Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Hiring

    Posted 09-24-2018 12:17 PM
    Our center is currently looking for staff members.  We are constantly running into roadblocks with applicants not answering for phone interviews, not responding to email requests for interviews or even showing up for the on-site interviews.  I don't want to rush hire and end up with the wrong person in the classroom.  We try to find the best possible candidates for the positions. More and more we are running into applicants that don't realize working with children is difficult and not just playing.   We use Indeed, Care.com, Craigslist and just started using Facebook to advertise positions.  If anyone has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

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    Cynthia Bohrer
    Kids International Early Childhood Education Cente
    Ellisville MO
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  • 2.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 12:21 AM
    I've heard good things about Ziprecruiter!

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    Topher Rasmussen
    YWCA utah
    Salt Lake Cty UT
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  • 3.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 12:28 AM
    Finding qualified teachers are very difficult. Have you tried posting position with colleges that offer early childhood degree. Posting with colleges are usually free.

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    Massie Hazegh
    Rch Cucamonga CA
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  • 4.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 12:33 AM
    In the past, we've posted at college campuses nearby- especially colleges with Child Development majors. We've run into the same roadblocks with no-shows and it's frustrating. Know that the right teacher will come- just try to be patient (I know that's easier said than done when you're trying to maintain ratios and fill positions)! Best of luck!

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    Sara Fox
    Assistant Director
    CrossRoads Children's Center
    Simi Valley CA
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  • 5.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 06:20 AM
    It is happening everywhere, not just in your area, and not just in child care. It just feels like it hits more in our area because we have regulations/ratios to uphold. We live in a time where people don't want to work and/or don't have to work. I don't have the answer. I have taken training on Recruiting and retaining staff, and I learned some things that allowed me to change how I do our hiring process, but getting them to even apply and walk through the door is a whole nother problem!!!!! I am not sure what sector you are in or what your ad looks like, but try to make it appealing.... Ex: Not nights or weekends, a place to work where there is never ending love, opportunity for growth and professional development, etc. 

    Hope this helps, and if you find the answer...PLEASE LET ME KNOW! ;)

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    Brooke Hastings
    Kendallville IN
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  • 6.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 08:03 AM
    We are also looking for a quality staff. It does seem to come down to wage when we find people with the qualifications. We are a small center and struggle to offer a desireable hourly wage. Our recent strategy is to offer a higher pay for key positions such as our morning pre-k lead teacher working 4 hours a day. I have resorted to less qualified (but hopeful) staff for the afternoon. The plan is to groom these staff members with trainings and on the job experience to be our future quality staff. Getting these staff members enrolled in college is the ultimate goal. It's just the beginning but I am feeling some stress relief with this plan. I have been fortunate to find many of these staff from our families with older children and aqaintances  looking for employment. We have had some success with online services but find these applicants are looking for a higher pay from the positions they are currently employed.


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    Cynthia Tortolano
    Director
    Tiny Town of Lansing, Inc.
    Lansing IL
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  • 7.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 10:39 AM
    Thank you so much for all of the input.  We just posted on ZipRecruiter this week.   We have tried colleges in the past, rarely any luck there.  I sent postings to all of our part time college students.  I will keep you all posted.

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    Cynthia Bohrer
    Kids International Early Childhood Education Cente
    Ellisville MO
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  • 8.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-26-2018 11:11 PM
    One of our biggest challenges to find quality staff is the school system. With public schools competing for the same staff as Ceters it is very hard to find what you need. If you are under the Department of Education you do not follow the same rules as a Center. It makes it a very unfair playing field.  This has been a new challenge for us in recent years.  Our local public school has opened over 100 preschool spots this year.   One approach I have seen work is a Center has offered their staff a finders fee for anyone they bring in for hire.  This has worked out well for them.

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    Melinda Wardle
    Danville IN
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  • 9.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-25-2018 05:23 PM
    The suggestions so far are great.  It's too bad that advertising at colleges hasn't worked for you.  I don't think that many centers here advertise on Craigslist any more.  It seems to bring too many applicants without any experience or early childhood education.  Have you tried idealist.org and school spring.com?  Good luck--you're describing a common issue.

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    Aren Stone
    Child Development Specialist
    The Early Years Project
    Cambridge, MA
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  • 10.  RE: Hiring

    Posted 09-26-2018 11:25 PM
    Our preschool has the same exact problem! I actually got some ideas from this post, and am going to run them by our director. We are down half our staff. It's rough, and we're all working major overtime. We're in the same boat needing people, but not wanting to fill rooms with warm bodies anymore.

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    Rhiannon Jester
    Teacher
    Murfreesboro TN
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