Understanding the Importance of Exit Interviews

Hello friends📋

Over the last few weeks, I have been reading on social media that employees are leaving without explaination, and it seems like they just don't want to work. 

Let's talk about the importance of exit interviews for you as a leader.

The purpose of an exit interview is to gather feedback from the departing employees, improve future teacher experience, and adjust the current retention plan for your childcare program.

Conducting an exit interview for your childcare program is incredibly advantageous. It's a powerful tool for gaining valuable insights and allows you to explore new ways to elevate your center.

There are two ways you can conduct an exit interview:

1. In-person🗣️

2. Through a survey📜

I have found that conducting an exit interview before the employee's last day provides the most value. We all have had employees send an email, or leave a message on a voicemail that they will not be returning. In these cases, I have conducted exit interviews over the phone.

To ensure you are having a meaningful and productive exit interview:

• Schedule a time⏳ before the employee's last day

• Communicate why❓ you are conducting this exit interview

• Have a neutral person😐 conduct the interview.

  • This will allow the employee to feel comfortable to provide honest answers without feeling judged.

As early childhood leaders, our goal is to grow and retain our current teaching staff to ensure consistency for the enrolled children and families, and to foster a culture of learning, rather than always operating in survival mode.

If your childcare program is in constant need of new teachers, you as the program leader, are likely occupied in a classroom, and unable to lead and empower your program effectively. Using exit interviews to improve employee experience and retention can help stabilize your childcare program!

Till Next time,

Jen Sprafka🖍️

P.S. Here are sample questions I have used in exit interviews!