Download the worksheet for this lesson below.
Welcome to “Daycare Onboarding Made Simple,” our course designed to get your staff excited and ready from day one!
LESSON 1: What’s This Lesson About?
In this first lesson, we’ll dive into:
- What people usually think onboarding is
- Who benefits from a great onboarding process
- Why onboarding should be a celebration
- The consequences of poor onboarding
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
What Onboarding Really Is
When I hired my first assistant, I had no clue what onboarding entailed. I thought it was just about introductions and signing forms. Many people think onboarding is a one-time formality, but it’s so much more. It’s about welcoming your new team member into your daycare, making them feel comfortable with their job and the workplace culture, and training them effectively.
Who Benefits from Onboarding?
Onboarding benefits everyone:
- The new hire feels welcomed and prepared.
- You and your team gain a confident and motivated member.
- The daycare business runs more smoothly with a well-integrated team.
Why It Should Be a Celebration
Imagine adding a secret ingredient that makes your favorite dish even better. Hiring a new team member should feel the same way – it’s an exciting time! Keep the excitement alive through their first days and weeks. Your new hire should feel this energy from the moment they walk in.
The Risks of Poor Onboarding
Skipping good onboarding can be costly:
- Unhappy New Hire: They might leave quickly, putting you back at square one.
- Unhappy but Stays: Even worse, they stay but are unhappy, affecting morale and productivity.
Prioritizing Onboarding
To ensure successful onboarding, you need a plan. Fill out the “What’s Onboarding Like Now” worksheet below this video. Many people find it helpful to create a checklist of tasks to manage the process effectively. This way, you can make sure every new hire feels supported and ready to work.
Coming Up Next
In the next lesson, we’ll cover:
- Pre-arrival preparations
- Tools for effective onboarding
- Best ways to introduce and welcome your new team member
By the end of this course, you’ll have a robust onboarding process that keeps your new hires motivated and ready to contribute. See you in Lesson 2!