Relationships with Staff

Stop

I established and maintained relationships with the staff at the centre I volunteer at which is a Samoan based centre in Papatoetoe by firstly introducing myself. The first day that I started at the centre I made an effort to meet all the stuff that were there and tell them a little about myself so that they became familiar with who I was. Every day that I go in to do my hours I make sure to greet the staff with a smile and ask how they are doing, the staff always reply with enthusiasm. Throughout the time that I am there I keep a positive attitude and behave in a professional manner. I ask the teachers if there are any things in particular that they would like done from me and try to help out whenever possible. I use my own initiative and if teachers are busy, I set up activities, get the children ready for meal time by helping them to wash their hands and clean up before sitting at the table and also by feeding them and getting them ready for nap time.

Think

I think that because I have gone into the centre everyday with a behaviour which is helpful and an attitude which is positive, I have been very successful with maintaining relationships with the staff. They have gotten to know me and the person I am very well. The way that they greet me with a smile and include me in their everyday conversations with one another gives me sense of belonging. All members of the staff feel comfortable enough around me to talk about personal matters or things that may be on their mind, they trust me not to gossip. There is sometimes a barrier because they speak Samoan the majority of the time but if there is something important that I need to know about then they translate and explain to me. The staff always ask me about how I am going with the course and if there is anything they can do to help me out. They ask my opinion on things and if I thought an activity was interesting and what was good about it. I think that because they know what kind of person I am and they have seen how I am with the children they feel comfortable with leaving me alone with them for a while in case of emergencies. When there is a shortage of teachers or if a staff member is running a bit late then I am usually put in charge of a small group of toddlers until something can be arranged.

Change

Changes I can make to better establish and maintain relationships  with the staff at my Early Childhood setting is that rather than waiting to be told what to do or ask if I should set up an activity, if I know something is coming up on their daily routine then I could set it up myself. I should ask the teachers if I could lead activities such as play dough time or mat time with the help of a teacher.