Navigating the Staffing Crisis in Early Childhood Education: Lessons from the Field

Navigating the Staffing Crisis in Early Childhood Education: Lessons from the Field

The early childhood education (ECE) industry is facing an unprecedented staffing crisis. As a former staffing agency owner specializing in ECE recruitment, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges centers face in hiring and retaining quality educators. More importantly, I’ve learned the science behind recruiting for this demanding field. If you’re running a childcare program, there’s one crucial rule to remember: you are ALWAYS hiring—even when you think you’re fully staffed.

Overstaffing as a Strategic Advantage

One of the best practices in ECE staffing is to overstaff by one teacher per classroom whenever possible. On days when everyone shows up, use this as an opportunity to:

Give teachers time outside the classroom for lesson planning, documentation, and professional development.
Implement hands-on, messy, or group activities that require extra hands, such as cooking projects or sensory play.
Allow teachers to build deeper relationships with children through small group interactions.

This strategy ensures that when staff inevitably call off, arrive late, or leave early, your classrooms remain fully compliant and children receive uninterrupted care.

Recruiting with Urgency & Efficiency

In an industry with high demand and frequent turnover, a slow hiring process can cost you great candidates. When recruiting:

Act fast! Reach out to candidates immediately—the longer you wait, the higher the chance they’ll accept another job.
Streamline the interview process. Complete the interview, classroom observation, and verbal offer in one visit whenever possible.
Send the official offer within 24 hours and begin the onboarding process, including background checks and clearances, without delay.

Investing in Staff Onboarding

Clearances and physicals are a major hiring hurdle. To ensure new employees are work-ready before their first day, pay for these expenses upfront. Your program can either:

Offer payroll deductions to recover costs, or
Waive fees after an employee completes a set period of employment.

Guiding new hires through the clearance process step-by-step prevents unnecessary delays and ensures compliance.

Flexibility in Staffing for a Dynamic Industry

The reality of ECE is that you can be fully staffed one day and short five teachers the next—due to illness, a transportation strike, or unforeseen circumstances. Always keep additional floaters, bus aides, kitchen staff, and bathroom transition monitors on standby.

If overstaffing ever leads to excess personnel, simply offer voluntary early leave or additional breaks—trust me, your teachers will appreciate it! However, if your program is under-enrolled, be cautious about overstaffing until enrollment supports the additional salaries.

A High-Quality Program Requires a High-Quality Staffing Strategy

Navigating the staffing crisis isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about prioritizing stability, compliance, and teacher support to create a thriving program. Staffing strategically ensures that children receive consistent, high-quality care, parents trust your program, and your business operates smoothly.

For more insights on building a high-quality childcare business, order your copy of "The Business of High-Quality Childcare" today!