The Importance of Listening During Supervisions 

Written by Becky Haynes, TEYC's Early Years Specialist & Codsall Community Nursery Manager

Talking and listening are important practices that happen daily within the early years setting, and staff supervisions are no different.  

The statutory framework states: 3.27 Providers must put appropriate arrangements in place for the supervision of staff who have contact with children and families. Effective supervision provides support, coaching, and training for the practitioner and promotes the interests of children. Supervision should foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork, and continuous improvement, which encourages the confidential discussion of sensitive issues. 

When your staff are employed at your setting, regular supervisions are important to be able to provide support and coaching, as well as reflection on practice, and future planning both for the setting and for the practitioner.

Listening during supervisions, enables the following to happen:

1. Understanding and Clarity: Active listening ensures that you fully understand the instructions, feedback, and expectations communicated from both the manager and the early years practitioner. This minimises misunderstandings and helps you to be clear on targets that have been set.  

2. Building Relationships: Demonstrating good listening skills fosters a positive relationship between manager and practitioner. It shows respect and value for the input that is being given and ideas being shared. It is very important to ensure that the team have their say, this will allow positive relationships to be built and for the team to feel valued.  

3. Problem-Solving: By listening carefully, you can identify and understand any issues or challenges discussed. This enables you to contribute to problem-solving efforts and develop strategies to overcome obstacles.

4. Feedback Integration: Supervision meetings will enable the team to receive feedback from observations in practice that has been carried out; use two-way reflection, as well as talking about necessary improvements that need to be put in place. Remember to ensure that feedback needs to be constructive, and always end on a positive.  

5. Professional Development: Through attentive listening, you can gain insights into best practices and professional development opportunities. It is important to make notes, discuss and put into place targets so that your team can work towards their long-term and short-term professional development.  

6. Creating a Positive Work Environment: Good listening skills contribute to a supportive and co-operative work environment. It encourages open communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative team dynamic. If your colleagues feel valued this is going to have a positive effect on the team morale, and this will have a positive effect on their work ethic.  

At my nursery, we make our supervisions unique to each individual member of staff, and tailor the support as and when needed, to meet the personal needs/circumstances of the team. When staff first start the setting, they have supervision each month. Once they have passed probation then it goes to every 12 weeks (about 3 months). However, if the staff show poor performance, then supervisions will become more regular. Staff are also informed that if they feel that they need supervision more regularly, to allow for more support, then they are welcome to have them. We also ensure that apprentices have them every four weeks.  

Supervisions are an essential part of building relationships with colleagues and getting to know them. It is also important that colleagues know that they have your undivided attention during these meetings, that there are no distractions, and that they feel listened to and heard, as well as valued for the contribution which they are making.  Supervisions will also build up that safe place for colleagues to be to open up and talk about things that are maybe getting to them and upsetting them, not only professionally but also personally.