Global Montessori Schools has received a 2008 WorkLife BC Award of Merit in the small workplace category.
Global Montessori Schools cares for babies to 12-year olds but there is another important group of people who also get special attention: their employees.
A collaboration of two private child care businesses and one non-profit society that operates elementary school programs, Global Montessori Schools offers a range of flexible options for their 20 employees.
“As a management team, we recognize that child care is becoming more competitive and there is a true talent shortage of early childhood educators and Montessori trained teachers. We know that supporting our employees in as many ways as we can – both formally and informally – will enable our organization to be a great place to work.”
To that end, they do everything possible to support their staff. When a new elementary teacher first joined the school, she had her children enrolled in a community music class. Rather than having to forego the classes, she was able to leave the school several times a week to attend them. Her hours were not reduced – her schedule was adjusted so this request could be accommodated. When the teacher had another child, she brought the infant to work every day. Her older son also attended the program for three to five year-olds. It gave her great peace of mind to have her children close by when she was at work and the school retained a valuable employee.
All employees are able to take part in flexible work hours, and non-teaching staff can work from home if they choose to. They maximize the use of technology and ensure the management team is equipped to work from home. They frequently have web-cam meetings.
Children are not only welcome at work, but often become part of the classroom. A recent Grade 7 graduate became a much loved helper in the infant-toddler program as well as in her own mom’s all-day Montessori child care classes. Their door is always open to family members’ children.
