Thanks for being on our cover list, or for coming in for a trial shift. Here are some quick guidelines that will help you have a successful day with us!

• Introduce yourself to parents who come in – tell them your name and how long you are here for. “Hello I am Joni, I will be here in pre-school until lunchtime today”
• Make sure you know the names of the other team members in your room, take time to introduce yourself and even tell them a little about you
• Focus on the work, and being with the children – try not to chit chat to the staff during the shift
• The regular/permanent staff should open the front door to parents – please do not open the door as you do not know the parents, and they do not know you
• Try not to disturb the children when they are playing or engaged in something
• Only hug the children if they are upset or in need of a hug – not just because they are ‘cute’ – no kissing!
• Stay at the children’s level – do not pick up or carry around the children (unless lifting them to the changing table) – no children on ‘hips’ being carried around please!
• Try to avoid sitting on the children’s chairs or furniture – these are designed for children, not adults! Instead sit on the floor or on your knees, with a cushion if needed
• Try to use positive langue (state what you want/need the child to do), avoid saying ‘no’, or ‘don’t’ (instead of NO PUSHING, try “Be gentle with your friends”, instead of “Don’t take that inside” try “keep that outside”
• At sleep time, children must lay in their beds, if needed you can pat them gently for a short while. Do not hold children or babies in your arms to comfort them to sleep
• Children do not share cups, bottles or dummies – find each child’s own equipment – if you are not sure – ask a permanent team member
• When changing children, wash every your hands before and after EVERY change (with soap), each child has their own changing mat – you must use their own. Change  children at the set times, or when they have made a poo
• All cleaning fluids and hazardous materials MUST be kept on a high shelf, you cannot bring them down even for a second. Spray, and put it straight back.
• Find out about special needs of the children – ask the permanent staff – allergies, disabilities and behaviour issues – especially watch out for biters!
• Listen and take your lead from the permanent staff, but never wait for instructions – ask ask ask!
• Be a good role model for the children; they will copy you!
• Try never to keep children waiting for anything – have snack already out as they approach the table, be ready and waiting for them at circle or story time
• Sit with the children whilst they are eating, and talk to them! Share stories about you and your life! Hand and song rhymes are also good!
• Pick a language and stick to it! We are a bilingual nursery – we speak Hebrew and English. You should speak either Hebrew or English – but never ever mix. You work the WHOLE shift in the same language. If you have another language (like Turkish or Spanish) you can sing songs with the children in other languages – we encourage this
• Please leave your shoes outside, and do not enter the gan in shoes

Feel free to browse the rest of the staff portal, this will help you get more of a sense of who we are, how we work and what we expect!