Was just wondering if anyone out there could have a look at my 'devised orientation program' for a trainee.
There are a couple of questions that I have not yet attempted, only because I am not sure what they are asking me. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas after reading this , it would offer a great deal of help to me as I am finishing up my Diploma very soon (HOPEFULLY)!
Thank you in advance kind fellow educators
Identify and prioritise the information to be provided to the trainee over the two month period. For example policies and procedures, job description, WHS requirements etc
Provide an overview of the Service’s History and present operation, as well as expectations and commitments (Vision, Mission Statement, Values and Beliefs and Philosophy of the service) - also ensure new employee is aware of the Governance and Management Structure of the service, whether it be a community, government or family daycare run service
Introduce person to service’s polices and procedures, workplace health and safety regulations/issues relevant, and supervision ratios/requirements. Ensure they are aware of the access they have to policies and procedures (where can they access them)
Explain the types of education and care the service provides ; Long day care, sessional Kindergarten or after hours care and explain which of these the new employee will be working in
Escort person through the entire service (courtyards, classrooms, kitchen, staff room, laundry/cleaning room etc) - introduce to all educators, pointing out specific areas or classes, introduce to the OH&S representative
Introduce new employee to his/her job description and its duties; including the routines, shifts and tasks e.g. Opening Shift duties - 7.15-3.45
- Only enter the service with another employee. For safety reasons never enter alone.
- Turn off alarm system
- Unlock internal and external doors
- Put chairs down in all rooms
- Open blinds
- Turn on heaters in winter or air conditioner in summer
- Put water bottles through wash cycle
Ensure employee is aware of the practical experience placements the service provides for students throughout the year. Ensure he/she understands that they are required to have professional discussions with the students about their practice, observe experiences that have been planned by the students, provide feedback in the students book or liaise with the students facilitator (educators are expected to take on the role of mentor when they have a student assigned to their team)
Explain that employees at the service strive to have a professional attitude each day (reflect on the Values and Behaviours document as a guide towards professionalism) Also ensure he/she is aware of the appropriate professional attire (see Code of Conduct Policy)
Describe the range of strategies you will use to introduce the trainee to the information.
Upon arriving at the service the trainee will receive a Staff Orientation Handbook, including an overview of the Service’s History and Present Operations, Governance and Management Structure, the expectations and commitments of the service which are underpinned in the service’s Vision, Mission Statement, Values and Behaviours and Philosophy. The handbook also references the National Quality Standards, Education and Care Regulations, Awards (VECTAA or Professional Childcare Standards) and touches on the services policies and where they can be accessed.
I will also be using communication techniques while giving the trainee a tour of the service grounds. Explaining the daily operations/duties or routines such as laundry duties, nappies or general cleaning of the rooms. Through this discussion I am also able to communicate the roles of the other employees belonging to the service and who the trainee will need to report to, the hours of work and procedure of recording hours of work, meal and tea breaks, the payment method, first pay date and how payslips are distributed and performance expectations and when and how performance will be reviewed.
This is also a time I can bring up workplace policies and procedures including Code of conduct Policy (uniform), Bullying/harassment and anti-discrimination policies, procedure for applying for leave and procedure if the employee is sick or running late.
Describe the strategies you will use to assist the trainee to understand how the information is applied to practice.
Review the trainee’s orientation program and ensure the trainee understands and can apply the information.
Identify the resources (human and physical) that you will need to access as part of the orientation program. For example, Educators, supervisor, EYLF, centre’s philosophy etc
The service’s Director, program coordinator, educators and other staff belonging to the service. Documents such as the EYLF, Education and Care National Law and Regulations, ECA code of ethics, Convention on the rights of the child, and documents/guidelines created by the service; Philosophy, Vision, Mission Statement and Values and Behaviours.
Research a learning style model, for example Neil Fleming’s VAK (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic) model and explain how each of the three learning styles influences the way individuals learn. a training method to address each learning style in your orientation program.
Neil Fleming’s VARK model of student learning is an acronym that refers to the four types of learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing Preference, and Kinaesthetic. The model acknowledges that individuals have different approaches to how they process information, referred to as the “preferred learning modes”.
Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps and graphic organisers to access and understand new information. Auditory learners best understand new content through listening and speaking in situations such as lectures and group discussion. Aural learners use repetition as a study technique and benefit from the use of mnemonic devices.
Individuals with a strong reading/writing preference learn best through words. These people may present themselves as copious note takers or avid readers, and are able to translate abstract concepts into words and essays.
Individuals who are kinaesthetic learners best understand information through tactile representations of information. These people are hands-on learners and learn best through figuring things out by hand (ie. understanding how a clock works by putting one together)
Explain how your orientation program takes into account the viewpoints and training needs of those from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as caters for those with differing physical and mental abilities.
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