Holding Ourselves and Employees Accountable in Early Childhood Education

Hello friends😄

Does this sound familiar? “Sorry, I’m late. I really needed to stop and get coffee this morning, and the line was a lot longer than I thought.” Or, “I need to leave early today because I have an appointment.”

Yes? I thought so.

This week, let’s talk about workplace accountability!

Accountability is more than just a buzzword; it’s about being responsible for our actions, decisions, performance, and behaviors. When accountability is lacking and tolerated within the workplace, it quickly becomes the norm. And what happens then? We start to see the ripple effects—low team morale, unclear priorities, diminished trust, high turnover, and decreased engagement. Ultimately, this compromises the integrity of our early childhood programs, something none of us can afford.

But what happens when we foster a culture of accountability? We build a foundation of trust and reliability, not just among leaders and team members, but with parents and, most importantly, with the children we care for. Accountability is what allows us to create an environment where everyone knows they can count on each other. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to set this standard by holding ourselves and our employees accountable.

How can we, as early childhood leaders, demonstrate accountability to our team?

• Be on time to meetings. It shows respect for others’ time and sets the tone for punctuality.

• Set clear deadlines. This provides direction and helps prioritize tasks effectively.

• Communicate clear goals. When everyone knows what they’re working toward, it aligns efforts and fosters collaboration.

• Admit mistakes. Owning up to errors not only builds trust but also encourages a culture where others feel safe to do the same.

• Follow through on commitments. Consistency in action builds reliability.

• Provide consistent feedback. Constructive feedback helps others grow and reinforces positive behaviors.

• Encourage employees to give feedback. This creates a strong program where everyone feels valued and heard.

When others know they can count on you, they’re more likely to follow your lead!

Till next time,

Jen

 P.S. Did you miss our earlier newsletter on creating a culture where your employees feel heard? Check it out here!

P.P.S. Here is a Team Building Activity to help create unbreakable team bonds.

P.P.P.S. Need help on where to start teaching your employees accountability? Connect with me and I can help! [email protected]