During these tricky times, support for your team is crucial, and the best way to do this is by building meaningful relationships. You can do this by having one-on-one meetings with each educator in your team.

Some of the questions you can ask:

• What help do they need specifically?
• What are they finding most challenging?
• What are some of the ways they would like you to be supported?
• How would they prefer to learn?

By asking the questions, you can make changes to ensure that they're getting what they need and information is presented to your team in a meaningful and useful way.

It's important to spend time in their programs, supporting them just because you can, not because an educator is away. Offer to be an extra and provide encouragement on how well things are going and how positive the outcomes are for the children.

You may also like to find out something non-work-related about each educator – like a hobby – show genuine interest and revisit the topic now and then. Once you have developed meaningful relationships with your team, they will be ready to join you on the journey.

Lastly, remember self-care. Looking after a large team can be taxing so be sure to get what you need as well.

Narelle Lawton
Consultant, Community Child Care Association

Feeling overwhelmed by the huge expectations that come with the ed leader role? Build your confidence and get the strategies you need to motivate and inspire your team with our popular ed leader PD. Get your quote (takes less than 2 minutes!)