💡 This Week’s Thought

What Problems Are You Preventing Others From Solving?

There’s a fine line between supporting your team and consistently handling problems that shouldn’t be yours to solve, whether you are carrying others’ emotions, tasks, or responsibilities. Over time, compensating for your team can slowly become the norm, and then the expectation. People begin to realize that while they could do the work, there’s less urgency if you’ll step in and do it for them.

Most of the time, this isn’t intentional on anyone’s part. It just happens, little by little. So this week, I would like you to take a moment to notice where you’re stepping in out of habit instead of necessity. What should others be doing that you have started doing for them? Where can your team, or co-workers, attempt to solve their own problems first? There are lessons for everyone in uncomfortable moments, and when we rush to fix things for our team, we often take those lessons away.

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✨ Something to Use

For those who may have missed it, the January 2026 Monthly Resource Toolkit dropped last week! This is a resource I created specifically to help childcare leaders reduce their mental load each month. Inside, you’ll find pre-written content to jump-start your staff and family newsletters, a staff learning spotlight, and several ideas for connecting with families in the month ahead, complete with timelines and printables to make implementation as easy as possible.

And yes, it’s all free. Be sure to check it out below!

January 2026 Toolkit

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Send your monthly newsletter

With the first full week in January upon us, it is time to send your monthly newsletter to families! And if you haven’t yet started a monthly newsletter to your staff, this is the perfect time to give it a shot. This can be fun and lighthearted or include important reminders, depending on what you most need to communicate to your team each month.

II. Refresh your space after the holidays

Now that the holidays are wrapped up, ensure any holiday themed decorations or child artwork you may have put out are taken down and sent home, or packed away for next December. This includes holiday themed art, decorations, or themed signs/planters. If you want to replace this with something new, lean into the blues/whites, or channel some new year “clean slate” energy with neutrals and a “less is more” mindset.

III. Start thinking about your 2026 annual training plan

Yes… I know you probably just finished up 2025 annual training documentation and tracking. But as you look ahead to your 2026 professional development days, now is a great time to sketch out what mandatory trainings you want to cover at each one. Once those are mapped out, you’ll have a clearer sense of how much time is left for optional or enrichment training. Then you can start reaching out to trainers early, especially if your first PD day is coming up soon!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

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🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

Inside, you’ll find resources that help you connect with staff and families in simple, meaningful ways. The Staff Learning Spotlight focuses on an (updated) printable, The Art of Observation. This offers practical, grounded ways for staff to notice what’s really happening in classrooms and to use that information to respond with intention. It’s reflective, actionable, and designed to spark real conversation.

You’ll also get pre-written newsletters for both staff and families that you can copy, paste, and adjust as needed, plus easy engagement ideas for the month. Do them all, or just choose one! But I do my best to create ways that build connection without requiring extra prep, planning meetings, or late nights.

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These toolkits aren’t classroom activity packets. They’re created specifically for directors who want to strengthen relationships with parents, set the tone, and support their teams while juggling everything else that comes with the role.

If January ever feels long, this toolkit gives you one less thing to think about. And a few thoughtful ways to start the year feeling steady and supported.

AND IT IS FREE! So download it, use what works for your center, and if you find it helpful, I would be so grateful if you would subscribe and share it with another director!

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January 2026 Monthly Resource Toolkit

7.28MB ∙ PDF file

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Check Out A Sneak Peek!

For people outside the childcare world, the claims can feel convincing. Dramatic footage paired with a confident narrator makes it easy to accept the story without asking deeper questions, especially when the claims are amplified by politicians and commentators with a wider reach. The narrative also taps into an existing frustration around government spending and accountability.

But for those of us who work in childcare, as directors, providers, owners, educators, and administrators, the situation raises a different kind of concern. None of us believe fraud should be ignored. What is unsettling is how easily accusations can be made, spread, and acted upon without evidence. And how quickly those accusations can impact real children, families, workers, and entire communities.

This post is an attempt to slow things down and focus on what we actually know, what we don’t, and why critical thinking matters more than ever in a viral media environment.

A Few Important Things to Note

Before going further, it’s important to say this clearly. Fraud has occurred in Minnesota in recent years, and it is being investigated.

Federal prosecutors uncovered large-scale misuse of public funds across multiple programs, most notably in the Feeding Our Future case, which involved more than $250 million in misappropriated federal child nutrition funds and resulted in indictments and convictions. Federal and state authorities continue to investigate potential misuse of public funds across several programs that support children and families.

It is also worth noting that there have been legislative efforts in Minnesota to increase funding for fraud prevention in the state, as recently as this past spring. However, members on the Minnesota House State Government Finance & Policy Committee blocked the advancement of the bill. That decision adds important context to the current claims that the state has failed to take fraud seriously.

While this is important historical context, it is not what this post is about. This post is not questioning whether fraud exists or whether it should be investigated. Fraud should be uncovered, misused funds should be recovered, and programs operating illegally should be held accountable through proper legal channels.

This post is about a viral video, and the way allegations in that video have been presented, amplified, and treated as fact without verified evidence.

