Hiring childcare staff is a tough challenge for most childcare provider. While most childcare providers are unable to raise salaries and wages, there are other aspects of the job one could sell to prospective employees–benefits and opportunities.
While childcare work is admittedly both physically and mentally demanding, it is ultimately rewarding work, seeing children develop, improve, and learn as they grow.
So, more than just focusing on the demands of the work, it’s best to also highlight the rewards of the work.
Here are some benefits, opportunities, and perks you could add to your job ad.
1. Work Schedule
There has been news of childcare staff quitting their posts due to long hours, some lasting for 12-hour shifts, or more.
Attract workers by emphasizing how their presence will help in shortening work hours.
Mention any of these that apply to your childcare business: no late nights, no weekends, flexible schedules, overtime rates or pay on inclement weather days such as snow days or stormy weather.
2. Paid Time Off
Another attractive benefit you can offer is paid time off.
It can include paid sick leaves, vacation time, paid holidays, paid personal days such as birthday or work anniversary.
These PTO benefits are progressive benefits that’ll put you ahead of your competition.
3. Childcare for their children
Attract qualified employees with children of their own by offering them discounted child care.
Highlight the perk of being able to work and watch their children grow at the same time which is a rare one to come by.
You could also state they will get priority over child care openings.
4. Healthcare benefits
If you offer health insurance, healthcare subsidy, or paid sick leave, these benefits speak loud and clear about your concern for their health.
While a number of childcare workers have previously left the industry because of the danger of exposing themselves and their family, these healthcare benefits that act as a safety net can offset that concern.
5. Free meals
Give your employees one less thing to worry about by including them in the meal plans.
You can also create potluck days to add a surprise spice to your carefully regulated and planned meals.
6. Simple IRA
Everyone is concerned about their retirement and in an industry that has a historically low median wage, a simple IRA contribution could start an employee’s retirement package.
This is especially attractive to fresh graduates who are yet to have an IRA account.
7. Discounts from local establishments
Not all benefits and perks must come from the business pockets. Look into your enrolled parents, local community, and local businesses and see who might be able to give your employees a 5-10% discount.
Consider those with other essential services who benefit from your childcare business.
Places like dental clinics, gyms, groceries, clothing stores, restaurants, gas stations, or even hospitals are good establishments to partner with for your child care business.
Establishments that promote rest and relaxations will also be a great place to ask for discounts such as spas and nail salons.
8. Scholarship or Subsidy for Further Education
The early learning childhood sector is one of the most scrutinized and regulated industries in terms of education and qualifications for its workers.
As early learning educators would need further training and education, offer scholarships or subsidies that’ll help your employees continue their education while offsetting the costs.
You can also partner with nearby colleges, institutions, and universities that offer early learning childhood education courses for discounts, subsidies or even scholarships.
To prevent abuse, you can add a caveat that any recipient must perform community service to pay it back by working within the community or in your business.
This will help your business retain qualified employees, with a progressive curriculum, and help your community produce bright minds in the youngest population of the community.
9. Social incentive
As childcare deserts keep on spreading and expanding, leaving young children under 5 far behind their peers who receive prompt early learning education.
Emphasize the cause they’d be supporting the problem they’d help in averting by applying and working for your childcare business.
Make it more concrete by stating how an additional staff would mean that you’ll be able to help a number of children, and by extension their family’s working members.
10. Benefits according to their needs
If you found an applicant that fits your needs perfectly, it also pays to ask them about the benefits that would best suit their needs.
Whether it’s having a flexible working schedule, their child enrolled in your service, or a Simple IRA for a fresh graduate, having benefits and perks tailored to what they need can help greatly in retaining employees.
These are just a few of the benefits, opportunities and perks you can add to your job ad that can boost your chances of attracting qualified applicants. While they are not adding anything to the hourly wage or salary, it makes working in your childcare center truly a rewarding experience that goes beyond the hourly wage.
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