Lesson 09: Management of ECE programmes- Staffing and Enrollment of children
Staff Training
The staff training programme begins with the orientation of new staff members and includes all aspects of in-service and on-job training. Planning the total staff training programme depends on the composition of the center. Fully trained and qualified classroom teaching staff members should have basic child development information and should be able to plan curriculum and classroom management strategies with minimum additional training. However they may need special help with parent conferences on home visits and they will surely profit from any in-service training that updates their knowledge of early childhood education.
In-service training
In-service training, an enrichment programme is made available to staff members to enhance their skills and broaden their knowledge of early childhood education. The director is responsible for planning and implementation of the training programmes after considering staff needs and the center programme.
Time and place of training: A suitable time and place for conducting training programmes must be planned based on the staff duties and commitments.
Method employed in in-service training: The methods or strategies employed in the in-service training programme will depend on the amount of time available, resources available and the content of the programme selected. Group discussions led by the director would be an appropriate method to use in making the staff members more aware of the safety issues in the center.
In-service programme training content: Training needs will differ based on the earlier training and experiences of the staff. The teachers should also be given training to deal children with behavioral problems and special needs.
The director should determine if staff members need special coaching in conducting an intake interview, home visit or parent conference.
On job training
Although terms in-service training and on the job training are sometimes used interchangeably they have somewhat different meanings. While the in-service training applies to an enrichment programme, on the job training implies hiring untrained staff members and providing actual job training opportunities while the staff member is employed. The training not only makes the staff members employable in other similar centers but also increases the possibility for the employee to move up the career ladders in the organization.
On the job training is a planned programme of comprehensive instructions that includes basic learning experiences and regularly scheduled classes or meetings.
Participants