Managers need to be aware of their staff members' individuality, says Mairi Maciver Clark.
Styles of management vary like high street fashions. But how do we know if we've got it right? Like our yearly wardrobe clear-out, the annual departure of a member of staff is to be expected.
Looking after staff is like caring for clothes. Your favourite jeans that are in and out of the wash still look as good as new, but your designer suits require chaperoning to the cleaners. Tailoring our management style to individual members of staff is essential to their longevity with us.
Good quality
Holding assessments and reviews can help maintain a quality and contented workforce. A good staff assessment procedure should have a framework for review. Staff can take ownership of meeting targets on their personal development plan.
Colleagues have shared remarkable discoveries during formal staff reviews:
* Polly has been doing yoga for ten years. We discussed her introducing it to the children and she now runs half-hour yoga sessions twice a week at the nursery.
* Lulu is into recycling and environmental issues. She suggested involving this in our long-term curriculum planning. We did and we've just won a local award as an example of good recycling practice.
* Mags mentioned that she likes music and dance, but had never formally learned how to use her skills with children. We arranged for her to attend a Jabadao course and she now offers it to the children as part of our curriculum.
Tap into staff members' individuality and find a route to celebrate and utilise it for their benefit and our business' gain.
Price tags
Price tags are an important consideration. Bella broaches the subject of a wage increase during her staff assessment, but her punctuality, absence, inflexibility and clock-watching are definitely areas needing improvement.
Stella flags up a similar plea. Her strengths far outweigh her weaknesses - her loyalty, honesty, flexibility and directness are admirable and we reward her accordingly.
After all this, how do we know when we've got it right? Staff remain with us. Team morale is high. Absences decline. Grievances are few. Compliments flood in from parents about their confidence in our ability to care for and educate their child.
Shop around
Accessing the right staff review system is bound to give a manager a what-to-do dilemma. The solution is to shop around.
Having a well- worn staff review system is like the ubiquitous little black dress. Whether your setting is wraparound care, pre- school or out-of-school, it is easily the most elegant choice.
Mairi Maciver Clark is managing director of Mulberry Bush Kindergarten in Killearn, Glasgow and director of the Scottish Independent Nurseries Association
