Duluth, GA/ April 21, 2011 – ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), an IACET approved and nationally accredited distance training institution dedicated exclusively to the child care industry, presents CCEI951 – Leadership and Mentoring: Growing Your Staff, designed to increase staff retention and effectiveness.

Staff retention is a major concern in the child care industry, which has one of the highest turnover rates of any industry in the U.S. economy. High staff turnover results in increased expenses for recruiting and training, and it takes valuable time away from other duties for directors and administrators. Most importantly, research indicates that stable care is crucial for young children’s healthy development.

Mentoring programs provide motivation and ongoing training, as well as social, emotional, and professional support for employees and have been proven as an effective means of increasing employee retention and satisfaction. This course discusses the different types of mentoring programs, and their varying goals and guidelines, which are important considerations before launching a program.

“Mentoring programs are a proven, cost effective way for child care centers to improve employee retention and motivation. In turn, this improves the educational experiences for young children,” said Maria C. Taylor, President and CEO of CCEI.