When you hire the right person for the job and provide the needed training, the chances of the person staying at the center are higher. The goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children by hiring, training, and retaining the right person for the job. A well trained staff will ultimately provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children and reduce mistakes that are made within the center.
Recruiting Techniques
- Advertising-Television, flyers, radio, newspaper
- Social media-LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+
- Internet job sites-CareerBuilder, Monster, and Indeed
- Develop internships with local community colleges and universities
- College students-Credit hours and internships
- Early childhood websites-NAEYC, local AEYC and ECE websites
- High school students for volunteer hours
- Recruiting firms
- Promoting from within the company
When you place a posting for a potential employee, list the specific qualifications that you are requiring for the position. Promote the center as a great place to work and why. Provide reasons why working for your center would be more beneficial for their career. It is also your responsibility to make sure that the applicant is aware of the center’s philosophy before they are hired. Whichever form of recruiting methods you decide to utilize to find the most qualified individual for the position you will still need to have a hiring process.
Hiring Process
- Interview Process
- What should they know coming into the position?
- Why are they applying for the position?
- What are you willing to train them on?
- What makes them the best candidate for the position?
You have completed the interview process. Now you want to make an offer of employment to the person that is the best fit for your center and meet the needs of the families and children. Whichever form of recruiting methods you decide to utilize to find the most qualified individual for the position you will still need to have a hiring process.
Background Check
- Check references-Preferably previous supervisors or co-workers.
- Background checks-Criminal history and child abuse and neglect.
- Classroom observation with the children to determine if their interactions are appropriate.
Training
- Train all staff on the expectations and the requirements of the position.
- The centers philosophy
- Licensing rules
- Policy and procedures
- Accountability
- Communication-The chain of command, social media, parent communication
- Confidentiality
- Curriculum
- Require a pre and post assessment to assure a clear understanding of the rules and the center expectations.
- Identify the individual or individuals responsible for training the staff.
- How often will staff be trained? Upon hire and with what form of frequently thereafter?
- How many hours of training will be required?
- Will the training hours be compensated?
Retaining the best person for the position
- Raises
- Non-monetary incentives
- Leadership responsibility
- Employee of the month
- Recognition for going above and beyond what is expected
- Promotion within the company