Emma:
Humour and play are important parts of this for
me personally and for us as a service. We often
have a really serious job with lots of
regulations, requirements and responsibilities,
which of course are important. The outlet of
play and humour for the whole team has created a
welcoming, open and enjoyable space. Family day
care creates a different context for being part
of a team as no one works in the same building.
Therefore, there are various other avenues that
we have explored as a way to cultivate safe
spaces for ongoing professional learning, such
as closed Facebook groups or chat groups. This
allows educators be part of a team, to ask
questions and engage in reflective practice.
Shae:
The nominated supervisor often sets the tone of
the service culture, and I’ve always taken pride
in my ability to foster a culture of trust,
respect and high expectations. For me, this has
always come down to recognising and utilising
the strengths of each person in the team. High
expectations and accountability are vital when
cultivating a positive culture, values and
educational philosophy, so holding myself and
others to account is non-negotiable.
Some
resources to support this include:
