In this webinar we explored the crucial connection between a positive team environment and a center’s profitability and growth in early childhood education. We sat down with Andréa St. Germaine, co-owner of Walden Childcare and dove into key leadership strategies that will impact the success and expansion of your childcare center.  Access the recording below to discover key insights into fostering strong relationships within your team and community, and gain a deeper understanding of effective communication and team-building techniques. Watch Recording To get the recording and slides sen ..read more

As I stepped into a leadership role for the first time, I quickly realized it would be the scariest leap of my professional career. Leadership can feel like such a broad and stale term when we aren’t sure how to connect with the people we are meant to lead. I found myself wondering how my team members would respond to my leadership style… Do I even have a leadership style yet? What is it? Would I be able to handle the challenges leaders and child care professionals inevitably face? What about when I made a mistake, would my team of early childhood educators still trust me? Do I even know how t ..read more

As all early childhood educators are aware, infant childcare settings are busy spaces. Much of the day revolves around attending to children’s needs, whether that involves comforting or feeding them, changing their diapers, or helping them rest. While the quality of care a child receives during these key moments is essential to their healthy growth and development, infant educators know that our youngest learners are highly capable and always absorbing what’s happening in the world around them. Research indicates that reading to infants regularly is predictive of skills development when they e ..read more

Positive relationships between caregiver and child in early childhood education are the cornerstone of a quality learning environment. It is the quality of these relationships that not only sets the foundation for a healthy social-emotional development and overall well-being in early childhood, but also creates a space where children feel accepted, safe and loved. It is through positive and healthy relationships that children begin to discover who they are, and understand themselves in relation to others. Since many young children in child care spend the majority of their week with their early ..read more

Play-based learning is a term used in education to recognize how children learn and begin to discover the world around them through play. It is built on the foundation that child-led play and inquiry based activities are critical components of learning and development in the formative years of early childhood. Play-based learning stood out as the number one teaching methodology being implemented in early childhood education in 2024. The concept of play-based learning is not new to any educator and it’s popularity in preschool curriculum has surged due to how it authentically encourages young c ..read more

Prioritizing mental health for early childhood educators is essential, given the pivotal role they have in shaping young children’s developmental paths and the significant emotional support they provide in a child’s early years. Childcare providers serve as the foundation upon which children’s meaningful learning experiences are built, shaping each layer of a child’s development. By ensuring the mental well-being of educators, we create environments where they can foster nurturing relationships, provide consistent and compassionate care, and effectively manage the diverse needs of younger chil ..read more

In this webinar we sat down with two experienced childcare directors, both managing centers with over 120 children enrolled, as well as Lillio’s CEO, Kai-leé Berke! We dove into the key findings from this year’s industry snapshot report Building The Future of Early Childhood Education: 2024 Industry Snapshot Report. We explored emerging educational strategies, uncovered how technology is shaping childcare practices, learned effective parent communication strategies and gained valuable insights into operational best practices. Our Special Guests: Tirusha Dave | Founder | Ellie’s ..read more

In today’s modern landscape of early childhood development, the importance of soft skills such as empathy and kindness are becoming even more critical. As society evolves, so do the complex social dynamics we live in, making empathy a cornerstone of emotional intelligence. Kindness, rooted in empathy, fosters inclusive communities where every child feels valued and accepted. By prioritizing these values in early childhood education, we equip children with the tools they need to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world. Supporting children in building a strong emotional intelligence during ..read more

As an early childhood professional, it’s important to create both a deep sense of compassion and empathy for your young students, as well as maintaining appropriate boundaries. But considering that close relationships are integral to early childhood development, how do you find the right balance between being nurturing and setting limits? Navigating the delicate balance between fostering nurturing relationships and setting essential boundaries is a common challenge for early childhood professionals. As caregivers, cultivating compassion and empathy for young learners is intrinsic to their deve ..read more

In the busy world of early childhood education and childcare management, where time is a precious commodity, the role of a childcare director extends beyond the nurturing and development of young children. Balancing an array of responsibilities, ranging from navigating center administration, maintaining compliance with licensing requirements, handling invoicing, and fostering effective communication with families, childcare directors can often find themselves in a constant race against the clock. This blog will explore time-saving strategies for childcare directors and educators. As we explore ..read more