Whilst it can be tempting to do things the way they’ve always been done – from your classroom displays to the weekly staff meeting, to save that ever-elusive commodity of time, it could actually be more beneficial to slow down, reflect and brainstorm some new ideas together with your team. 

Here are five practical tips that you can do right now, to help up-level your provision and processes, and bring your team together. 

1. Be present. If you’re in a leadership position, especially in a bigger school, the demands on your time often mean that you’re closed in your office, having meetings, organising schedules and completing all the necessary admin to make sure the beginning of the year gets off to a good start. This means however, that you’re not experiencing the atmosphere of your setting, or seeing how staff members interact with each other on a daily basis. Wherever possible, roll up your sleeves and spend some time where the magic happens—whether that’s in classrooms or communal areas. Your presence shows that you’re invested and helps you connect with both staff and children on a deeper level. Plus, it’s a great way to see first-hand what’s working and what might need a little tweaking.

2. Complete an environment audit. Take a step back and have a really good look at your learning spaces. Are they purposeful, inviting and stimulating? Do they meet the needs of the children, or are things just for show or adult convenience? I often used a strategy I called the “3, 2, 1”, which is a really simple but effective way of freshening things up.
To start, remove three things that aren’t relevant any more – think old displays or resources that have seen better days. Then move two items to a different location, for example a classroom desk or learning display. And finally, change the way that one key part of the area is presented, for example self-registration or birthday displays. In the classroom, I would complete this audit every term, to keep things fresh, engaging and purposeful for the children.

3. Stop, Start, Continue at the next team meeting. This can be a fun and sometimes eye-opening activity that gives all team members an opportunity to voice what they think is working, and what needs to be improved. Simply write the headings of “stop, start and continue” on a whiteboard, and have everybody add one or two post-it notes to each column. This can be a general look at whole-school processes, or given a specific focus for more targeted discussions, for example behaviour management or parent partnership. This collaborative exercise will spark conversation, creativity and clarity on how to refine your setting’s approach moving forward.

4. Complete a training needs analysis of staff. It’s easy to presume that adults will take responsibility for their own professional development, especially in education where reflection is (or should be) continuous. The reality often is however that many teachers feel consumed by the day-to-day demands of their roles, and need specific time and guidance to consider where they want to further their skills.
Ensure you regularly sit down with your team and assess their professional development needs. Where are they eager to develop? What areas need more support? Tailoring training to both their interests and your setting’s requirements not only boosts their confidence, but also elevates the quality of care and education you provide.

5. Send out a parent survey. Parent partnership is a huge contributor both to your setting’s reputation, and how children feel about their learning experience. Bring parents on board with any changes you want to make, ask their opinions and listen regularly to their feedback. Often parents see things differently, and by asking how things are going, you create opportunities for valuable insights. These conversations can really help to make meaningful changes to your provision, increase enthusiasm in your community and strengthen the partnership between home and your setting.