What’s Being Claimed (and What Isn’t Shown)

I watched the video so you don’t have to, and the reporting quality is even weaker than I expected.

The video features a content creator, Nick Shirley, who alleges that several Somali run Minnesota daycare centers are committing fraud by billing the state for children who are not present, based largely on brief, surface-level observations made during his visits.

The format follows a predictable pattern. He and a man identified as David, share figures showing how much funding each daycare center received over recent years. They then arrive at the centers, accompanied by a small crew (who is dressed in black and wearing face coverings) and ask staff how many children are present or attempt to enter the building. When staff do not answer the door, decline to engage, or refuse entry (which is not only appropriate but expected in licensed childcare settings), Shirley adds the full amount of funding the center received to an on-screen “fraud counter.”

What the video does not provide is just as important.

All of the so-called “evidence” presented relies on the creators’ own assumptions and moment-in-time observations, occasionally supplemented by comments from passersby or public data about funding and capacity. No billing records, attendance logs, audits, citations, or official findings are shown. Instead, the video substitutes implication for proof, presenting speculation as evidence.

Childcare fraud, like any serious allegation, cannot be established by visiting a facility at a single point in time or through informal questioning by unverified individuals. Attendance varies by hour and by day. Programs operate on different schedules. Some offer part-day care, flexible enrollment, or combined classrooms.

Additionally, a daycare director or owner refusing to allow unknown individuals into their building, or declining to answer private operational questions, is not a sign of guilt. It is appropriate and responsible practice. Childcare professionals are trained to protect children’s safety, privacy, and confidentiality. Allowing strangers into a licensed childcare environment or discussing enrollment, attendance, or billing with unverified individuals would violate basic safeguarding standards.

The correct response when someone shows up unannounced asking questions about children, operations, or funding is to decline and refer them to proper regulatory or legal channels.

Follow-up reporting found that most of the centers featured in the video had active licenses, and in some cases, children were present the same day the video suggested the site was “empty.” That does not prove innocence, but it does undermine certainty.

At this point, there has been no public audit or court ruling confirming the scale or certainty of daycare fraud alleged in the video. Yet, it appears that in the current world of ours, proof seems to matter less than perception. Especially when the claims reinforce an existing bias.

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Why This Moment Feels So Charged

When something spreads this quickly, it’s worth asking why?

The video emerged during a moment of heightened attention to fraud and immigration concerns in Minnesota, and primarily focused on Somali communities. It gained traction amid a broader political focus on government spending and oversight and was created as the state approaches a competitive gubernatorial election.

Stories don’t spread in a vacuum. They move faster when they align with existing fears, frustrations, or political narratives. And when there are incentives for them to do so.

Viral content benefits the person who creates it. Attention translates into views, followers, ad revenue, and influence. In this case, the creator will likely gain both financially and publicly from the reach of the video. That alone doesn’t make the claims false, but it does mean there is something to gain from how the story is framed, and that will inherently change how a story is reported.

Political narratives can benefit as well. Claims that appear to confirm concerns about government oversight or spending quickly become useful talking points, especially during an election cycle.

In this particular case, Minnesota Republican state leader Lisa Demuth has publicly stated that she and members of her caucus directed the YouTuber behind the video to specific daycare locations. And this is where context matters, since Demuth is also running for governor against Tim Walz in the upcoming election, and a viral story like this could help her campaign.

These facts do not prove misconduct, and I am not suggesting this was done solely for political gain. What they do show is that this was not an independent discovery rooted in a neutral effort to uncover fraud. The locations were selected, and the framing, timing, and visuals were constructed in ways that guide the viewer toward a particular conclusion.

For example, a viewer would reasonably assume the visits took place during normal operating hours, otherwise the entire premise of the video would fall apart. Yet when Nick Shirley was asked by a CNN reporter whether he visited during standard operating hours, he responded, “I came at 11… a.m. I believe. And I also came the following day, later in the day. The point of it is not whether or not I came at the right time of their operation hours, the point is, blacked-out doors, they can’t give you any information, you call that number, no one answers.”

But if the claim is that a daycare is operating fraudulently, and without children in attendance the timing of the visit is foundational to his argument. Arriving outside of normal operating days or hours completely undermines the conclusion being drawn.

When the reporter followed up by asking, “Surely you don’t think a daycare should just be unlocked, you shouldn’t be able to just walk into a daycare,” Shirley responded, “There should be reception.” The reporter clarified that licensed daycare facilities are locked for safety reasons, to which Shirley replied, “Fair point.”

Publishing an exposé on the childcare industry without understanding one of its most basic safety protocols should prompt viewers to question what else Shirley may not understand about the system he claims to have uncovered.

This dynamic is not unique to this video. All media, traditional and new, makes choices about what to highlight and how to present it. Those choices shape how a story feels before facts are fully examined. And in a politically charged moment, especially when one community is disproportionately centered, the need for evidence and careful evaluation becomes even more important.

