Early Childcare Assistants (ECAs) have the opportunity to work with young children in a variety of educational settings. In recent years, Canadian schools have recognized the importance of acknowledging the developmental needs of children entering the school system. There’s a need for interprofessional collaboration to offer children the support they require, particularly during their transition from preschool to kindergarten. If you’re considering Early Childcare Assistant training, collaboration skills will be an essential part of your success. Keep the following practices in mind while on the job to provide the children in your care with the best possible support.
1. Work to Establish Shared Goals When Collaborating With Teachers
In all work environments, shared goals help a team harness the combined strengths of each professional’s perspective and expertise to achieve the desired result. Even though you’ll come from a different professional background than the teachers you’ll work with after training, it’s certain that you’ll have goals in common. On the job, try your best to establish these early by being specific and thinking carefully about realistic strategies for achieving your objectives. This will not only demonstrate initiative in your new position, but it will provide you and the teachers you collaborate with some common ground and clear direction. After Early Childcare Assistant training, consider initiating a conversation on shared objectives.
2. Keep the Lines of Communication Open After Early Childcare Assistant Training
Effective communication will facilitate the planning and evaluation of educational activities. In addition, when you communicate well with teachers, you’re better equipped to anticipate the assistance you’ll need to perform your duties to the best of your ability. Be straightforward about anything that isn’t working, but also be quick to communicate positive feedback. Many childcare and educator teams use an online communication platform to make collaboration convenient. The classroom also can be adjusted to facilitate communication through open-concept layouts and seating plans–making it easier for staff members to work together.
3. Focus on Creating a Sense of Community
After Early Childcare Assistant courses, establishing a sense of community among staff members in the classroom is essential. It will not only make your collaboration more pleasant, but it will facilitate trust building, productivity, and increase each individual’s sense of personal investment. How might you build a sense of community in your first ECA role? Start by establishing an authentic connection with teachers. You can do this by asking questions and sharing an interest in what the class needs most. By using self-disclosure to share pertinent information about yourself, you may find that fellow teachers better understand your role in addition to you as a person.
4. Work Through Conflict Proactively
While working with teachers, or anyone for that matter, conflict is bound to come up. This is normal, but what really matters is how you choose to deal with it. Ongoing conflict makes it difficult to work together towards a common goal–which, as discussed, is an important part of providing adequate support for young students. Remember to apply the golden rules of conflict resolution:
- Go into conflict resolution aware of the biases you bring to the situation
- Avoid escalating the situation with personal attacks or provocation
- Overcome the ‘me vs. them’ perspective
- Get to the root of the conflict rather than addressing superficial issues
- Define acceptable behaviour going forward
- Focus on the positive
Interprofessional collaboration can be a challenge, but when you’re able to make it work, significant professional growth can occur. Not only this, but the students in your care will benefit significantly from the combined expertise and efforts of your team. Our Early Childcare Assistant Diploma program leaves students fully equipped to be valuable members of any educational or childcare team. The program covers all aspects of child development and provides students hands-on experience through labs.
Are you ready to earn your Early Childcare Assistant Diploma?
Contact Medix College to learn how you can get started.
