It’s Not a Staff Shortage—It’s a System Shortage

Many childcare center owners assume the hiring problem is a lack of available staff—but the real issue often lies deeper: there’s no system in place to support the process.

When directors are asked to find new hires without clear workflows, they’re forced to improvise—scrambling for applicants, relying on word-of-mouth, and posting on random job boards with no structure or strategy. This leads to frustration, delays, and ultimately, poor hiring decisions.

If you’re serious about growing your team and reducing turnover, you need a comprehensive hiring system that supports your staff from start to finish.

What Your Center Needs:

• Recruitment Workflow: Define exactly where and how you’re sourcing candidates. Are you posting consistently? Are you tapping into your local networks?
  
• Interview Process: Standardize your interview questions, criteria, and decision-making process. Everyone should know what a “great hire” looks like.
  
• Hiring Workflow: Clarify each step from offer to onboarding. Who sends the offer letter? What’s the timeline?
  
• Onboarding & Orientation Plan: Welcome new hires with structured training and clear expectations from day one.
  
• Observation & Feedback: Implement regular check-ins and evaluations during the first 30–90 days.
  
• Training Plan: Create a documented path for continuous learning, professional development, and accountability.
  

The Bottom Line:

It’s not a staffing crisis—it’s a systems gap. If your hiring process is scattered or nonexistent, your directors will always struggle to find and retain great staff.

As the CEO, it’s your job to lead with structure, not just expectations. Equip your team with workflows that empower them—and watch your hiring outcomes shift for the better.

Ready to learn more?

Join me at School is in Session, where we’ll break down the exact hiring systems that every childcare business needs to grow, thrive, and retain top-tier talent. Let’s build the systems your team deserves.