I have recently gone through the process of hiring an ECE for my centre. Hiring new staff is never an easy process. In a small centre, hiring a new ECE is especially difficult. Not only do you need to find someone qualified, that is capable of dealing with the children, they have to fit in with a small group of other staff.
In Ontario, there's an additional requirement that ECE's complete a two-year College Diploma. There's also assistants that can work in a room with a qualified staff, that do not require a diploma. Here are the interview questions that I asked applicants during their interview.
- Please tell us about yourself, focusing on your child care experience
- What three qualities do you feel you would bring to this position?
- What attributes do you admire most about a co-worker?
- What is most important in working in a team?
- Can you tell us of a situation from past experience when you were able to resolve a conflict between yourself and a staff member?
- Being an ECE you have a lot of responsibilities. How do you handle stressful situations?
- The supervisor has left for the day and a parent or yourself has a question? How would you handle this situation?
- What were the biggest pressures on your last job and how did you handle them?
- How would you manage your time while completing the duties of the room as well as being a teacher. Ex: Getting beds out, setting up the tables for lunch and at the same time keeping your eye on the classroom.
- Give me an example of what you feel was one of your most successful program activities?
- Describe the most successful guidance technique you have used.
- Tell me about a time you have had to convey a message to a parent about a negative behaviour of a child, how did you handle it and what was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time you exceeded a job expectation and how you felt about it?
- If you were offered this job when will you be able to start?
- Are you flexible to stay after your shift in case of staff shortages?
- Do you have reliable transportation?
- Are you available to help with extra curricular activities?
Hopefully, this will help any of you in the same situation find the perfect staff for your centre (I know I did).
What else do you like to ask in interviews?
I have also asked questions about what to do in the event of an injury, or serious occurence particularly if the Supervisor is not around.
Oh oh...it's going to be time for another ECE. Just found out that one of my staff is pregnant and will be expecting at the end of August. One of my biggest challenges is finding ECE's in a small rural community. In the past, I've advertised on sites such as Job Banks Canada specifically seeking an ECE. You would not beleive how many responses I get from individuals with no ECE but "have taken the baby sitter course" or "have kids of my own". You've got to be kidding! How can anyone who has taken a two hour baby sitting course or who is a parent (definitely the hardest job in the world) think they can run an effective program for 16 preschoolers? This is where I think in the future the College of ECE's will help us become a more recognized and RESPECTED profession.
Gord, we have the same problem. We are small and rural and no one wants to travel out here for the salary we can offer in daycare. We tend to get a lot of students, which can be great, but there is a limit to how many you can accept at one time. The Job Bank definitely gets us responses, BUT as you said, not qualified. Very frustrating.
this is my first job interview and i need some questios and answers as well.
These questions are about you and your experiences. Do you have a reliable vehicle? Can you stay after your shift if a co-worker has an appointment or is ill? No one can answer them for you. Just be open and honest.
I'm an ECE my question is what the best answers to these questions ..please I'm sooooooo confused
You need to be prepared to answer these questions on your own. You will have a leg up if you research your answers to these questions and others before attending your interview.
These questions are about your education, experiences and life.
These are great questions, & it will sure help me be prepared for an interview! Thank you!
I have some questions for those who are in management within a day care setting. First of, I am and ECE student and I decided to make this career change to eventually open up my own Child Care. I am still going to school and I just sent away for my ECE Certification. I am half way done my course. My question is. I have switched careers from being an Administrative Assistant for 10 years to an ECE and I want to know what types of questions will be asked for and ECE assistant who is still attending school? Are they exactly the types written above this post? I'm nervous because as good as I am marketing myself out to employers on an Administrative level, this is a whole new ball field. I applied at places for volunteer because I really feel I want to get to know different environments before planting my roots. I need the experience before opening my own daycare.
Also, I have a resume but it's all focused on Administrative background. This one facility I applied for volunteer and they do not do volunteer but they are interested in hiring me on as a CASUAL. I am very interested but I'm nervous.
Please help!
Thank you kindly,
Anita
First of all, welcome to an amazing career!
I would say your approach to volunteering is a perfect start. Get some experience, make those network connections and get a good feel for the job.
Take the casual position, it can not hurt and it is something to add to the resume.
As a supervisor, it would be refreshing to have someone come to an interview and say basically what you have said there. I would know right off the bat you were serious about the career and obviously enjoyed children enough to make a major life change. My questions would be similar to the ones above. Focus on behaviour management and creating relationships with families. I woudl be looking for an assistant willing to take intiative and help with program planning as well.
Good Luck!
help me in interview all your question
parinshah, I am not sure what you are asking. If you are looking for answers to the above questions, those are based on your personal experience. Your profile says you are a daycare supervisor. Are you looking for questions to use while interviewing daycare staff?
Hi all!
I've recently have had countless interviews for daycare positions, I have followed these questions and they helped a lot. But I don't like about interviews is the waiting game. My resume is updated..I have lots of experience and qualifications, but nothing..am I doing anything wrong during interviews?