ECE Director's Toolbox Workshop: A Great Place to Work & The Right Fit

Hosted by the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) and facilitated by early childhood administration and management expert Jill M. Bella (Director's Toolbox, Program Administration Scale: Measuring Whole Leadership in Early Childhood Centers), this two-day workshop will explore two essential books from the Director's Toolbox series: A Great Place to Work and The Right Fit. These resources are designed to equip directors, administrators, and leaders with practical tools and strategies to enhance recruitment and retention in their programs.

Schedule:

9:00am - 4:15pm daily

Breakfast and lunch included

Day 1: A Great Place to Work: Creating a Healthy Organizational Work Climate

Directors often have a global impression that things are going well or not so well at their centers, but they may lack specific information on just what areas of the program’s operation contribute to these impressions. This session explores ten dimensions of organizational climate and provides a multitude of practical strategies that directors can immediately use to improve the quality of work life at their centers.

• Identify the different dimensions that contribute to a center’s work climate
• Recognize that perceptions vary depending on a person’s role, deeply held values, and previous experiences
• Explore how to gather data to measure and monitor a center’s organizational climate
• Apply practical strategies for creating a great place to work
• Appreciate the unique and important role that directors play to ensure success

Day 2: The Right Fit: Recruiting, Selecting, and Orienting Staff

Well-trained and experienced staff are the key to early childhood program quality and healthy child development. Yet every director knows that finding and keeping those teachers on staff is a huge challenge. Skills in recruitment, interviewing, screening, selecting, and orienting new teachers are ones that every director needs. This session breaks down the recruitment, selection, and orientation process into manageable components and suggests practical and effective techniques to help directors find competent and capable teachers for their program.

• Explain why recruitment is difficult
• Demonstrate understanding of continuous recruitment
• Discuss effective networking, advertising, and recruitment strategies
• Apply right fit criteria
• Develop strategies for recruiting and selecting your next team member
• Construct a phased orientation plan
  

What You'll Gain:

• Practical tools and strategies to enhance your leadership skills
• Insights into creating a positive and productive work environment
• Techniques for effective staff recruitment, training, and retention
• Networking opportunities with other professionals in the field

Registration & Travel:

Your registration includes materials required for the training. Light breakfast and lunch included in registration. A hotel block is available for your convenience, however all attendees are responsible for their travel costs. A hotel can be reserved here, however, we encourage you to ensure you have confirmation/your ticket before booking:

Early Childhood Council Coaches & Guests:

If you are a coach, please email Enola Garland at [email protected] for the coaches' registration. Please note, coaches are required to attend a third day - July 18 - for the training of the trainer session.

If you are a director that has been invited by your local Early Childhood Council to attend at no cost, please enter the coupon code at checkout for free registration.

Host or Publisher Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance ECCLA