Staff management techniques can make a big difference between a workplace where staff members have worked for years, if not decades, and one where staff turnover resembles a revolving door.

In this blog, we give you 5 staff management techniques that any center director, preschool manager, or daycare owner can use to give their staff members a better and happier working environment.

Help your staff members get their breaks by relieving them for 10 minutes at a time.

Minding 2-year olds and 3-year olds can be quite a challenging task. It doesn’t give a teacher or assistant enough room to breathe, much less take a break.
You can help your staff members have a better working day by giving them time to take their breaks by stepping in for 10 minutes or so with the children while your teacher and assistant take turns getting their breaks.
This helps them regain composure, take a breather or quick snack in the break room. Meanwhile, you can use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the children, get updates on their learning and development, and get a firsthand experience of your classrooms.
These quick trips will give you richer insights on how to better improve your classroom and also help you be more in tune with the children in your care.

Bring treats such as cookies, biscuits, chocolates, coffee, or even cakes to foster a better work environment.

Who doesn’t love a treat? Childcare workers work on a hectic schedule once children start to come in for their long daycare. It usually leaves teachers and assistants almost no time to get a bite in between packed schedules and a room full of young children clamoring for their attention.
Having these small, quick, easy-to-eat treats help give them a quick boost of energy throughout the day.

Have regular meetings with staff regarding their work and work environment.

These meetings help you as a childcare director or daycare owner get insight into both how your staff is faring and the actual state of your center.
Encourage your staff to voice their concerns in order to foster a culture of transparency.
Listen to their concerns and take note of the important and immediate issues that should be resolved.
Together with your staff reflect on the issues and brainstorm for solutions. Achieving a solution formed with your staff will result in a more effective application and yield better outcomes.

Follow up with individual staff when their issues remain unresolved after the meeting.

As meetings cannot last that long, there will be instances where not everyone’s concerns will be addressed. If you find a staff member’s concerns is something that merits further discussion, approach the staff and discuss it with him/her in private.
This validates their concerns and shows you value their voice. Work with them to achieve a solution for their concerns.

Be ready to step in whenever a staff is on leave.

It might be a daunting task and will keep you away from finishing administrative tasks but stepping in for a staff member who is on leave can also reduce the cost of hiring a substitute teacher when your staff is on leave.