Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Hiring and Keeping Quality Staff

    Posted 06-25-2019 08:18 PM
    Hello All!

    I was just wondering if any of you would share how you handle staffing, human relations/resources.  Here are some of the questions I have.

    1. How do you attract quality preschool teachers? What do you do to incentivize them?
    2. Has anyone noticed an increase in turnover of quality preschool teachers in their areas?
    3. How do you explain turnover to parents during the enrollment period and when turnover is happening?
    4. What is your process for announcing that a teacher has given notice? Internally (to your current staff) and externally (to your families)? What are the timelines for these announcements?
    5. How do you handle staff interpersonal issues, i.e. teachers not getting along, teachers ignoring one another etc.
    Appreciated,

    Brittie

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    Brittie Crawford
    World City Center
    City of Angels
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  • 2.  RE: Hiring and Keeping Quality Staff

    Posted 06-27-2019 07:44 AM
    I can only relate to my personal experience as a teacher. Although money is nice it will not keep you if you are miserable with your co-workers and/or do not have support from management. This is a truly difficult field sometimes. As a director I'd say listen and spend more time in the classrooms actually hands on helping out. Just like with the kids recognize when your teachers do something, anything, to improve the school or classroom environment. Show them appreciation and support not just criticism.  Show them you value education yourself and bring in trainers to do together. Implement suggestions and things you learned. And as for teachers not getting along, sometimes its valid sometimes they are being the "mean girl pack", nip that in the bud. You are not their girlfriends, you're their leader, lead by example. 

    And as a business leader get out in the community more. Join a chamber of commerce or some other community group. Leadership takes more than 40 hrs a week. Get out there in the community with booths, events, etc. People will notice and take note.

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    Audrey Kelly
    Teacher/Asst. Director

    MA
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  • 3.  RE: Hiring and Keeping Quality Staff

    Posted 06-27-2019 12:17 PM
    Hello Everyone,
    Keeping and holding on to Early Childhood Teachers seems like a difficult task in many of the Preschools and Early Childhood facilities in many areas. I am an Early Childhood Teacher who enjoys teaching and guiding children for many years. I felt it was necessary to go back to school myself to be a better Early Childhood Teacher in order to give my young students a solid foundation in Early Education.I learned so much by earning my B.S Degree in Child Development plus Montessori Diploma for Pre-K- K. The cost of my education came from me working Full-Time in various settings to make ends meet. It is vital to uprise the salary for Early Childhood Teachers who have worked toward their advancement just like any other profession in many other fields. Teachers earning minimum wage of $12:00-15:00 dollars an hour does not value us as Early Childhood Educators. Until these wages are uplifted can only speak of the quality of teachers you can hold in many of the preschools around the country. In keeping quality Teachers the salary should start at $40,000 with incentives that would make many of us stay in preschools in which we enjoy teaching. 
                                                                                                                                              Best Of Wishes,
                                                                                                                                            Milagros

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    Milagros Neu
    Pre-K Teacher
    French American Academy
    Edgewater NJ
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