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As a childcare provider, you not only have to keep your kiddos and families happy, but your staff as well. After all, without teachers taking care of those little ones, you have no childcare business.

Research shows that when our teachers feel appreciated, they are more satisfied with their profession and overall happier. Displaying simple acts of kindness toward our teachers and treating them well has also been proven to improve staff morale and the overall work environment.

Here are a few ways to treat your staff like royalty on a budget!

1.     Bring in Lunch –

Order in pizza or buy bread, deli meat, and chips for sandwiches.  Have people sign up to bring cookies or drinks. You could also have everyone bring their favorite dish. While the children are asleep during nap, let everyone take turns coming out of their rooms, getting food and chatting for a minute. This will boost morale and staff bonding.

2.     Holiday Fun-

Plan fun holiday activities to do with your staff. My 2 favorites are Easter and Halloween.

For Easter, we have a staff egg hunt. While the children are asleep, floaters take turns letting each teacher go outside to collect 10 eggs. There are slips of paper hidden in the eggs stating various prizes. The prizes include cash, a day off with pay, 1/2 day off with pay, and so on. For example, one slip may read “Congratulations! You have won $10 cash. Please redeem at the front desk.” Teachers love finding the hidden prizes. This is a staff favorite every year.

For Halloween, we have a costume contest. The staff dress up (non-scary). We take pictures and post them at the entrance and ask the parents to vote for their favorites at the end of the day. The staff member with the most votes receives a day off with pay.

3.     Attendance Drawing-

Keep track of everyone’s attendance. Those who have perfect attendance get put into a drawing at the end of every month. The winner gets a prize. You could offer a $25 gift card, ½ day off with pay, lunch on you, or whatever you want to offer. I always specify that arriving late more than 5 minutes 3 times or more during the month, disqualifies them. A 30 minute tardy automatically disqualifies them. You can make our own rules.

4.     Birthday off with pay-

Make it a company policy that everyone gets their birthday off with pay. If it falls on the weekend, they get either the Friday or Monday off. You can offer this to only full time employees and/or make this in effect after the 90 day hire date if you choose.

5.     Teacher Appreciation Week-

There is a national teacher appreciation week every year. Take this opportunity to do something special for your teachers. Give them a special treat each day. For example, cookies on Monday, fruit on Tuesday, etc. Have the parents get involved too. For more details on how to host an amazing Teacher Appreciation Week, read this article.

6.     Break Room or Snack Corner-

If you have the space, create an area for your teachers to chill and relax on their break. Our break room has a sofa, TV with Netflix and is stocked with various snacks and drinks. I buy them in bulk at Sam’s and charge $.75 to cover the cost of the snacks. The teachers put change in the cash box or cash app me. I have a cash app set up in the center’s name. If you don’t have a spare room, create a cozy corner with a snack stand.

7.     Teacher of The Month-

Choose a teacher to honor each month and announce it to everyone! Post their name at the front desk, notify the parents in an email, post it on the sign out front if you have one. Give that teacher or staff member a reserved parking spot for the month. You may want to buy them lunch on Fridays for the month. Make them feel special.

8.     Treat Cart-

Occasionally stroll through the rooms with a cart or basket filled with snacks, candy, and drinks. Every teacher loves an afternoon surprise pick me up! Get my Woot Woot Wagon flyer here for FREE!

9.     Breakfast Surprise-

Surprise everyone with donuts or fresh fruit one morning each month.

 Most importantly, remember to always greet them with a warm smile, genuinely ask them about their day, and offer your love and support.

What are some things you do to treat your staff like royalty? Leave them in the comments below.

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