Rethinking Childcare Staffing

With a new school year underway, finding and retaining qualified educators is more important than ever as administrators balance schedules, ratios, and the well-being of their teams. In this post, we’re revisiting an IKS Academy webinar featuring Vernon H. Mason, Jr., M.Ed., a best-selling author, speaker, and early childhood leader. Whether you’re facing staffing shortages now or planning for the future, Vernon’s advice offers fresh, practical ideas to help you build and sustain a strong team.

Recruitment

Don’t lose great talent to hesitation. Top candidates won’t wait, they’re likely meeting with your competitors too. Be ready to hire on the spot with pay approvals in hand to show confidence, respect their time, and secure the talent before someone else does.

Overhire. If you need to fill one or two positions, you may need to interact with up to twelve candidates, because not everyone shows up or calls back. Play it safe: overhire or stay stuck in crisis mode.

Target your recruitment. Every center has its own “avatar” of a great employee. Look at where your best people came from (referrals, job boards, community colleges) and what traits make them thrive. Then double down on those channels to attract more of the right fit.

Get creative.  Think beyond job boards and make hiring a community-driven experience. Host lively job fairs (yes, even with a food truck), build lasting partnerships with local colleges, and turn parents into recruiters by offering enrollment incentives. The more you connect, the more great candidates will find their way to you.

Create pathways for advancement. Many candidates are drawn to growth opportunities, not just entry-level roles. Highlight transition positions, such as curriculum specialists, mentors, or assistant directors. These roles spark interest, bring in ambitious talent, and keep your team engaged for the long term.

Focus job ads on the employee experience. Great job ads don’t just list duties, they highlight what candidates will gain. Showcase perks like discounted childcare, paid training, or flexible schedules, and keep the message short, fun, and engaging. Take inspiration from postings that catch your own attention! 

Onboarding and Training

Build the foundation for success. High turnover is a reality in this industry, but it doesn’t have to derail quality. A strong onboarding and training system ensures new hires get up to speed quickly, so your center maintains excellence no matter how often the roster changes.

Create a WOW first impression. The first days shape the entire employee experience. Welcome new hires warmly, build real connections, and create a sense of belonging. True engagement starts the moment they walk through the door! 

Empower your trainers and mentors. Great onboarding requires people who are prepared and motivated to guide new hires. Make sure you have dedicated team members ready to train, and give them the recognition or incentives they deserve. 

Share the “Why”. When employees understand how their work supports the bigger mission, motivation soars. Even small tasks, such as keeping the lobby clean, can boost first impressions, drive enrollments, and fund rewards like raises or staff perks. A clear “why” makes everyday work meaningful and keeps teams engaged.

Building a Workplace People Want to Stay In

Offer benefits to part-time staff. Provide vacation time based on their average hours worked, and consider extras like paid holidays or supplemental health, dental, and vision coverage (if allowed). When part-time staff feel valued with perks usually reserved for full-time roles, they’re far less likely to leave. 

Embrace flexibility. Younger employees crave flexibility, and offering part-time roles or floating schedules can set your center apart. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing change, you can start small by testing 4-day or 3-day workweeks in a few classrooms. Even small shifts can make a big difference in attracting and keeping top talent. 

Pay competitively. To attract and keep the best staff, you need to pay at the top of the market. Secret shop competitors to stay informed, and adjust tuition regularly. You can’t offer top pay if your rates don’t keep up! 

Participatory management. Involve staff, especially younger employees, in shaping schedules, policies, and ideas. Giving them a voice builds loyalty and ownership and provides leadership with unique ideas and points of view. 

Prevent burnout. Protect work-life balance and support mental health. A rested team is a stronger, longer-lasting team.

Treat staff fairly, not equally. Tailor support to individual needs to show you value people as individuals.

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Want to watch the entire webinar? Click here.

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Spotlight on Our Expert Guest

Vernon H. Mason, Jr. M. Ed.

Author, Keynote Speaker and Workshop Extraordinaire.

With over 30 years of experience in the early childhood field, Vernon’s seen it all. Affectionately called the “trifecta of childcare”, Vernon’s journey spans growing up in an in-home program, founding and scaling multiple centers, and serving as Senior Vice President of Growth and Development at The Nest Schools.  

After nearly three decades, including 10 years as a multi-site owner, he sold his schools in 2019. He has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, has authored several acclaimed books, and has become one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers. Now, as a national speaker and trainer, Vernon helps early childhood leaders navigate crisis, chaos, and constant change with humor, heart, and hands-on strategies.

Learn more at DirectorsLeadershipSolutions.com

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