Round Table Conversations

Over the past two decades, paperwork, checklists and stressful schedules have come to dominate the day in early years environments. What is the message to educators, children, and families about how they are viewed in this context? Supervisors describe the endless “onboarding” paperwork and challenges to keep and develop qualified staff. Educators report burnout, anxiety, and pressure to complete too many tasks in a day, indicating a need to change our workplace cultures. What tasks get top priority, and what gets put on the back burner, even while we hunger for authentic engagement? When educators are compelled to comply rather than research, create and design, should we be surprised at burnout? How can we redesign days and responsibilities so time is spent on what really matters? What structures are getting in our way, and where/how do we nurture the joy and spark in our work? Supervisors and mid-career educators may be especially positioned to contribute to this Round Table – of course, all are welcome!