Recruiting the right educators- it’s not child’s play

Australia’s early education and child care industry is booming, driven by factors such as the movement of women back to the workplace after giving birth. The opportunity, this has presented to child care services did not go unnoticed.

ABC Development Learning Centres buckling in 2008 opened the market for new providers.

In 2010 there were around 5900 long day care centres nationally. There are now well over 6800, according to the Melbourne City Institute of Education.

However, providing quality early education services is not playing around, as many centres are discovering.

On average only around 62.7% of child care providers across Australia are meeting the national quality standards. South Australia sits well below the average at only 47.9%.

In order to provide high quality services it is crucial, centres recruit and retain exceptional educators and carers. 

There are ways your child care facility can ensure you have the right people for the job:

•   Develop a recruitment policy

This should clearly articulate a service’s staffing needs and stipulate your selection criteria clearly.

•   Communicate the position requirements

Working in early education is a lot more than liking children and being able to change nappies. Being responsible for a human’s early development is a demanding profession and the required beliefs and knowledge to succeed in the field need to be explained and identified in the applicant.

•   Hone your advertising strategy

Take advantage of all advertising channels at your disposal. Whilst paid opportunities are often worthwhile (child care publications, newsletters and newspapers) often the most effective methods are through community circles or mother’s groups where the interaction is immediately personal.

•    Hand-pick your staff

Consider how the applicant will uphold your service’s current philosophy. Will they be a brand ambassador?

•    Conduct induction thoroughly

Establish an induction procedure which includes the introduction to children and families, the service’s practices and routines and the service’s progress to meeting national standards.

Written by: Claire Dowler

Claire Dowler is a Senior Conference Producer with Akolade. She recently graduated with a double degree: a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Media and Communications Studies majoring in International Communication. Claire minored in sarcasm and puns.

A ballroom-dancer who collects salt and pepper shakers and volunteers for animal rescue, you might say Claire has eclectic interests.