Key Points in Staff Scheduling

11/15/2005

Key Points in Staff Scheduling

Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing.
William Feather

In her article "Staffing at the Child Care Center" from the September 2005 issue of Exchange, Lori Harris offered these 13 key points to consider when developing staff schedules:

• A qualified person should open and close the center.

• There should be a qualified teacher for every group of children.

• There should be at least two staff in the center at all times.

• Be careful of numbers of adults and supervision responsibilities.

• Overlap the staff schedules.

• Think about using split shifts.

• Think about 10-hour shifts.

• Consider a policy regarding continuity of care.

• Schedule breaks between every four hours of work.

• Schedule planning time every day for every staff person.

• Remain objective when assigning coverage to groups of children.

• Know how staff relate to each other.

• Ask "If I were working this shift could my professional needs be met? Would it be okay for me? If my child was in this classroom could her/his needs be met with this staffing pattern? Would it be okay for her/him?"

This complete article including the details for each of these points, can be viewed at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/852

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