Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/nurturing-green-staff-from-day-one-ideas-for-facing-the-toughest-training-challenge/5009005/
"Of all the obstacles I've faced on the job - and there have been many - the task of converting green staff into successful caregivers is the toughest."The center director who made this statement is not alone. Developing green staff - new employees with little or no training or experience in early childhood education - is a challenge for most center directors today. To come up with some solutions to this problem, we conducted a brainstorming session at a conference on staff development that Exchange sponsored in Philadelphia. The seven directors listed at the end of this article shared the following ideas on how to nurture green staff.
Day One
The green employee's first day on the job is a bellwether event. She comes to your center excited about her new job. At no point in her career will she be more motivated to succeed.
Kindle this enthusiasm. Welcome her wholeheartedly. Let her know you are happy to have her on board. You may even want to put up a sign welcoming her and introducing her to the parents. Introduce her to all staff members. Present her with her own official t-shirt or coffee ...