Retention Interviews

10/08/2009

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
Pablo Picasso

Staff retention has always been a challenge in the early childhood world. In his book, The People Pill (Chatsworth, Australia: Amanda Gore International, 2009), Ken Wright observes...

"Do you know what your employee's compelling reasons are to stay? If not, you need to ask them as the first step in enhancing your retention. Many companies do exit interviews, but few do retention interviews. It is far more important to find out what your people like and dislike about their roles before they decide to leave than when they have already decided to leave. Conduct these interviews with a range of your people and all of your top performers to really find out what is making them stay and what may be making them consider leaving.... Ask questions like the following:

If you could change one thing in your area, what would it be?
Would you recommend your job to a friend? Why or why not?
If you left, what would you miss?

A Tool Kit for Managers

Exchange has packaged six of its practical management resources into a single “Manager’s Tool Kit” and is offering the entire set at a 33% discount — separately these resources would cost $175, but we are offering the entire Manager’s Tool Kit for only $112. Resources in the kit include:

The Art of Leadership: Managing Early Childhood Organizations
Managing Money: A Center Director’s Guidebook
Beginnings Workshops Book #8 - Professionalism
250 Management Success Stories from Child Care Directors
Developing Capable, Creative Teachers CD Book
Leading People in Early Childhood Settings CD Book

Earn up to $200 in Music Materials / Equipment
The University of South Carolina School of Music invites children's center directors to have parents complete a music development questionnaire. For more details visit earnmoney4music.org.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.