Skills to Use for Addressing a Work-Related Task

Communication Skills

  • Active Listening: One of the most important communication skills in the early years sector. Understand the parents’ concerns and children’s needs by attending to what is being said without planning your response.

  • Clear Articulation: Ability to pass across ideas or issues related to children’s development to parents, carers and co-workers in an understandable manner.

  • Non-Verbal Communication: Utilise body language, eye contact, and gestures to constructively engage with children, colleagues and parents.

Collaboration and Teamwork Skills

  • Cooperation: Work together with other staff members to provide a healthy and safe environment for children. Share resources, ideas and responsibilities to meet common goals.

  • Conflict Resolution: Manage disagreements between children, or between staff and parents in a positive manner, ensuring everyone feels heard and respected.

  • Respecting Diversity: Recognise and respect the diversity of the children, parents, and co-workers. Adapt practices and approaches according to individual needs and cultural backgrounds.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

  • Analytical Thinking: Use observations and assessments of children’s behaviour and progress to inform planning and decision-making.

  • Problem-Solving: Efficiently address children’s learning issues or behavioural challenges with creative and effective solutions.

  • Decision-Making: Make informed choices regarding children’s well-being and safety, taking into account all relevant factors.

Organisational and Time Management Skills

  • Planning and Prioritising: Plan daily activities and set priorities to make the best use of time and resources, ensuring children’s needs are met.

  • Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of each child’s development, any incidents, and interactions with parents.

  • Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing situations or unexpected obstacles in daily routines, maintaining a positive and constructive attitude.

Interpersonal Skills

  • Empathy and Understanding: Understand and respond to the feelings and perspectives of children and their parents.

  • Patience and Tolerance: Maintaining composure in challenging situations, dealing with children’s unpredictability and coping with varying demands of parents.

  • Building Relationships: Foster positive and supportive relationships with colleagues, children and their families, promoting a constructive and trusting environment.