Ineffective retention Strategies can lead to employee turnover: Small Business Owners' Effective for Retaining Childcare Workers in Private Daycare Centers

Grounded in job embeddedness theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project identified and explored effective retention strategies used by private childcare business owners to reduce high employee turnover rates. Private childcare business owners who struggle to improve employee retention may find their business confronting attrition as a result. Data were collected through semi structured interviews, public websites, and public documents. Through thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (a) providing competitive rewards and family support; (b) recognizing, developing, and empowering staff; (c) leading visibly to nurture strong relationships and culture; (d) designing operations that stabilize work and sustain quality; and (e) anchoring work in purpose, community, and adaptive growth.