2.1 Fostering a Effective Work-Force including Certification and Training
2.1 Fostering a Effective Work-Force including Certification and Training
Staff Retention
Consider what mechanisms can and should be put in place to make sure staff want to come to work and continue working in your centre?
Staff retention can be challenging if the company/organization is not offering competitive/fair wages and benefits to staff. Educators want to work in a place where they feel valued, appreciated and paid well for the hard work they do every day. Ensuring your staff have a good benefit plan that supports their overall wellness, sick days, vacation as well as consistent hours of work, supports overall staff retention.
Engaging in consistent check-ins and acts of appreciation builds an environment of reciprocity. Visit the Canadian Child Care Human Resources Sector Council (CCHRSC) webpage about compensation systems to review what you need to consider when deciding on compensation for staff.
It is important that not only do staff feel appreciated, connected and a sense of belonging but also that they are appreciated. Some ways to appreciate or recognize the hard work and commitment include:
- Providing staff paid professional learning opportunities
- Notes of appreciation
- Acknowledgement of accomplishments
- Recognizing staff for hard work at staff meetings
- Getting to know them, and acknowledge milestones such as birthdays, or years of service
- Bringing food to meetings
- Delegating important tasks to them that would support their growth and development as an Educator
- Providing frequent encouragement and praise
- Providing raises or promotions
- Paid time to prep or write narrations
Child Care Human Resources Sector Council. (n.d.). Compensation systems: Design and goals. https://www.ccsc-cssge.ca/hr-resource-centre/hr-toolkit/compensation-benefits/compensation-systems-design-and-goals