Working as a team

Several years ago, we had four childcare aides working every day.  One was college educated or at least trained in early childhood.  The other three were paid a lower wage and were required to have a high school diploma.  We almost always had a good person in charge, but the other workers ranged in motivation and ability.  At one point, there was a real crisis with threats and racial overtones.   I sent one woman home and my supervisors came in and out to keep peace until we could finish the school year.  We had to make changes!

Now we have three on staff and all are educated and are paid accordingly.  What a difference!  Not only are they real teachers with even the littlest ones, but they are able to work as a team so much better.  But with three, there still is the problem of who gets the "roamer".  The babies cry and demand attention, but then the older children who come to class with behavior and learning problems of their own don't get the help they need.  And then there is my perspective--eager to enroll more families to keep up the numbers and to include those who call persistently from the wait list. 

We have volunteers on some days, but not every day.  And volunteers are just that--they are not obligated to be there. 

I hope we have settled on a solution.  The default position is that the "roamer" will help with the older children.  If there are too many very little ones and no volunteer, we will ask parents to take 30-40 minute shifts to help out in the nursery.  We do have permission to call in one sub if we are really over our limits.  This week has gone better.

It also helps that little one-year-old C (the toddler tyrant) is adjusting and not crying all morning.  He even says good-by to his mother and she is very grateful for the change.  We all are.