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Writer's pictureSarah McGee

Creative Ideas To Keep Your Preschool Staff Engaged!

Updated: Nov 18, 2023

It's no secret that working with young children can be exhausting. Preschool teachers are constantly on their feet, using their hands to guide little ones and their voices to soothe, instruct and praise. By the end of the day, it's no wonder so many feel drained. However, with a little creativity, it is possible to keep your preschool staff engaged throughout the day. There are a number of ways to do this. For example, you can create a fun and interactive morning meeting. This is a great way to start the day off on a positive note. You can also use transitions as opportunities to get everyone moving and engaged. And, of course, don't forget about brain breaks! These are brief periods of time when children can move their bodies and get the wiggles out. Finally, make sure to end the day on a high note with a closing circle or activity.


Why staff engagement is important for preschools


Preschool Staff Engaged One of the most important is that engaged employees are more likely to be passionate about their work. This passion can be contagious, and it can lead to a more positive and productive work environment. Another reason why staff engagement is important for preschools is that it can lead to better communication. When employees are engaged, they are more likely to be open and honest with each other. This open communication can help to resolve conflict and improve team morale. Finally, staff engagement is important for preschools because it can help to improve the quality of care that children receive. When employees are engaged in their work, they are more likely to be focused on providing the best possible care for their students. This, in turn, can lead to better academic and social outcomes for children.


How to keep your staff engaged


The key to keeping your preschool staff engaged is to provide them with opportunities to be creative and to have a voice in decision-making. Here are a few ideas: 1. Encourage creativity by providing opportunities for staff to share their own ideas and input on projects. 2. Make sure staff have a voice in decision-making. This could be done through regular meetings where decisions are made as a team, or by simply asking for staff input on a regular basis. 3. Encourage staff to be active and involved in their own professional development. This could include regular check-ins with a supervisor, opportunities to attend workshops or trainings, or even just allowing staff to set their own goals and objectives. 4. Encourage staff to take on new challenges and responsibilities. This could be done by asking for volunteers for new projects or initiatives, or by simply giving staff more responsibility for their own work. 5. Encourage staff to have a positive attitude and to show appreciation for their work. This could be done through regular compliments or positive feedback, or by simply taking the time to listen to staff concerns and suggestions.


Brainstorming creative ideas to keep your staff engaged


When it comes to brainstorming creative ideas to keep your staff engaged, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, there are some general tips and tricks that can help get the creative juices flowing. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. Encourage collaboration: One of the best ways to get staff members to come up with creative ideas is to encourage them to work together. This could involve setting up group brainstorming sessions or simply encouraging informal conversations between staff members. 2. Encourage creativity in all aspects of work: It is important to encourage creativity in all aspects of work, not just in traditional “creative” roles. This includes things like coming up with new ideas for marketing campaigns, process improvements, or customer service strategies. 3. Give staff the freedom to experiment: Sometimes the best way to get staff to come up with creative ideas is to simply give them the freedom to experiment. This could involve allowing them to try out new ideas in their working area or giving them a budget to play around with. 4. Encourage outside-of-the-box thinking: One of the best ways to encourage creativity is to encourage outside-of-the-box thinking. This means thinking beyond the obvious and looking at problems from different angles. 5. Encourage brainstorming: Brainstorming is a great way to generate creative ideas. This could involve setting up regular brainstorming sessions or simply encouraging staff members to come up with ideas on their own. 6. Make time for creative activities: It is important to make time for creative activities, both inside and outside of work. This could involve anything from setting aside time each week for creative brainstorming to organizing company-wide creative days. 7. Encourage play: Play is an important part of the creative process. This could involve anything from setting up a game room at work to encouraging staff members to take breaks during the day to play with ideas. 8. Encourage Paw-Paw-Pig tales: A great way to get staff members to come up with creative ideas is to encourage them to tell stories. This could involve setting up storytelling sessions or simply encouraging staff members to tell stories to each other. 9. Encourage creativity in all aspects of life: It is important to encourage creativity in all aspects of life, not just in work. This includes things like taking up a new hobby, exploring different creative outlets, or simply spending time with family and friends. 10. Encourage brainstorming: Brainstorming is a great way to generate creative ideas. This could involve setting up regular brainstorming sessions or simply encouraging staff members to come up with ideas on their own.


Implementing creative ideas to keep your staff engaged


Implementing creative ideas to keep your preschool staff engaged can seem like a daunting task. However, there are a few simple ways to get started. First, make sure that your staff is aware of the importance of engagement. This can be done through regular check-ins, staff meetings, and clear communication. Secondly, provide opportunities for your staff to be creative. This could be in the form of weekly brainstorming sessions, monthly themed days, or even just allowing them to decorate their own workspace. Lastly, encourage your staff to take breaks and enjoy their work. This can be done by providing regular snacks and breaks, and by encouraging them to take part in activities that they enjoy outside of work. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your preschool staff remains engaged and committed to their work.


Monitoring creative ideas to keep your staff engaged


It takes more than just great ideas to keep your preschool staff engaged. You also need to monitor and evaluate those ideas to ensure they are still working and to keep the creative flow going. Here are five tips to help you do just that: 1. Keep track of what ideas have been implemented and how they are working. This can be done via a simple Excel spreadsheet or even just a notebook. Keeping track of which ideas have been tried will help to ensure that you don't inadvertently repeat yourself and that you are always thinking of new things to keep your staff engaged. 2. Make sure to keep the lines of communication open with your staff. Ask them how they are finding the new ideas that have been implemented and if there is anything they would like to see changed. This feedback is invaluable and will help you to make the necessary adjustments to keep your staff engaged. 3. Take some time to brainstorm on a regular basis. This is a great way to come up with new ideas and to keep the existing ones fresh. Get together with a few staff members on a monthly basis and throw around some ideas. You may be surprised at what comes up. 4. Be open to change. Just because something worked well last month doesn't mean it will continue to do so. Be prepared to make changes to the way you do things in order to keep your staff engaged. 5. Finally, always remember that it is the little things that often make the biggest difference. It is important to keep your staff engaged, but don't forget that it is also important to have fun and enjoy what you are doing. A happy staff will lead to a happy preschool and that is what it is all about.


There are many ways to keep your preschool staff engaged and excited about their job. Try out a few of these creative ideas and see what works best for your team. With a little effort, you can make sure your staff is always on their toes and ready to provide the best care for your students.



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