Supporting temporary staff in your setting

Temporary staff, agency staff and members of a bank team come to our aid when ratios are compromised by staff sickness or holiday seasons. They are a valuable resource to provide a safe environment for the children in our care whilst also providing an accessible, flexible career opportunity for those who work in these roles.

Try to keep staffing consistent

Having someone new starting in a setting is always an exciting time but its important to remember that this can feel quite different for a temporary member of staff who might not necessarily have set days or who’s contract length may not yet be known. As managers, try to keep staffing consistent by placing any temporary staff in the same room, or working with the same group of children to improve familiarity. Learning children’s names can be a tricky task in a jam-packed day! Giving staff a longer period of time to spend with children, getting to know them as individuals, makes a huge difference to team confidence and supporting children to feel secure in their relationships with grown-ups throughout the setting.

Knowing the children is key for everyone

Recognising staff dynamics and last-minute changes can be stressful for the team involved but it pays back in dividends to spend some time in the morning to talk with temporary staff about significant factors or changes, as well as safety information that is relevant for the day. This might include health and additional needs, like allergies or behavioural patterns, or plans for the day ahead.

Give responsibility and appreciate skills

For those tasks that rely on greater relationship building such as handovers at the beginning and end of the day, it is more appropriate where possible, for permanent members of staff to undertake these responsibilities. To prevent any temporary staff from feeling ‘surplus to requirement’ on such occasion, rather than deploying them with menial, routine-based tasks like cleaning and clearing, try to establish their individual strengths and allow them to use their skillset, to ensure their sense of worth and fulfilment by contributing to the wider work of the team at your setting.

More ways to support temporary staff in early years settings

Whether they’re experienced staff looking for a more flexible working pattern or professionals starting out on their early education and care journey in a bank position, whether they are recruited externally via an agency or part of your internal bank team, temporary staff make a special contribution to operating a safe and rich environment for learning and care!