How to choose the right teacher for your childcare centre
Every centre has unique needs, but generally, you’ll want to ensure the person you hire is aware of the local community, able to build positive relationships with children, parents, and staff alike - and knowledgeable about early years care and education.
When it comes to childcare recruitment, it’s essential to ensure you find the right people who are the right fit for your business.
Every centre has unique needs, but generally, you’ll want to ensure the person you hire is aware of the local community, able to build positive relationships with children, parents, and staff alike - and knowledgeable about early years care and education.
Whether you use a childcare staffing agency or advertise independently, choosing the right staff can feel challenging - but the following tips can help you with these critical decisions:
1. Define your position.
Have a defined role and expectations for your new teacher. The clearer you can be, the more likely you’ll attract the right type of candidates.
Start with an overview of what a day in your centre might look like, the setup of the team, the types of activities they’ll be expected to participate in, and the desired level of knowledge and qualifications you’d like them to bring. You can also talk about the personal skills and attributes you’re looking for.
2. Make a list of what you want and need when it comes to skills.
A clearly defined list of essential and desirable skills will help you narrow down your applicants.
Focus on these lists before getting too bogged down in reading every line of every CV and cover letter you receive - once you have a pile of applicants that match up to your lists, you can start reading through to pick those you want to interview.
3. You’re an expert on your business, so use your expertise!
When it comes down to the shortlisting, interviewing, and hiring phase, remember one crucial point - you are the expert. You know what skills, ideas, temperament, and character are required to be a success in the team. Keep this in mind when recruiting.
You’ll hear many hiring managers refer to their ‘gut instinct’ regarding recruitment, and it’s true! They know the job, the team, and the company, so they know what it takes to be a success in the role they’re hiring for. Take a leaf out of that mindset and use your expertise when recruiting.
4. Do the digital interview.
The ’digital interview’ - where you look up potential candidates online before you meet them - can help you to build a more robust picture of the individual and their suitability. Don’t forget, it’s highly likely that the parents of the children in your care will do the same, so it’s good to know what’s out there beforehand.
There’s nothing wrong with doing a quick digital check on who you want to interview; it can make a big difference in how you decide to move forward with them as a potential employee.
5. Take your time
And finally - there’s no rush! Hiring the wrong teacher can be far more costly, counter-productive, stressful, and off-putting for the future of your business. Don’t hire on impulse or think because you’ve been looking for someone for over a month; you have to hire the next person that applies.
Take your time, keep in mind some of the points above, and make sure you hire the right person for your childcare centre.
If you need extra help finding the right teacher for your childcare centre, use Juggle Street as an alternative to traditional childcare recruitment services or childcare staffing agencies.
