Getting Staff Buy-In: 4 Tips for Training Multi-Site Childcare Teams

Hi there! I’m Lisa Henkel – the VP of Education and Training at LineLeader by ChildcareCRM.???

Before I joined LineLeader, I oversaw operations as the CBO of a multi-site childcare franchise on the East Coast.?

Back then, I was actually using the LineLeader CRM platform to better understand and grow our business.

But aside from using the platform myself, I was also responsible for training and integrating the platform into our teams’ daily processes.?

And wow – did I learn a lot!???

So, in this article, I'll be sharing how I got staff buy-in and trained multi-site teams - plus, how I’ve been helping other ECE executives do the same thing, year after year.?

The Complexity of Coaching Multi-Site Childcare Teams?

We all know both the power and the complexity of being a good 'coach'. And having multiple teams across different locations, states, and regions certainly doesn’t make things easier.???

And while maintaining consistency is important, it’s important to remember that each of your locations has a unique facility, unique staff, unique leaders, and its own unique community.

For example, center staff with a licensed capacity of 500 are going to operate and digest information differently than those from a center with 100 students. ?

And staff from your center in rural Texas are going to want to learn differently from the staff at your downtown Atlanta location.

But beyond the center’s size or geographical location, each individual staff member has a unique learning style and a preference for either auditory, visual, or tactical learning. So, some employees may require more hands-on training or group collaboration than others.

Whatever the case, everyone has a different background. But with the right direction – their diverse experiences can strengthen your childcare organization.??

And honestly - who doesn’t want that??

That’s why the best coaches address varying skill levels and foster conversations about their team member’s learning preferences - before they spend hours crafting the 'perfect' PowerPoint presentation.

How to Overcome Training Obstacles??

I know it’s tough to get all your staff on the same page and trained on new tools – but not impossible. You not only have to explain how the software works, but you have to let staff know how it will benefit each of them in their own unique roles. ?

Here are my top coaching tips for multi-site childcare leaders:??

• Communicate Clearly & Often: Explain the vision and benefits to your team members. Emphasize how it aligns with their job, their center’s goals, and the overall mission of your organization. Keep open lines of communication between individual contributors and managers to address any concerns or questions.??
• Be Actively Involved with Your Teams: Involve necessary teams (ex: Marketing, Enrollment, Finance) in the decision-making process, seeking their input and feedback. This fosters a sense of ownership and motivates them to embrace new knowledge.??
• Provide Personalized Training: Provide hands-on time for your staff to practice and get familiar with the software. Offer tailored training sessions that speak to their specific roles and responsibilities such as a ‘Directors’ Conference’, a ‘Teacher Training Session’, or an ‘Enrollment Team Training’. Take the time to make sure everyone understands how the right technology can help automate their daily tasks. Trust me, it will pay off in dividends later.?
• Choose the Right Tool with the Right Team: Not all childcare software is built the same. But beyond that, not all support staff are built the same... It’s important that you and your colleagues choose a company that has helpful, in-house representatives who will provide you with a clear path for feedback and dedicated training. ?

Bridging the Distance: Best Practices for Educating Your Teams, Across Centers?

1) Show, Don't Just Tell: 'Wow' your employees with visually-interesting presentations that highlight the software's benefits. Use interactive demos to help them conceptualize how it'll positively impact their roles, their locations, and the entire organization. Showcase how it simplifies administrative tasks, boosts communication, and improves overall efficiency.??

2) Inspire with Success Stories: Share tales of other childcare organizations that have succeeded with similar software. Highlight tangible results like increased productivity, happier parents, and better teamwork.??

3) Get on the Same Page: Train your multi-site team on one unified platform for consistent learning. Recently, I had a blast hosting an in-person training for Child Development Schools. Step by step, I showed them how LineLeader's platform saves time and eliminates manual work. And being able to witness the benefits firsthand (and hear from an actual LineLeader employee) helped empower their teams to feel confident using the platform in their daily lives!?

4) Capture the Magic: Record presentations and demos for ongoing training. At LineLeader, we regularly walk through new features, hosting and recording sessions for easy access. It's like having a personal trainer available anytime, anywhere. And that’s something you can replicate or partner with your CSA on to do for your own teams. ?

P.S. We love using Loom to record video demonstrations so employees can watch them on demand!?

The Road to Triumph: Achieving Childcare Success through Training Excellence

I'm lucky enough to consistently do what I love, which so happens to be teaching ECE leaders like you (and your staff) about helpful tools that can streamline your childcare organization. But choosing the right tools for your business is just the first step. Next is getting your team to learn, adopt, and love the system that you’ve dedicated time and resources to.?

I know managing and coaching a handful of teams at once sounds daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. With the right training methods and mindset, you’ll see your childcare staff respond positively to the information you’re sharing.??

You can do it, and I’m here to help. If you have questions or comments, feel free to shoot me a message here on LinkedIn at https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/lisahenkel/.??

And that’s a wrap! Thanks for tuning into this week’s tips. Our Executive team will be posting new blogs on LinkedIn regularly, so be sure to subscribe for updates on more industry-leading topics.??

P.S. Follow our social media pages for additional tips and suggestions (we’ve even got blogs made especially for your teachers, your directors, and your specialized admins)! ???

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