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Archive for the ‘School-Age Program’ Category

Sometimes You Have To Make the Best Out of Staffing Issues

Back in December 2011, my school age teacher (of 2 1/2 years of employment) decided to work closer to home and she gave me a 3-week resignation notice. I was quite disappointed, however, I understood why she needed to work closer to home.

The hunt was on for a new teacher! As I placed ads at the local college, on Craigslist, the Missouri Great Hires website and on our social media pages, I realized how tough it can be to find a quality School-age teacher.

In fact, it seems like when I need a preschool teacher, I get a flood of applicants. At least 2-3 days a week, I would get an applicant for the position, however, they were not the perfect match for the position.

As I write this post, I am still in search of a qualified and experienced school-age teacher. I have also decided to work with the youth in my After School program until the right teacher comes along.

I must say, that they are enjoying me, I am enjoying them and the parents love to see me in the classroom. I know that soon, my new teacher is coming and while I practice being patient, I am also mentoring and coaching my teachers as I work in the classroom in the afternoons.

Also, as I work in the classroom, I am thankful that I have youth development education and that I am able to step in when we are short staff. Moreover,  decided to give myself a pay increase and pay extra on bills during this season.

I shared this post with you to encourage you to find the positive in staffing issues and use it as an opportunity to do something great for your program. Moreover, instead of getting frustrated because you have to hire someone else, embrace the staff that you have, try to have a positive mindset about it and keep in mind that…This too shall pass!

Since I have been in the classroom, my school-age program has improved, the community in the classroom is more caring, I have more blog post ideas and I feel that I have prepared a great place for my new teacher.

If you have a large center, you may not be able to teach in the classroom, however, I suggest that you have floaters to assure that you are well staffed to assure adequate child-to staff ratio. My center is licensed for 40 children with an over lap of 53 children and I can be counted in the ratio in the state of Missouri.

Moreover, one thing that I have learned during this process is to never stop interviewing or advertising that you are hiring. There many applicants that would love to work in your program, however, it takes time to find the perfect person for your facility.

Keep this in mind when looking for new staff: Be Fast to Fire and Slow to Hire!

I look forward to your thoughts about this post. Feel free to share your feedback or post your comment.

Shiketa

Be sure to subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter for weekly business tips! and check out my blog post on School-Age Care.

Category:

Employee Management, School-Age Program, Staffing

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Empowering Youth For Financial Success by Dr. Linette Daniels

I have worked with young people for nearly two decades and raised 12 therapeutic foster care children, so believe me when I say. . . I have been there, done that and wrote a book to tell about it. LOL!

Look, if you spend more than one-hour a year with a child, this article is for you!

Money Smarts is what young people need for success, so if not learned from YOU, then WHO?

Entering the world of school is a child’s first real introduction to life outside of his or her home.  Sure they visit friends and family, but there is nothing like having a building filled with strange adults, new rules and bad food to give any child a dose of reality.

Now there are schedules, rules, grades, parent conferences, report cards, and homework.  Then you throw in the extra-curricular activities after school and you must be wondering when they would have the time or energy to develop money smarts.

Well I have some good news.

Some learning opportunities will be natural and logical, while others will be created by you to serve a purpose.

But EVERY moment is a teachable one; you just have to keep your eyes open.

For now I leave you with a fun activity to share with the elementary age children in your group.

Money Trade

To play this game you’ll need a dice and 10 of each coin (penny, nickel, dime and quarter).  The object of the game is to be the first player with 25 cents saved.

Take turns rolling the dice.  Each player gets the amount of pennies shown on the die.  As each player accumulates 5 pennies or more, the 5 pennies are traded in for a nickel and so on.

The children will quickly understand that a dime is worth 10 pennies, that a nickel is worth five, and that less coins doesn’t necessarily mean less money.

Let the children keep the money they win to add to their piggy bank savings.

About Dr. Daniels

Dr. Daniels believes that given the right space, tools, and training; ALL youth can succeed, and as founder of the International Movement To Empower More Youth, her mission is to empower youth for financial, business and leadership success so they can create the life they want to live.

Whether you are a young person, a parent or from a youth-serving program, visit http://EmpowerMoreYouth.com and get in where you fit in!

Category:

Curriculum, Featured Expert, preschool, School-Age Program

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