Describe the process and strategies you would use to support the team allocated to you, to promote cohesion, participation and high-functioning performance. (bullet points) In your response, include:

Describe the process you would use to orient the team to align with Little Catalysts ELC objectives, philosophy and principles. Describe how you would support the team in defining their roles for the project, using the strengths of each team member. Provide an overview of what you would introduce the team to regarding Design Thinking to start this project. I.e., How would you develop a shared understanding and arrive at a challenge-statement to solve? (Empathise and Define stages) Explain how your approach would support team cohesion.

Case Study 2b - Starting Design Thinking for team collaboration

In preparation for your leadership role with a work team to innovate, Carol wants to review your understanding of the Design Thinking process, to ensure you feel confident in guiding a team through it. She wants you to go through with her how you would use the steps to establish a team and target a recent challenge/idea that came up in the last staff meeting. Here's a reminder of what was said in the meeting.

Anthony (Preschool 1 Room Leader P1) and Kirrily (Preschool 2 Room Leader P2) raised the topic that almost half of the children in each of their rooms no longer require a sleep and become quite restless, even when provided with individual quiet activities. They proposed that children from both rooms be split into two groups - sleepers and non-sleepers. 'Non-sleepers' could be in P1 room, with any other children no longer requiring afternoon sleeps and the 'sleepers' could be all located in P2 room.

They suggested that an intentional teaching program focusing on STEM could be offered in P1. Anthony and Kirrily said they thought this would provide an interesting new challenge for educators and children alike, with an opportunity to work collaboratively to build new skills and knowledge.

When this idea was presented at the staff meeting, several of the educators were in support of the idea but a few were undecided or disagreed with it.

Carol would like you to work with Anthony, Kirrily, Jane, Marika, Ky and Jithin to explore this idea using Design Thinking methodology. Ky, Jithin (JT) and Jane have reservations about making this idea work. Anthony and Kirrily have been room leaders of the pre-school room for 3 and 5 years respectively and have strong relationships with the families, as well as long-term knowledge about running of these rooms. Anthony recently completed a STEM professional development training for pre-schoolers. He and Kirrily have been discussing this for several months.

JT is a dedicated educator and works very hard in the kindergarten room. Currently he is juggling multiple roles (educator, studying part-time to achieve Diploma of ECEC, and caring for elderly parents).

Ky has been working in early childhood education and care as an administrator for nearly 25 years and has seen a lot. Ky has stated how hard it is to resource staffing at the moment and is concerned about anything that could impact staffing requirements. There are simply not enough people to go around at the moment, let alone spare.

Marika has recently applied for approval for a new garden project in the outdoor area and is concerned that if focus is put on this project, her project could be delayed until next year.

Jane is highly supportive of innovation in the service and is willing to do anything she can to help. Her skills are in relationship building. She's known as the 'warm heart' in the service. Everyone loves 'Miss Jane', children, families and staff alike. Jane often brings flowers to work and loves making the service rooms look beautiful with different art displays.