Recruiting and Retaining High-Quality Infant and Toddler Teachers
Young children thrive when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who know how to support their development and who respond to their individual needs and qualities. However, research suggests that 25–50% of early childhood teachers leave their positions annually, impacting young children and families and adding to the stress of the remaining staff.1
In this 1-hour webinar, experts from Teaching Strategies will share ways in which childcare program leaders can recruit and retain high-quality infant and toddler teachers in order to lay a foundation for healthy social–emotional development and future academic learning. We will cover
- why stability and quality of care is particularly essential during this period of rapid growth;
- which qualities and experiences are most important when hiring infant and toddler teachers;
- how to validate and professionalize the role with ongoing teacher training, supportive resources, and family engagement guidance; and
- how flexible professional development opportunities can deepen teachers’ knowledge and build their confidence in supporting each child ‘s unique needs.
Join us to learn how to create a positive program environment that supports both teachers and the infants and toddlers in their care.
1 Kwon, K-A., Malek, A., Horm, D., & Castle, S. (2020). Turnover and retention of infant-toddler teachers: Reasons, consequences, and implications for practice and policy. Children and Youth Services Review, 115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105061
Teaching infants and toddlers looks, sounds, and feels much different than leading a preschool or grade-school classroom. Doing it well requires a deep knowledge of child development, attunement to individual children’s needs and personalities, and the ability to plan for intentional and engaging interactions that promote learning and development.
Over three webinars, early childhood education experts from Teaching Strategies will discuss ways to recruit and retain infant and toddler teachers, build a high-quality program, and support classrooms with appropriate tools and curriculum.
