Activity 3.4 | Human Resources

In this activity, you will be examining resources and thinking about leadership responsibilities in the staffing of your program. To begin, let’s review the process of hiring staff. One of the key elements of a successful team is finding educators and support staff who can work well with each other, share similar visions and philosophies about children’s ways of learning, and pursue the same goals that support the well-being of the children.

Most programs have developed a vision and mission statement with goals to reach and sustain their vision. For example, the Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC states: 

“We know:

• Happy, healthy, safe children thrive.

• Children’s families are their most influential teachers. 

• Indigenous children benefit from learning about their culture and language. 

• To respect and honour diversity, teachings, and protocols. 

• Excellence and unity are achieved through open, respectful communication and collaboration.”

This statement informs staff and families of the program’s values and beliefs. It promises that children who attend will be given opportunities to learn about their culture and that their families’ knowledges will be respected. Families want to know what their child’s program believes in and expect that the educators will do their best to follow the vision.

Job descriptions need to be clearly written with much thought put into including the desired attributes. This helps a prospective applicant decide if it could be the right fit for them and to be better prepared for an interview. When the program manager or leader needs to hire new staff there are several important steps to follow.

1. Review your job descriptions to ensure they are current and accurate. What qualifications are you looking for? 

2. Decide where you will advertise and how much time you need to attract applicants.

3. Plan the questions. Prepare to answer questions such as salary and benefits, professional development opportunities, schedules, expectations, and other pertinent information. Determine who will be on your interview committee and reflect on what perspective they will bring to that role. 

4. Be positive during the interview. Potential staff should be excited about joining your program. Keep on track with the time during the interview. 

5. Connect with the people who are giving references and evaluate their responses. Consider how you think the candidate will fit in with your program. Do their skills complement those of your current staff? Do they have other skills to offer that would encourage your team or fill a gap? Does the new educator have something different to offer the children and families, e.g. knowledge of another language, music, or of plants/animals?

6. When you have chosen a candidate inform them as soon as possible. Follow up with those who were not successful.

7. When your new staff member first arrives help them to have a positive start by introducing them to everyone, giving a tour of the centre, and making sure all paperwork is completed. Share your policies and procedures, parent handbook and other materials they need to familiarize.

Look at Human Resources Management in First Nations’ Early Childhood Development and Care Programs Manual to consider further perspectives on human resources from an Indigenous lens. Although the manual was written ten years before this course, the information still applies to a manager’s responsibilities. Pay particular attention to legislation. Most of the links in the Resources section are current: Child Care Licensing Regulation, BC Employment Standards Act, Canada Labour Code, and Canadian Human Rights Act, except for Work Safe BC. 

Choose one of the Human Resources topics covered in the manual that interests you and do some online research to update your knowledge.  You might choose to review legislation such as the BC Employment Standards Act to become more familiar with worker’s entitlements.

Write a page or two in your journal about why you chose the topic and what you learned. 

Did your reading help you understand how to apply it to situations you encounter?