Keynotes & training on childcare workforce stability.
Book KateThought Leadership · Onboarding
How to Build a 30/60/90-Day Onboarding Plan for Childcare Staff
Orientation tells people where the forms are. Onboarding shows them how to succeed.
Most childcare programs do not lose new employees because they failed to give them a handbook. They lose them because new staff do not know what is expected, what "good" looks like, where to ask for help, or how to become confident in the role.
Onboarding is a retention strategy, not an administrative task.
Section 1
Orientation is not onboarding.
Orientation
- Forms
- Policies
- Tours
- Licensing paperwork
- Payroll information
- Basic rules
Onboarding
- Belonging
- Classroom confidence
- Skill practice
- Feedback
- Relationships
- Clear priorities
- Increasing independence
Completion is not competence.
— Kate Woodward Young
Section 2 · First 30 Days
What a new employee needs in the first 30 days.
- Clear first-day plan
- Name of a mentor or go-to person
- Safety and supervision expectations
- Classroom routines
- Communication expectations
- Daily check-ins
- What to do when they are unsure
- A realistic picture of the job
Section 3 · Days 31–60
Moving from shadowing to contribution.
- Practice with increasing responsibility
- Observation and feedback
- Understanding the “why” behind routines
- Parent communication boundaries
- Classroom management support
- Identifying remaining confidence gaps
Section 4 · Days 61–90
Building independence and ownership.
- Clear performance conversation
- Goals for continued growth
- Confirmation of strengths
- Honest feedback on gaps
- Development plan
- Conversation about what support is still needed
Section 5
What directors need in order to lead onboarding well.
A director cannot build confidence in others if she is pulled into permanent coverage every day. Onboarding requires coverage, calendar time, and the authority to actually coach.
New employees should not have to guess who decides, what good work looks like, or where to go when they need help.
Free Resource
30/60/90-Day Childcare Staff Onboarding Map
A printable framework you can adapt to your program's roles, ages, and schedule.
Download the FrameworkOnboarding is where retention is won or lost. Build it before you post the next job.
Bring this work to your organization.
Kate Woodward Young helps childcare leaders move from staffing chaos to clearer systems, stronger teams, and more stable programs through keynotes, workshops, leadership retreats, and workforce-development training.
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Plan for a full 90 days. The first 30 build safety and belonging, days 31–60 shift from shadowing to contribution, and days 61–90 confirm independence with an honest performance conversation.