Do you feel as though your team are always falling out and could do with some team building activities?
Team Building
Jun 27, 2019
This was a question that was asked in the community group set up on Facebook for those that are studying my Hygge in Early Years Accreditation. (Find out more here)
When I worked as a leader I would hold 15 minute daily team meetings before the children came in. During this time we would run through the day, discuss health and safety/ safeguarding and share the current interests and fascinations. I really felt that having this daily meeting was important to help everyone understand how the day would pan out and allow us to have communication around it. It also meant that if any issues or difficulties were brought up by the team then these could be discussed there and then. Instead of building up over a series of days.
We would also finish our daily meetings by spending the last 5 minutes running through a guided meditation. We would use the app headspace or simply play some calming music. This allowed us all to gain focus and calmness before the children came in.
I wanted to share some other ideas that were suggested and share them with you!
N.Croft " I have done a staff news letter for this half term for Every thing we have planned/dates/events/training. As staff were feeling like they didn't know what was going on. I have also wrote weekly room staff meetings in to the shifts so they have the chance to talk within there smaller team. It's half an hour. They all suggest a topic to discuss, one is picked, so they can sort the stuff out that causes issues - so far we have had routine, group time, planning responsibilities. Its working at the moment (touch wood) "
J.Tunnell"Ok this may not be everyone’s cup of tea but my team and I once went to an escape room. It brings out an element of competitiveness but it really helped us all gel!"
E.Thornton "We used to do team builds once a year with the nursery group I used to work for - usually involved a day away... one year we did a ‘sports day’, one year we went to the seaside and had sand castle building competitions, another we did a treasure hunt round London..then after there was always an awards ceremony and drinks.. it was good! I would say as well though that you can do some stuff in your team meetings - do some activities around your joint ‘vision’ and refocus as a team. Good luck!"
There is also another great Facebook group with lots of helpful suggestions in their for supporting staff wellbeing and was set up my the lovely Wendy Barker. Click here
I loved this idea shared by Sonia Mainstone-cotton "I got a team to spend some time as a group planting bulbs in pots, we talked about how their role was to nurture the children and families they work with, but also need to nurture themselves. They were encouraged to take the pot home, nurture it and as they did this ( eg watering it!) think to themselves what do I need to do today to nurture myself. There are still bulbs you can use, iris grow well in pots, or some of the summer bulbs, you can pick some up cheaply in supermarkets and Lidl at the mo!."
Further reading
Promoting Emotional Wellbeing in Early Years Staff: A Practical Guide for Looking After Yourself and Your Colleagues
Sonia Mainstone- Cotton
Wendy Baker Staff Wellbeing Magazine https://guru.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bf47584eedc4049a9d4337fc7&id=52264808d1
Hygge in Early Years Podcast https://www.hyggeintheearlyyears.co.uk/podcasts
Have you tried my FREE Introduction to Hygge Training yet?
Stay connected with news and updates!
Wild Play Environment Audit
Download Here
