The Director's Planner: Week of November 4, 2024
Interview questions, seasonal illness reminders, and the importance of positive interactions.
1 Weekly Challenge
Review (and update!) your interview questions
This week, take a close look at the interview questions you use when hiring new staff. Do these questions genuinely reflect the values, needs, and culture of your center? Are they designed to assess not only the professional skills but also the personal qualities essential in an early childhood educator?
Reflect on recent hires: Have they met your expectations? Or have issues come up that you might have anticipated by asking different questions during the interview? Consider updating or adding questions that focus on qualities like patience, communication skills, adaptability, and dependability.
Insiders, stay tuned for tips and tricks on conducting effective interviews, along with my trusted list of my favorite interview questions, coming later this week!
2 Thoughts to Consider
I. "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." -Anonymous
During busy times, it’s easy to focus on what is going wrong or what’s missing. But how often do you purposefully take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate what’s working well? Think about the strengths of your team, the growth of the children, and the trust of the parents. A mindset shift can go a long way in reducing stress and building a more positive work environment, for your team AND for you.
II. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Last week, one of my best friends shared a photo of a note sent home from school with her child. The brief note—just three sentences—praised her child for being kind and polite in the afterschool program and expressed that she was a joy to have. My friend, so proud, mentioned that this was the first time they had ever received unsolicited positive feedback about their daughter. Their child is almost six years old and attended the same center from infancy until she started kindergarten.
So why did it take six years, and moving into a new environment before they ever received (unsolicited) positive feedback?
My guess is that things just got busy. As Directors (and Teachers) we often find ourselves caught up in the daily whirlwind of responsibilities. In the process, we may overlook the profound effect that simple, positive interactions can have. This week, consider how each interaction can be a chance to make one of your team members or parents feel valued—and encourage your teachers to do the same!
3 Action Items
I. Send Out a Seasonal Illness Reminder
As flu and cold season approaches, now is the time to remind families of your center’s health policies and preventive measures. While I used to include a short reminder in my monthly newsletter, I now recommend sending a dedicated reminder to ensure the message isn’t overlooked. It is also great to have on hand should parents reach out later with further questions!
Share a clear overview of your health guidelines, explaining why they matter—not just for the health of teachers and children, but to support the well-being of the entire community. Emphasize the importance of keeping children home when they’re sick to help minimize illness spread within the center. By proactively setting clear expectations before peak illness season, you create a healthier environment for everyone.
II. Choose ONE space to declutter
Choose one shared space in your center—such as the entryway, a public bookcase, play area, or staff lounge—and dedicate time this week to declutter it. Remove any items that are no longer needed or used, and reorganize the remaining materials for better accessibility and flow.
III. Prepare for Fall Conferences
Many centers typically host their fall conferences sometime in the next couple of weeks. If that is you, now is the time to ensure everything is in place for a successful experience.
Confirm that teachers are on track with filling out progress reports and are well-prepared to discuss each child’s growth and goals.
Make sure parents are aware of conference dates and times and have clear access to sign-up options.
Communicate your expectations with teachers on how to approach conversations, including the importance of being honest but kind and avoiding surprises. Remind them that no difficult news should be shared for the first time during conferences, and that assumptions about medical or developmental diagnoses should be avoided.
Don’t forget- if your staff need to stay late on conference days, ordering in dinner is always a pleasant surprise!