If you are wondering where the media you consume falls on the bias scale, I highly recommend checking out Ad Fontes Media, a tool to help people navigate the complex media landscape and combat political polarization.

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What Happens When Claims Move Faster Than Facts

Another part of this story is what has not happened.

If the claims are as definitive as presented, and truly aimed at stopping fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars, there should be data to support them. And no… listing the amount of state funding a childcare center received and then adding that total to a “fraud counter” when staff will not grant strangers access to vulnerable children is not evidence of fraud. It is a misuse of public data paired with assumption.

When allegations involve public funds and licensed institutions, transparency strengthens credibility. Providing records, allowing claims to be examined, and grounding accusations in verifiable evidence are the foundations of accountability. When we choose to hear only what confirms our assumptions, rather than doing the work to verify what we’re watching, we create the conditions for weak reporting to go viral.

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Who Pays the Price

Viral content benefits the person who creates it and political narratives gain strength when reinforced by dramatic visuals and storytelling. That can lead to certainty and judgment spreading quickly when claims are framed as already proven. But the true cost is carried by others.

Childcare providers whose names or locations are shared publicly face reputational harm. Families relying on subsidies may lose care. Staff face instability. And communities, particularly our Somali community, absorb suspicion long before any findings are released. Just yesterday, a Somali-owned daycare center in Minneapolis, one that was not featured in the video, was broken into and extensively vandalized, with important papers stolen. These are the real repercussions of treating allegations as fact before evidence exists.

Another cost that will be carried by providers if child care funding freezes or additional verification requirements roll out across states is operational. In response, many people ask, “Shouldn’t providers just show proof? Why aren’t they already doing that?”

But providers are already required to submit documentation to support enrollment, attendance, and compliance tied to the funding they receive, and all are subject to unannounced licensing visits. The issue is not whether documentation exists or if there are ways to improve the reporting. It’s how new requirements are imposed and who is expected to manage them. Child care programs are not staffed or funded to suddenly absorb new layers of daily documentation, real-time uploads, or expanded verification without additional resources. Every new requirement takes time, labor, technology, and training (none of which are free) and all of which are absorbed by programs already operating on razor-thin margins. When funding is paused or delayed while systems change, providers are still responsible for payroll, rent, utilities, and staffing, even as reimbursement timelines become uncertain.

These consequences occur before investigations conclude, regardless of outcomes. And when unverified claims are shared as fact, everyone spreading them become part of the harm, and the burden falls on providers and families to absorb the fallout, based on suspicion alone.

My Hope Looking Forward

So as we move into a new year, my hope is simple.

I hope more of us pause before reacting.
I hope more of us look closely at where information comes from, why it’s being shared, and who benefits from how it’s framed.
And I hope we all get better at being critical thinkers, especially when we feel justified because a story confirms something we already believe.

Because if any of us were on the receiving end of a public, viral accusation, shared widely before facts were established, we would want the same courtesy extended to us.

We would want evidence, due process, and the hope that people would choose to slow down before deciding who we are.

None of this is an argument against accountability.

If fraud exists, it should be uncovered. If public funds are being misused, that should be addressed fully and transparently. If a childcare facility is not operating safely, ethically, or within the law, it should absolutely be shut down.

But those decisions cannot be dictated by public opinion or viral momentum, they need to be determined using facts and evidence.

Childcare is already one of the most regulated, scrutinized, and under-supported industries in this country. It cannot withstand being governed by implication rather than proof. We all can, and should, do better.

If you’re a leader in early childhood education reading this and feeling tired, protective, or on edge, you’re not wrong to feel that way. This work is already hard enough without being turned into a headline. This space is for early childhood leaders who want thoughtful conversation and practical resources to support the work. You’re welcome to subscribe below (it’s free).

💡 This Week’s Thought

The pace you set shapes the pace everyone feels

December tends to push all of us into GO MODE. More questions are coming your way, it feels like there are more decisions to make, and there is always the year end wrap up that needs to happen. And when you start moving faster, your whole building usually speeds up with you. However, that means the opposite is also true! When you slow yourself down (even a little) walking instead of rushing, speaking a little more calmly, not reacting the second something pops up, everyone else settles a bit too.

This week, try noticing the pace you’re bringing into the day. The work will still get done, but the tone of the whole building can shift in a really good way when you move just a little more steadily.

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✨ Something to Use

If you were here around Thanksgiving, you may remember the Holiday Attendance Trackers. Now is the perfect time to pull them back out and hang them on classroom doors! These simple sheets are an easy way for families to let you know when they are planning to attend on the days you’re open over the holidays. Directors who use them swear by how much smoother their staffing plans become. When you know exactly who will be out you can build a realistic schedule, and approve more PTO, which makes everyone happy.

If you need the templates again (or missed them the first time), I’ve linked them below along with a quick overview of how to use them.

Holiday Attendance Trackers

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Plan and order staff holiday gifts

Whether you have a large budget, or none at all, the holidays are the perfect time to show your team how much you appreciate them. A simple, handwritten card is a wonderful way to do this if your budget is tight this year. Another easy and inexpensive option (also one of my favorites) is making these stovetop potpourri mason jars for my team!

