Attracting and Retaining Staff in the Early Years Sector: Competing with Supermarkets and Fast Food

As a manager or owner in the early years sector, you may find yourself facing stiff competition from supermarkets and fast food chains when it comes to attracting and retaining staff. While it may be difficult to compete on salary alone, there are still several things you can do to make your nursery business more appealing to job seekers.

Show the Benefits of Working in the Early Years Sector

Sense of purpose and fulfilment

Working in the early years sector can offer a sense of purpose and fulfilment that goes beyond a pay packet.

Positive impact on children's lives

The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children can be a powerful incentive for many job seekers.

Professional Development Opportunities

Leadership training

Offer leadership training to help staff advance their careers and take on more responsibility. To offer leadership training, you can provide in-house training sessions, workshops, or online courses that focus on specific leadership skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or conflict resolution. You can also provide opportunities for employees to attend conferences or other professional development events that focus on leadership in the early years sector.

Coaching and mentorship

Provide coaching and mentorship opportunities to help staff develop their skills and knowledge. You could match experienced staff members with newer employees and provide them with support and guidance as they learn the ropes of the job. You can also encourage staff members to attend training or workshops together and to work on projects as a team.

A Positive Work Culture and Work-Life Balance

Teamwork and open communication

Foster a culture of teamwork and open communication to create a supportive and collaborative work environment. To foster a culture of teamwork and open communication, you can encourage collaboration and mutual support among staff members. For example, you can establish regular team meetings and encourage staff to share their ideas and feedback. Additionally, you can make sure that communication channels are open and that employees feel heard and valued.

Team Building Days

Another strategy to consider when attracting and retaining staff in the early years sector is to organise team-building activities and events. Team-building days can be a great way to build camaraderie and a positive work culture among staff members. Activities such as team sports, games, or volunteer work can help to build trust and a sense of shared purpose among employees. These events can also be a great way to break the ice and get to know each other better.

You could also organise more specific team-building activities that focus on skills and development. For example, you can hold workshops where staff can learn new skills or attend training sessions on teamwork and communication. These types of events can not only bring your team together but also support them in their professional growth.

Additionally, team-building days can be a fun way for staff to relax and unwind, which can improve job satisfaction and reduce stress levels. This can make the workplace a more pleasant and enjoyable place to work and ultimately help with the retention of staff.

Overall, team-building activities can be a cost-effective and enjoyable way to build a strong and dedicated team in the early years sector and make your nursery business more appealing to job seekers.

Flexible scheduling

Offer flexible scheduling options to help staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. You may want to consider providing employees with options such as part-time, or 4 long days rather than 5 normal days to help them balance their work and personal responsibilities. Also consider being as flexible as possible when it comes to GP and hospital appointments.  Offering these ideas as formalised employment benefits can help you attract new staff

Advancing Qualifications: Opportunities for Professional Growth

Improved career prospects

Becoming more highly qualified in the early years sector can improve career prospects and open up new opportunities for advancement. To highlight the improved career prospects that come with advancing in the early years sector, you can share examples of staff members who have been promoted within the business through professional growth opportunities. Additionally, you can talk about the opportunities for advancement, such as becoming a room leader or deputy manager, that come with being a qualified early years educator.

Increased knowledge and skills

Qualification programs can help staff to develop a deeper understanding of the early years sector and improve their skills and knowledge. To emphasise the increased knowledge and skills that come with completing qualification programs, you can provide information on the specific topics and skills that will be covered in the program. You can also highlight the benefits of having a deeper understanding of child development, learning theories, and best practices in the early years sector.

In Conclusion…

Attracting and retaining staff in the early years sector can be challenging, especially when competing with supermarkets and fast food chains. However, by focusing on the benefits of working in the field, providing professional development opportunities, fostering a positive work culture, and highlighting the benefits of becoming more highly qualified, you can make your nursery business an attractive and rewarding place to work. By investing in your staff and supporting their professional growth, you can create a strong and dedicated team that is committed to providing the best possible care and education for the children in your charge.