A short Building Blocks YouTube video (Oct 11, 2023) offering practical advice to child care providers on running effective staff meetings. The presenter lists clear "Do's" — start and end on a positive note, keep meetings short, encourage participation, provide snacks, and use humor — and matching "Don'ts" — avoid monologues, always use an agenda, don't be dictatorial, listen to feedback, and end positively. The tone is informal, humorous, and pragmatic, with a brief interactive activity suggested (the "Hot Seat").
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Welcome fellow child care providers to another exciting edition of the Child Care Director's Chair. We know that staff meetings can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, but fear not, we're here to guide you through the do's and don'ts of holding a child care staff meeting with maybe a touch of humor. So let's start with the do's. Do start on a positive note, beginning the meeting by acknowledging the hard work and dedication of your staff. Because a little appreciation can go a long way in boosting morale and setting the right tone for your meeting. No one wants to sit through a rag session, let's face it. And typically that's how they start with the long list of things that you have to complain about. That is not the point of the meeting. Number two, do keep it short and sweet. Remember, when we're dealing with child care professionals here, their attention spans can sometimes rival that of a goldfish. Keep the meeting concise and to the point so everyone can get back to their lives. It's a long day and adding another hour at the end of the workday makes it even longer. So we want to make sure that we are productive and that we just say what we need to say and move on. Number three is do encourage participation. Make sure that everyone has a chance to have their voice heard.
After all, great minds think alike and even greater minds think together while changing diapers. Number four is do provide snacks because nothing brings people together like a plate of cookies or a bowl of fruit. It will also help keep those energy levels up and those taste buds satisfied. Just be sure to avoid any sticky situations with sticky snacks. Number five is do inject humor. The child care field can be challenging, so why not lighten the mood with a well placed joke or a funny antidote? Laughter is the best medicine, especially when it comes to surviving a room full of tired childcare providers. So those are some of our do's. What are maybe some of the don'ts that you probably are guilty of? Number one is don't make it a monologue. Avoid turning the staff meeting into a one person show. Nobody wants to sit through a lengthy lecture on the proper way to tie shoelaces or change a diaper. Keep it interactive and engaging. One of my favorite games to play at a staff meeting is called the Hot Seat and this game is a great way for everybody to get to know each other. Especially when you have a new play. Have the new employee sit at the chair and everybody gets to round questions that are about a minute or a minute and a half long. That's it and just ask them quick questions like what's your favorite candy bar? What's your favorite color? Who's your favorite musician? You get the hint. So anyway, doing things like that make it really fun, gives everybody a chance to get to know each other and doesn't make it really boring. Don't Forget the agenda. A meeting without an agenda is like a toddler without a nap, chaotic and unproductive. So make sure you have a clear plan of what needs to be discussed. This will keep you on track and avoid you from going off on tangents about the latest episode of a popular children's show.
Number three is don't be a dictator. Remember, we are all in this together, so avoid the power trip and foster collaboration in your environment. I mean, dictatorships might work for nap time, but not for staff meetings. And number four is don't ignore feedback. Your staff members are a valuable resource of knowledge and experience. Listen to their suggestions and concerns and take them into consideration. Ignoring feedback is like ignoring a crying child. It only leads to more chaos. And number five is don't forget to end your meeting on a positive note. Just as you started the meeting on a positive note, you want to make sure you end the same way. Leave your staff members feeling motivated and appreciated. A little positivity can make all the difference in the world of child care. So there you have it, the do's and don'ts of holding a child care staff meeting. And remember, a little humor can go a long way in making these meetings more enjoyable and productive. So now go forth, fellow child care providers, and conquer those staff meetings with a smile on your face and a diaper in your hand. That's it for Child Care Direct this year. Please like subscribe and follow. Have a wonderful day. Bye.