If you have ideas that your staff have loved, please share in the comments below as inspiration for your fellow Directors!

II. Begin building your holiday staffing schedule

Once you have started collecting family attendance plans for the holiday weeks, you can use that data to approve more PTO, adjust schedules, and begin piecing together your winter staffing plan. The earlier you start this dreaded task, the easier it is to communicate expectations and avoid last-minute surprises.

If you have days where coverage is tight or staff are less excited to work, consider adding small morale boosters. This can be a coffee bar, a pizza lunch, a scavenger hunt with prizes, or a simple thank-you gift. Your dependable team members often carry the extra load during holiday weeks, and a little appreciation goes a long way.

III. Set up your lost & found table

If you are following along with our December events, tomorrow is Lost & Found Day! It is the perfect excuse to send a reminder to families about lost and found items, create a central location to put everything that has been collected this fall, and get a few things cleared out before the new year. Remember to use the Lost & Found printable I included in December’s Resource Toolkit to make this even easier!

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

And yes… you are getting two emails from me today. I try not to overwhelm your inbox, but Thanksgiving week did a number on my free time with all three kids home and demanding full attention. It was fun! Just not exactly productive… Which means here we are, catching up together 🤪 So let’s get to this week’s planner!

💡 This Week’s Thought

“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.” —Galileo

There’s quite a bit of research showing that feedback alone rarely changes behavior. What does make a difference is helping people discover the next step for themselves. When someone feels ownership over an idea, they’re far more likely to act on it. In early childhood leadership, this plays out every single day. Teachers learn more from watching how you handle a hard conversation, redirect a child, or stay calm during chaos than from any amount of emailed reminders or written notes.

It’s a good reminder this month that how we show up often teaches more than anything we say. Leading with steadiness, curiosity, and consistency helps your team do the same. And as we move into the wildness of December, your tone, pacing, and presence might just be the thing that keeps the whole building grounded.

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✨ Something to Use

It’s a new month, which means it’s time for December’s Monthly Resource Toolkit! For our newest members, this monthly toolkit is created specifically for childcare directors as a way to support your work with staff and families. It’s not a set of activities for teachers to use in their classrooms. Instead, it’s meant to make connection, communication, and team building easier on top of everything else you’re already managing.

Inside, you’ll find a Staff Learning Spotlight you can use in your monthly meeting or hang in the lounge, pre-written newsletter content for both families and staff, and simple celebrations you can lean on to build community without adding hours of prep to your plate. Click below to download!

Monthly Resource Toolkit

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Send your monthly newsletter

It’s the start of December, which means it’s time to connect with families and staff about the month ahead. Share important dates (especially with closures coming up!), reminders, and a little warmth as we head into the busiest stretch of the year. If you use my monthly toolkit, feel free to copy and paste my newsletter example, making any edits needed for your center!

II. Ensure annual staff trainings are complete

This is the perfect week to double-check that all annual training requirements for your staff are finished or scheduled. I typically throw all of my staff names into a google sheet with the mandatory trainings listed in columns at the top. I enter the dates throughout the year as the trainings are completed, which makes it easy to see who is missing what! December gets chaotic fast, and nothing is worse than the end-of-year scramble to track down one missing certificate.

III. Double-check your winter supplies

Even if you’ve already seen snow this year, now is the time to make sure you’re fully restocked for round two, three, and four. Check that you have:

• Ice melt or salt

• Shovels

• Snow brushes (it is nice to keep a bin of these near the front for parents to borrow!)

• Entryway rugs or mats

• Extra gloves, socks, and hats for kids

• Working boot trays

• Wet clothing bags

And while you’re at it, give your entryway a quick seasonal spruce-up. Families notice when the front door feels warm and inviting, especially if you are located somewhere where pick-up and drop-off is now done in the dark!

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

The December Resource Toolkit is designed to help you get through one of the busiest months of the year with a little more ease and a lot more joy. This month’s collection includes simple, meaningful activities, ready-to-use printables, and pre-written content you can plug directly into your family or staff newsletters. Everything is created with one goal in mind: helping you build connection and community without adding extra work to your plate.

Inside this month’s toolkit, you’ll find:

• Holiday & Winter Celebration Ideas
Thoughtful, easy-to-implement ideas for celebrating the Winter Solstice, hosting a staff gingerbread house contest, and adding small seasonal touches that feel special without being overwhelming.

• Pre-Written Newsletter Content
Short, clear blurbs you can copy into your December newsletters, including updates, reminders, and supportive tips for families navigating this busy month at home.

• Printables & Visuals
Beautifully designed pages for solstice quotes, voting slips, gingerbread contest rules, theme ideas, and other seasonal activities you can use in classrooms or post in shared spaces.

• Staff Learning Spotlight: The Power of Storytelling
This month’s professional learning focus explores how storytelling strengthens language development, builds classroom connections, and supports emotional regulation. You’ll find a Director overview plus a printable for your staff lounge to help teachers weave more meaningful stories into their daily routines.

