Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.
– Randy Pausch

An Association for Early Learning Leaders (AELL) blog post was written during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic when programs began struggling dramatically with staff retention issues. A number of the strategies they offered then are as important as ever today. Here’s a sampling of ideas to help programs retain wonderful staff:

1. Recognize staff — above all, knowing and noticing what your staff does well sets a strong foundation for ensuring staff feel valued. Take notes when good things happen, and share these back in regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, notice and celebrate both work and personal milestones.
2. Give staff tools for success — ensure that your team has easy access to the tools they need to do their jobs, [such as] documentation or communicating with families.
3. Support professional development —providing stipends or time off to attend courses or workshops, and seeking creative ways to offer mentoring, are all ways to invest in the team you have today and inspire them to stay.
4. Focus on team building — boost team morale with events and activities centered on staff interests. Consider happy hours, hikes, potlucks or community service events.

To provide even more ideas on enhancing staff retention, the Ed.Flicks video clip library from Exchange includes a series on “Supporting Teacher Performance,” with videos such as “Creating a Supportive and Nurturing Environment.”