Iowa State University Extension

 

Problem:
Childcare centers experience a very high rate of staff turnover and it is an over-whelming task for center directors to provide informative and consistent training to new staff members. Studies have shown that one factor that leads to longer retention of employees in childcare centers is improved staff-director communication and orientation which includes training about child development and job expectations.

Response:
The New Staff Orientation Program (NSO) was developed by Penn State University Extension and adapted by ISUE to meet the needs of center directors in Iowa . Centers directors were recruited to attend a 6-hour training session on using the NSO materials. Forty-three center directors attended two training sessions held in January and February 2007 in Ames . These directors represented 31 centers in 6 counties which serve over 2900 children and employ 485 staff members. Providers had hands-on experience with six of the 30 modules of the training materials and had the opportunity to develop an implementation plan for their own centers during the training sessions.

Impact:
End-of-meeting evaluation showed that all participants could implement an in-depth, comprehensive new staff orientation program based upon their specific center's policies and practices. Comments included: “Great down-to-earth materials that will be easy to implement”, and “I wish I would have had these training materials when I was new!”. A three-month follow-up evaluation is planned.

 

Contact:
Cheryl Clark
Family Life Field Specialist
Iowa State University Extension
Hardin County Office
524 Lawler Street Iowa Falls , IA 50126
641-648-4850
cclark@iastate.edu