The goal of this toolkit is simple: to make each month feel more manageable, more connected, and a little more magical for you, your staff, and your families.

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December 2025 Monthly Resource Toolkit

9MB ∙ PDF file

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If you find this toolkit helpful, the best way to support this work is simply to share it with other leaders in early childhood. Word of mouth is how our little community grows, and I’m so grateful every time you pass these resources along to someone who might need them.

Subscribe for free to join the Director’s Collective and receive every new resource directly to your inbox!

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Thank you for supporting my work!

Thanksgiving week always slows the world down just enough that we have time to notice the people who make our days possible. We think about teachers, caregivers, coaches, parents, neighbors, and all of those who are part of our village.

This also means that, every year around this time, I find myself thinking about the person most families may not think to add to that list, even though their work shapes your child’s most formative years. The Director or School Leader at your child’s daycare, center or school.

So today, I want to make space for them and share some of the unseen work they do each day, with the hope that it gives a little insight into the critical role they play in your village.

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You do get glimpses into their world. It may be a smiling face as you walk through the door in the morning, a call when your child spikes a fever, or a monthly newsletter talking about the amazing things happening in the classrooms.

• But what you don’t see is the director already working at six in the morning trying to rebuild the daily schedule after multiple callouts, often while getting themselves and their own children out the door.

• You don’t see the conversation with the teacher who almost quit because she feels like she is failing, or the quiet mediating between a classroom team who is trying their best but struggling to get on the same page.

• You don’t see them pulling on boots and a jacket for the third time during a snowstorm to shovel the sidewalk so families can get in safely. Or plunging a toilet before it overflows into a classroom.

• You don’t see them trying to answer your email for the third day in a row, and getting pulled into the toddler room (again) to do a diaper round. Or using their lunch break to buy extra mittens and hats for the children who don’t seem to have them.

• You don’t see them crying under their desk after a parent yelled at them for a decision that was not theirs to make. Or trying to explain a classroom change while protecting the privacy of those involved.

These are only a few moments that happen in an average week. Your Director has a thousand more just like them as they try to meet everyone’s needs, often at the expense of their own well being in a role that asks far more than any one person can realistically do.

What you may see is the group chats between parents. Maybe you are part of them. The quick texts and the theories about a center-wide message that went out and what it could really mean. A side conversation about the staff member who left, and the assumptions that start to fill in the blanks. Somehow, these tiny details become a full storyline by bedtime. And as a parent myself, I really do get it. When you love your child fiercely, you want to understand their day. You want answers and clarity when you don’t understand a decision or process.

But what you may not know is that the Director almost always hears the chatter long after everyone has gone home. It is hard to explain how it feels when a story grows without the context a Director is legally required to protect. You do not see that moment when they have to stay silent, even though one sentence would clear everything up. They deal with the pressure and judgement because they have to, even when they know the decision was the right one. And then they get up the next morning and try again, hoping the day gives everyone a little more grace.

There is also a constant push and pull. I have sat in meetings where a teacher whispered that she could not manage another day like the one she just had. Ten minutes later I listened to a parent wonder if they would need to quit their job because their child’s behavior felt too big for everyone. Directors deeply care about both, but they are operating in a broken system without the necessary support to give either one the level of care they deserve.

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Your Director is giving it everything they have, every day. They are trying to keep staff motivated and excited about their work. They are trying to keep your child safe and supported. They are trying to keep you informed and reassured. They are planning events, spirit days, and shared family experiences while trying to keep an entire building running with limited resources. They are the glue that holds it all together.

So this Thanksgiving, if you find a quiet moment to think about the people who make your days possible, I hope your child’s Director comes to mind. And if you are ready to be part of their village, here are a few ideas:

• One sincere comment can lift them more than you might realize. Even just, “I know your job is hard and I’m grateful for you” means more than you may realize.

• If conversations start swirling in a group chat, chiming in with a small reminder that none of us ever know the full story can help bring everyone back to a kinder place.

• Give them grace on timing with their email responses. If something is urgent, call. If not, remember that most Directors would love nothing more than ten uninterrupted minutes at their desk to catch up.

• And if your child has a great day, or you loved an event that was planned, tell them. Parents often reach out when something goes wrong, not when something goes right. Hearing the good moments keeps Directors going more than you think.

And finally, to all the Directors who may read this, I hope something in here makes you take a breath and realize that there are parents out there who truly get it. We all know that no post can ever capture the level of responsibility that is expected of you, but the more we talk about it, the more we can work together toward solutions.

Your role is incredibly hard and deeply important. I am grateful for the work each and every one of you do, because none of this would run without you.

And if you ever want a space where none of this needs to be explained or justified, this is your official invitation to join the Directors Collective, a community created exclusively for leaders in Early Childhood Education. I create resources, newsletters, and the kind of support systems I always wished existed, and I share them to help lighten your mental load. There is room for you. It is free. And I sincerely hope you join us. Click Subscribe below and I will see you next week!

