The Director's Planner: Week of February 10th, 2025
Great questions = great people
Whether you go all out with heart-shaped treats and pink everything or you’re just here for the discount chocolate on February 15th (my personal favorite), this is a great time to pause and spread some appreciation. Running a childcare center is no small task, and the people who show up every day—your team, your families, and yourself—deserve a little love.
And speaking of appreciation… let’s talk about hiring! Because finding the right people for your team is just as important as keeping the ones you already have. This week, we’re taking a closer look at interview questions—because the quality of your questions directly impacts the quality of your hires. If your interviews feel like a checklist from 2004, it’s time to drop them like they’re hot and freshen things up!
1 Weekly Focus
Review your interview questions
Hire ______ new team members by February 28th.
Now that we have updated and (hopefully) posted our new job postings, let’s continue working toward our hiring goal by evaluating our interview questions. Too often, interviews feel like working through a checklist that has been passed down for two decades, rather than a real opportunity to understand who someone is. If you’re still asking the same generic, easy-to-Google questions, you might not be getting the best insight into your candidates.
This week, evaluate your interview questions. Do they actually help you get to know the person behind the resume? Or are they just checking boxes?
💡 Pro Tip: Everyone can read Interview Tips to Attract and Hire Great Childcare Staff
2 Thoughts to Consider
I. The best teams are built on more than talent—they’re built on trust.
It’s not just about the trust you build as a leader, but the trust your team has in each other. A highly skilled but toxic employee will do more harm than good, no matter how great their resume looks. Are your interviews focused only on qualifications, or are you truly considering how a candidate will contribute to the culture and energy of your team? And let’s be clear—“culture fit” doesn’t mean hiring people who all think, look, or act the same. It means finding team members who bring fresh perspectives while sharing your core values of respect, collaboration, and commitment to children.
II. "I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions." – Lou Holtz
Not to sound like a broken record, but SERIOUSLY. Stop making interviews transactional and start thinking about questions that reflect what your center really needs. Do they handle tough situations with patience? Can they roll with the chaos of a toddler meltdown? Will they bring positive energy to your team? The best hires are uncovered through the right conversations. So, are your questions sparking great conversations or just filling time?
💡 Pro Tip: Insiders can access my most recent post My Top 10 Favorite Interview Questions to build a great childcare team!
3 Action Items
I. Remind families about upcoming closures
If you’re closed for President’s Day or spring break, be sure families have reminders in newsletters, on social media, and posted in classrooms.
II. Plan for spring clean-up
The weather can be unpredictable, so if you're in a colder climate, make sure you're still stocked for any lingering winter storms. But don’t forget—it’s also time to start thinking ahead to spring. Do you hire a landscaping company for spring clean-up? Have the carpet cleaning on the calendar? Need sprinkler checks or sidewalk repairs? Get these projects listed, approved, and scheduled now so you’re not scrambling (or stuck on a long waiting list) when the time comes.
III. Spread the love on Valentine’s Day!
You’ve been prepping—now it’s time to share the appreciation! A little effort goes a long way in making your team feel valued. Hand out notes of gratitude, surprise them with a small treat, or decorate the breakroom with messages of appreciation. Even a simple “We couldn’t do this without you” can turn an ordinary day into something special. However you celebrate, make sure your staff and families feel the love!
And that’s it for this week. It’s as easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3!
And as always, I’m so grateful when my amazing subscribers refer a friend. Don’t forget—you can earn a free Insiders membership with every referral milestone! Just use the link below to share and spread the word!
