Top tips to improve staff wellbeing in ECE centres
By Nikki Howard
Over the years, an early childhood education teacher’s job has become more complex.
There is always paperwork to complete, planning to prepare and targets to meet. When budgets can’t shift its systems that need to change.
By simplifying processes, ECE kaiako have more time to get on with teaching and tending to tiny minds. Here we look at four ways to improve staff wellbeing in an ECE centre.
How to improve staff wellbeing in an ECE centre tip 1 – Feeling valued
ECE teacher Emma Walker says, “It is unusual for kaiako to receive any recognition about learning stories they have written. One of the huge benefits of digital documentation is instant feedback.
“Being able to document things in real time and share this with parents streamlines engagement, which in turn boosts teacher’s moral.” Says Emma.
How to improve staff wellbeing in an ECE centre tip 2 – Goal setting
For a centre to succeed, it needs goals. To accomplish goals, they need to be realistic. Goals are not sustainable long term if the team is burnt out.
For example, kaiako may be asked to sit down and write one learning story per month. Writing is not everyone’s forté and for some, it can get a little stressful.
With a digital system, such as Kinder m8, you can use voice type. Rather than writing the story, kaiako can simply speak into a tablet or laptop and it writes for them, saving time, reducing stress
levels and keeping hands free to care for tamariki.
How to improve staff wellbeing in an ECE centre tip 3 – Planning
Whether it is centre activities, events or staff meetings – planning is crucial to achieve smooth running of an ECE centre. If the current planning system involves flip charts, spread sheets and constant phone calls to parents, staff are probably frazzled.
With a digital calendar, kaiako can schedule and share events and activities for each room or an entire centre.
And, parents can keep track of all activities and upcoming events planned for their child and RSVP with one click. No more reminders in pockets or chasing up whānau with untraceable texts and phone calls.
How to improve staff wellbeing in an ECE centre tip 4 – Sustainability
If one of your centre philosophy’s is sustainability, going paperless is a huge step forward. Less printing means fewer trees cut down for pulp, and less energy used to make and transport the paper.
Benefits of digital documentation are huge. Paperwork on desks and in filing cabinets is not only untidy and inefficient, it’s unsustainable.
A digital system can offer numerous advantages and take your centre’s internal and external communications to the next level. For more information on Kinder m8 call 0275 708 971 or email jackie@kinderm8.com.