💡 This Week’s Thought

“You’re allowed to be both proud of how far you’ve come and tired of how long it’s taking.” —Unknown

We’ve hit that point in the year where you are likely feeling two things at once. Proud of how far you’ve gotten in your program, and completely exhausted by how long it’s taking to get everything running the way you want. This is your reminder that it is normal to feel both of these things, even if you are an experienced Director! November has a way of magnifying the good and challenging. So if you’re feeling stretched, don’t assume it means you’re doing something wrong. It usually means you’re in the middle of the messy work. Keep going, you’re building something amazing and the best things don’t happen overnight.

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✨ Something to Use

This week’s resource is a Circle of Control made specifically for early childhood leaders. If you haven’t used one before, it’s a simple way to separate what’s actually in your control from everything that isn’t. Which is something directors don’t get reminded of nearly enough… Our jobs are a constant mix of emotions, unexpected changes, and problems we didn’t create (but still have to deal with.) This visual helps you pause and sort through the chaos so you can put your time and energy toward what’s yours to manage (your communication, your boundaries, your follow-through) instead of carrying things that truly aren’t.

Download it below, print it, hang it somewhere visible, and use it as a quick reset. I’ll share a teacher version and a reflection worksheet later this week if you want to use it with your team! (And as always, feel free to comment if I missed a big one you think should be on here!)

Circle Of Control Ece Leadership

4.44MB ∙ PDF file

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📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Hang Thanksgiving “Attendance Trackers” on your classroom doors

Holiday weeks are their own kind of FuN to plan and staff for. You may have more PTO requests then you can approve and are juggling the art of guessing “who is going to show up today?!” To get ahead of that, I recommend printing and hanging the Thanksgiving Attendance Trackers outside each classroom so families can mark which days their child will be in attendance next week. This gives you a clear picture of staffing needs, helps support PTO requests, and prevents you from over- or under-scheduling during a short week.

Thanksgiving Attendance Trackers

II. Create (or update!) your Favorite Things binder for staff

For my newer Directors, now is the perfect time to create a “Favorite Things” binder for your team! It’s a simple way to keep track of who’s in each classroom and the little things they love, like coffee orders, favorite snacks, gift ideas, etc. If you’ve been here a while, you may already have this started, but this is your reminder to give it a quick refresh and make sure any new staff are included.

This becomes the resource heading into the holiday season. Parents are constantly asking, “What should we get for our teachers?” and this takes the pressure off everyone in a really easy, fun, and helpful way. I’ve linked a more detailed guide and template if you want to start or update yours.

My Favorite Things Printable

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

And don’t forget to subscribe to be sure this lands directly in your inbox each week.

Subscribe now

💡 This Week’s Thought

“What other people think and say about you is none of your business. The most destructive thing you would ever do is to believe someone else’s opinion of you.” -Roy T. Bennett

If there were a “Recovering People Pleasers Club,” most of us in early childhood would probably be on the board. It’s in our nature to care. We want to want to make everyone happy, smooth things over, and keep the peace. But that same instinct can make it really hard when someone snaps at us, questions a decision, or lets their own stress spill into our day.

So the next time that happens, remember that 99% of the time, it’s about what they’re carrying, not what you’ve done. Take a breath. Respond with calm, not guilt. And don’t let someone else’s bad moment turn into your bad day.

Absorb the feedback that helps you grow into a better version of yourself, and leave the rest where it belongs. You can care deeply and still have boundaries. Because that is the only way to last in this work without losing yourself in it.

✨ Something to Use

You guys… I stumbled across this fantastic resource created specifically for Early Childhood Leaders! Maybe you have heard about it and I am living under a rock, but if not, it is called the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, and it is a site that includes research, professional development, and staff resources all geared toward ECE Leadership. I haven’t had a ton of time to dig in, but be sure to check it out if you are interested!

McCormick Center for EC Leadership

And don’t forget to drop a comment below if you find something on this site you think would be particularly helpful for others!

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Send Out Your Monthly Newsletter

It’s November, which means it’s time to connect with your families and staff for the month ahead! As a reminder, if you haven’t checked it out yet, be sure to download November’s free Monthly Resource Toolkit. It includes pre-written newsletter content for both staff and family communications. Take what you want, edit what you need, and keep those connections flowing.

II. Prep for Thankful Celebrations

For those who celebrate Thanksgiving or host a gratitude-themed event, now’s the time to start planning. I’ve seen centers do everything from family “feasts” where parents join for lunch, to food drives that support local shelters, to simple morning “Muffins and Gratitude” gatherings.

Whatever you choose, get the plan on paper now, then work backward to make sure your food, signage, and communication are all set to go when you need them.

III. Review Staff Time-Off Requests and Holiday Schedules

The holiday season sneaks up fast, and so do vacation requests. Take a few minutes this week to review who’s asked for time off, check ratios for the short weeks ahead, and confirm your center’s closure dates are clearly communicated to families and staff.

