4 Practices That Drive Teacher Retention

Most of us are aware of and have experienced firsthand the effects of the ongoing teacher staffing crisis in early childhood education. In my role at Teaching Strategies, I work with programs across the country and I see its impact on every level. One colleague who works for a multi-site Private Child Care organization told me their program is transporting teachers via ride-share apps from one center to another daily just to keep classrooms open. Directors are often in-ratio, which limits their capacity to recruit and onboard new staff, much less to nurture existing staff. Teachers in states and programs that require certification are being offered emergency credentials, leaving them without the essential early childhood foundational skills needed to offer the highest quality programming. It can all feel quite overwhelming.

So, how does focusing on teacher retention help address current staffing shortages in early childhood education programs?

Focusing on teacher retention—keeping your current teachers in your program and preventing turnover—is one of the best ways to combat the current staffing crisis. Keeping and nurturing your current educators allows you to spend less time on the hiring process and more time focusing on the children and families in your program.

Teaching Strategies recently surveyed early childhood educators and discovered that while more than half of those surveyed are considering leaving the field, many of the reasons they gave are within our control. Guided by those results, we have pulled together four actionable retention strategies to help you navigate the current staffing environment.

1. Foster a positive work environment.  
   Sixty-one percent of respondents who stated they were considering leaving the field said the reason was to maintain their mental health and indicated that working conditions were as important as compensation. Teachers give their all to the children in their care, and it is our responsibility to nurture them as they nurture others. Recalling the six positive messages that lie at the heart of The Creative Curriculum, it is not just children who need to know that their classroom is a safe place to be, they belong, they can explore and do things on their own, and that they can trust the people around them. Adults need these assurances as well. When you review these messages through an educator’s lens, you will likely find many ways to support teachers’ well-being and hopefully create a positive working environment that reduces teacher attrition.
2. Treat educators as the professionals they are.  
   Sixty percent of educators stated that feeling more respected in their roles would help retain them. Honor the past experiences and expertise of the educators in your program. Allow them to share their expertise with one another. Listen when they make suggestions about classroom or center practices. Being heard is one of the best ways to show your respect for everyone.
3. Provide the proper tools for educators to do their jobs well.  
   Show respect for your educators by offering solutions for curriculum, assessment, and communication that simplify their workflows while allowing them to showcase their passion and expertise. The Creative Curriculum provides a well-thought-out framework that gives teachers a roadmap to follow for everything from lesson plans to family engagement. And knowing they can rely on a developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum helps teachers offer the highest quality learning experiences and use their limited planning time to differentiate instruction and customize their plans based on the needs of the children in their classrooms.
4. Provide ample opportunities for ongoing professional growth.  
   Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents reported wanting to pursue continuing educational opportunities. Giving teachers access to flexible, high-quality professional development enables them to refine their practice while improving your program and child outcomes. At Teaching Strategies, we offer a Professional Development Teacher Membership, which includes both on-demand and live courses as well as a dynamic, live teacher onboarding experience called the Teacher Acceleration Program, which sets new teachers up for success right from the start. If your educators want to earn a CDA, we have them covered. Looking for CEUs? Our IACET-accredited coursework is CEU-bearing. How about a new, one-of-a-kind Early Literacy Certification rooted in the foundations of the science of reading? We offer that as well.

There is no denying that we find ourselves in challenging times when it comes to attracting and retaining the highest quality educators possible. I hope you can take a moment to step back and give yourself the space to focus on the things you can control, and know that we here at Teaching Strategies are committed to supporting you with the best resources possible to help you meet the needs of the teachers in your program.