Your employees are the backbone of your childcare company. Not only do they care for the kiddos in your classrooms every day, but they also communicate with parents (your customers), help you learn how to improve your business, and contribute to the community at your childcare organization.
But competent employees are only as strong as the training and expectations you provide them. Providing high-quality training improves your business operations—but more importantly, it also encourages employee satisfaction and retention.
To get some fresh ideas for your staff management procedures, here are 10 childcare employee training ideas to help you build a skilled and motivated team.
1. Interactive Workshops
Employee workshops that are engaging and memorable are more effective than traditional lectures.
Some examples to spark your training sessions include:
- Role play proper discipline for kids with challenging behaviors
- Discuss positive and negative communication standards for dealing with parents
- Brainstorm new curriculum activities so every staff member brings their own creativity to the team
- Practice emergency response protocols on-site
Interactive workshops and training provide employees with a low-pressure environment to think through what they’re learning, share what they think, and simulate real-life situations. This ultimately builds confidence and strengthens competency in their roles.
2. Mentorship Opportunities
Depending on how many employees you have, consider arranging mentorship opportunities. You can pair an experienced staff member with a newer employee to encourage knowledge transfer and relationship building.
Mentorship programs help new hires onboard and learn the ropes as they integrate into your business. Ongoing support and guidance—with a designated and approachable go-to mentor—fosters a culture of learning and honesty.
A mentorship model also encourages future leaders. In fact, 75% of company executives give credit to at least one mentor for having achieved their business success. This approach helps your staff help each other in a growth-oriented environment.
3. Digital Learning
Leverage technology to make the employee training process more accessible and engaging for your staff. Here are some ideas:
- Create a digital resource library with training videos and materials that employees can access at their convenience.
- Adopt a learning management system (LMS) to help track staff training modules and offer mobile-friendly exercises for on-the-go training.
- Upload YouTube videos as needed and share them with your employees for ongoing training updates as standards or SOPs change.
These digital training options can help you deliver consistent education across multiple locations and accommodate the different learning styles of your team members.
4. Cross-Training
Encourage staff to develop their skills outside their primary roles when necessary. Cross-training has many benefits beyond employees’ primary position at your business.
Taking a cross-training approach often increases flexibility in staffing. It creates greater understanding across different positions (or departments) and encourages team collaboration when conflicts come up.
An example of cross-training is if you are to have assistant teachers shadow childcare directors or have administrative staff spend time in classrooms observing the everyday duties of the class. This broader perspective can lead to improved communication and a more cohesive team dynamic.
5. Customized Training Plans
Whether it be individualized training or tailored education for small teams, consider giving customized training to staff in need. This could include:
- Investment in an employee’s professional development where applicable
- Providing reasonable accommodations in training for staff with disabilities
- Addressing specific skill gaps among an employee or group
When necessary, approaching training in this way demonstrates your dedication to your team’s well-being and growth. It can also equip your company culture with the tools they need for further career aspirations or simply reaching their full potential at your company.
6. Peer-Led Training
Sometimes teaching is the best way to learn. Consider setting up a peer-to-peer training event where your ambitious employees get a chance to share their knowledge with the rest of the team.
Every employee is unique, meaning there’s likely a lot of internal talent in your workforce. Maybe one employee is exceptionally organized and can show other teachers their lesson planning system. Or perhaps one support staff member is great at crafts and can teach basic skills to other instructors who want to incorporate more creative activities.
Knowledge sharing encourages team bonding while building confidence. It also allows your staff to practice high-level tasks like presentation sharing and leadership.
7. Community Partnerships
Consider networking with local organizations to expand your training opportunities. Some good community partners include local colleges and universities, child development specialists, health and safety experts, and cultural organizations.
Bringing in these types of outside experts can lend a fresh perspective to your team. By connecting with the local community, you also build valuable relationships that can benefit your business in other ways such as events and fundraisers.
8. Reflective Practice Groups
Host regular reflective practice sessions where staff can discuss challenges, share successes, and brainstorm solutions together. This encourages critical thinking and helps you identify areas for improvement for the business.
One easy and effective way to host reflection groups is during weekly or monthly meetings. Develop a structured format to guide these conversations productively. Having an open atmosphere where your employees feel they can voice their experiences encourages honesty, keeps morale up, and prevents childcare employee burnout.
9. Micro-Credentials and Awards
If you want to get really elaborate and creative with training, set up a structure where employees can earn informal credentials and awards. This means you’ll grant them badges, certificates, awards, or special titles after they complete a series of training.
You can make micro-credentials as fun or as formal as you see fit. Some examples include:
- Creative Problem Solver
- Technology Leadership
- Health and Safety Wizard
- STEM Ambassador
- Teacher’s Teacher
- Computer Support
Credential badges and awards incentivize learning and help your employees build a stronger portfolio as they continue their education.
10. Continuous Feedback and Coaching
While you likely conduct employee reviews, consider adding coaching to your training program.
This ongoing approach:
- Reinforces learning from formal training sessions
- Addresses performance issues in real-time
- Provides opportunities for praise and recognition
- Fosters a culture of continuous improvement
You can use a childcare staff management software like Daily Connect to streamline communication and documentation of employee feedback.
Implementing Your Childcare Employee Training Ideas
Now that you’ve gone over some training ideas, hopefully you have a sense of direction for employee development. The most effective training is tailored to your childcare center’s needs and culture. Start by assessing your current training program and identifying areas for improvement. Then, gradually introduce new training methods.
Better training opportunities not only improve the quality of care at your center but also create a more satisfied and loyal workforce. This investment in your team will pay dividends in reduced turnover, increased parent satisfaction, and ultimately, better outcomes for the children in your care.
Ready to guide your childcare staff to their full potential? Daily Connect offers tools and resources to help you manage staff, track training progress, and streamline communication. Download the Daily Connect app today to make your employees’ jobs and your business management a whole lot easier.