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

This month’s director toolkit centers on gratitude, kindness, and connection, three themes that remind us what matters most in early childhood education. Everything inside is designed to make it easier for you to build community with staff and families, without adding more work to your plate.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A Staff Learning Spotlight on There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, focused on practical ways to embrace outdoor play and a growth mindset as the seasons change.

• Pre-written newsletters for families and staff that you can edit and send in minutes.

• Celebration ideas and ready-to-use printables for Kindness Month, Daylight Savings, Apple Cider Day, and Small Business Saturday. Each of these is designed to spark connection and participation with very little prep.

• Additional resources and templates to make communication easier and help you stay ahead of the month.

These toolkits are created exclusively for childcare directors and include resources that help you engage families, support your team, and strengthen your center community.

And it’s still completely free!

Grab your November Toolkit below and head into the month with connection-ready resources already done for you.

DOWNLOAD BELOW ⬇️

November 2025 Monthly Resource Toolkit

5.43MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

If you love it, the best way to support my work is to share it- post it in your director groups, send it to a colleague, or pass it along to someone who could use one less thing on their plate. The more we share, the lighter the load for all of us. ❤️

Share

My {free} monthly Resource Toolkit gives you:

• 🧠 Staff Learning Spotlight
  Thoughtfully designed printables filled with engaging quick tips for your team. Each month we tackle a different topic- From classroom management to best practices in ECE, these resources are created with early childhood educators in mind. Share them in your monthly staff newsletter or display them in the teacher’s lounge so everyone can stay connected and inspired!

  This month we are talking about classroom expectations and thinking through whether we are being a referee or coach, and how to adjust our mindset at the start of a new school year.

• ✏️ Pre-written newsletters
  Save time with my pre-written newsletter content. I include two pre-written notes from the Director. The first is written to share in your monthly newsletter to parents, and another to share with teachers at your center. Each piece is easy to copy and edit to fit your center’s specific needs which allows you to customize the content and add it into your existing newsletter templates.

• 🎉Upcoming HoliDAYS and Celebration Ideas
  Stay ahead with a list of upcoming, silly, and unique “holidays” and creative ways to celebrate them in your childcare center. Whether it’s a national holiday or a fun, lesser-known day, I provide inspiration and celebration ideas specifically to engage families and staff.

• 📝Resources
  What good is giving you ideas on how to engage your staff and families without the resources to make it easy for you to actually do it! Depending on the month, my resources could include seasonal themes and team building ideas, family engagement, graphics/printables you can share with families, or printables to hang up around your center! And I always try to help you with a timeline to keep you on track for the activities you decide to do.

And that’s a wrap! Have an amazing month, and don’t forget to shoot me an email if you have fun activities planned and want me to take a crack at designing a resource to go along with them for next month! My email is admin@thedirectorscollective.com

Help your families ease the transition to Standard Time with our Daylight Saving Time Transition Tips printable! As we “fall back” this season, this resource provides simple strategies that parents can use at home—like gradually shifting bedtimes and getting morning sunlight—to help ki…

Read more

💡 This Week’s Thought

“The suspense is terrible. I hope it’ll last.” — Willy Wonka

Not sure I have ever thought of my day from this perspective. Typically, I dread the suspense and instead call it my good friend, anxiety. Who is going to call out today? Which parent is waiting outside my office? And why TF is there glitter in my eyeball again?!

Regardless of how it makes us feel, suspense is part of the job. And it is never going away. So if you are in the right headspace today, take a moment to reframe your mindset from “how can I make the suspense stop?” to “How can I find the joy in knowing my role is so unique, I never quite know what’s coming next?”

Maybe even start your own suspense log to look back at the end of each month at all of unexpected moments you handled in a day! (Check out a version I made just for you below!)

✨ Something to Use

This is a fun one… Your very own Suspense Log! This one-page printable gives you a place to rate your daily “suspense level,” track unexpected WTF moments, and laugh at the unexpected chaos (instead of cry about it.) If the only predictable part about our job is the unpredictability, may as well have a little fun with it!

I am also working on an easy to use conference sheet for those who responded that it would be helpful. Keep your eyes peeled!

If you find any of my resources to be beneficial, the best way you can show your appreciation is by sharing The Director’s Collective with other leaders in the ECE field. Thank you so much!

Share

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Send a Reminder about Halloween Expectations

If you haven’t done so yet, this is the perfect time to send a little note to families outlining your expectations for Halloween. Some centers encourage costumes, others encourage families to send their children in black and orange. You may be the type that hosts a trunk-or-treat, or the type that doesn’t celebrate at all. However your center decides to approach the holiday is just fine! But it is important to ensure your families are on the same page and know what to expect or the day could go off the rails real quick…

II. Conduct your monthly fire/tornado drill

Let’s get ahead of it this month! For those in tornado states (ha, that is a funny way to describe them) this is the last month you need to run a tornado drill as well. As always, linking my drill tracker HERE if you prefer to use this over a state provided log 🙂

III. Get Your Pumpkins in Order!

If you are following along with any of my October family/staff connection ideas, this is the week to do the following, depending on which Halloween event you are hosting!

