Expectation Evaluate Regularly Use Appropriate Communication Provide Training Exhibit a Positive Attitude This section (Part 3) will examine the third, and
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success (Part 2 of 4)
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success for Child Care Directors (Part 2 of 4) Employee evaluation should be a valuable exercise for both employer and employee. Five key elements to successful employee evaluation include: Set the Expectation Evaluate Regularly Use Appropriate Communication Provide Training Exhibit a Positive Attitude This section (Part 2) will examine the first
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success (Part 1 of 4)
Employee Evaluations – Step by Step Success for Child Care Directors (Part 1 of 4) Do you hear the words “employee evaluation” and get a sick feeling in your stomach … even though you are the one doing the evaluation, not getting it? Most employers do. Evaluating an employee, and then sharing the evaluation with the employee,
Motivating Child Care Staff – It’s Really Pretty Easy!
A Thank You Goes a Very Long Way when motivating child care staff! You just can’t argue that being a child care worker is very hard work. At the end of a day, it would be so nice to have someone tell you, “Thank you. Good job today!” When owners and managers are struggling for
Not Just a Child Care Worker – Special Jobs for Special People
We typically hire several people and give them the same job title…for example, Child Care Worker. But does this mean that every one of these people should be doing the exact same tasks? Probably not. While all should be able to care for the children, each staff member has a special skill or talent