How to Welcome New Staff into Your Child Care Program

We know that child care thrives on relationships. A familiar, reliable team helps create a nurturing environment, and when you build strong connections with your staff, everyone benefits — especially the children. Many of our partner centers find that once they’ve connected with a Tandem worker, they request them again, building a trusted and familiar team over time. When the fit is right, we even make it possible for centers to bring workers onto their own payroll, fostering even stronger connections.

The Power of a Warm Welcome

Creating a welcoming, supportive atmosphere from Day 1 is essential to building lasting relationships with your staff. First impressions matter, and a few small gestures can go a long way in helping new team members feel comfortable and prepared. Here are three tips to set the foundation for success:

1. Introduce the Basics with a Quick Tour. A simple, 5-minute tour showing key areas, like storage, restrooms, and classroom spaces, helps new team members settle in. Knowing where to find essentials on their first day helps them feel grounded and ready to support your center.
2. Set Clear Expectations. Communicate the role they’ll be playing, who they’ll be working with, and what’s expected of them. Setting expectations from the beginning helps everyone feel aligned and reduces uncertainty, allowing staff to focus on what matters most — caring for the children.
3. Offer Support and Point Out Resources. Make sure new staff know where to go for help or guidance if they need it. Showing that support is available not only eases first-day nerves but also empowers them to ask questions and be proactive. A supported team is a stronger, more effective team.

Building a Reliable Team Over Time

Once you’ve found a Tandem worker who fits well with your center’s values and routines, you can request them for future shifts, building consistency and familiarity. Reliable, repeat staffing helps create a stable learning environment for children and a cohesive team for your program. Let Tandem help you build the team you need to support your goals and keep your child care center thriving.