• For those creating a mini pumpkin patch at your center, be sure to buy your pumpkins this week! Sometimes local pumpkin patches or grocery stores will donate materials for your center.

• For those hosting a pumpkin carving contest, send an email to your community (staff, families, or both) this week! Remember that I have a pre-written email you can edit in my October Resource Toolkit!

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

The Suspense Log was born out of that exact need: to vent, reflect, and find humor in the unexpected moments that come with running a childcare program. Because we all know that no two days are ever the same…

Use it to track the day’s suspense level, your mood, the unexpected moments that made you blink twice, and how you responded (gracefully or otherwise). You can even chart your day’s chaos level or note the biggest “WTF moment” before heading home.

Subscribe now

My goal here isn’t just to give you a space to write about your chaotic day. It’s to help you get it out of your head, maybe even laugh about it, and start to see those unexpected moments differently. Over time, you might notice patterns in what’s wearing you down or lighting you up. Use that insight to make small shifts, whether it’s adjusting your own mindset, setting new boundaries, or changing something operationally

Print a few copies, keep one by your desk, and start your own collection of daily cliffhangers.

DOWNLOAD BELOW

The Suspense Log

186KB ∙ PDF file

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If you find any of my resources to be beneficial, the best way you can show your appreciation is by sharing The Director’s Collective with other leaders in the ECE field. Thank you so much!

Share

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” —Annie Dillard

Fall always has a way of sneaking up on us. I have definitely been feeling more overwhelmed than normal over the past month. Between partnering with frustrated parents and working through challenging classroom behaviors, it has been exhausting. And it is so easy to get stuck in the cycle of just managing what’s in front of you instead of actually enjoying the parts of the job that make it worth doing.

So this morning on my drive into work (while listening to the new TSwift album for the one-millionth time) I challenged myself to re-discover what lights me up in this role, and to actually make time for it each day. I’m still deciding what that will be… but I’d love for you to join me.

So think for a minute… what first drew you to this role? And how can you bring a little bit of that back into your day? Sit and color with the preschoolers. Decorate your doorway for Halloween. Bring your camera and capture the classrooms in action. Host a “dance party” with the toddlers. Whatever it is, make space for the parts that remind you this work can be fun. Because yes, it’s a job, but it’s also a big part of your life and your story. And happier people lead happier people.

And if there’s something that’s been bringing you joy lately, I’d love for you to share it in the comments to inspire others!

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✨ Something to Use

The October Resource Toolkit dropped last week! 🎃 It’s a free, downloadable PDF packed with ideas, ready-to-use templates, and easy timelines to help you find the joy and time to connect with families and staff throughout the month.

If you haven’t grabbed it yet, you can download it here:👉 Get it here

If you find any of my resources to be beneficial, the best way you can show your appreciation is by sharing The Director’s Collective with other leaders in the ECE field. Thank you so much!

Share

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Spruce Up Your Entryway

We are now one week into October, and if you haven’t done so yet, it is the perfect time to give your entryway a touch of the fall season! Grab some pumpkins or jewel-toned mums to put out front, hang a garland of fall leaves near the door, or add some spooky spiderwebs for a touch of fun. These seasonal changes make your center feel like home!

II. Prep for Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

Many early childhood programs are required to host two conferences each year to connect with families. If that’s the case for you, your fall conferences are likely approaching soon. Which means now is the perfect time to make sure everyone has the correct evaluation or progress report form, understands the timeline for completion, and knows when to turn them in for review! You may also want to set a few quick check-ins over the next couple of weeks to help teachers stay on track.

III. Send out Blank Recipe Cards to Families!

If you are following along with any of my October family/staff connection ideas, now is a great time to print and send home your blank recipe cards for families to fill out and return next week in celebration of World Food Day (October 16th.) You can find these in my October Resource Toolkit!

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you’re proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

October is busy enough… fire drills, family events, and figuring out who all of the rogue socks belong to. You don’t need more “cute ideas” that end up on your never-done list (Yea, I am talking to all of my fellow neurodivergent brains out there…)

For those who are new to The Director’s Collective, let me be clear: this monthly Resource Toolkit is not another packet of classroom activities for teachers. Your team doesn’t need more Pinterest projects, and you don’t need another binder of ideas gathering dust in your overcrowded office.

Instead, these toolkits are created exclusively for early childhood leaders. Each month, you’ll get ready-to-use resources that help you connect with families, support your staff, and strengthen community and trust in your center, without piling on extra work.

Subscribe now

And it’s still completely free!

Grab your October Toolkit below and head into the month with connection-ready resources already done for you.

DOWNLOAD BELOW ⬇️

October 2025 Resource Toolkit

8.55MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

If you love it, the best way to support my work is to share it- post it in your director groups, send it to a colleague, or pass it along to someone who could use one less thing on their plate. The more we share, the lighter the load for all of us. ❤️

Share

October Resource Toolkit Peek

My {free} monthly Resource Toolkit gives you:

• 🧠 Staff Learning Spotlight
  Thoughtfully designed printables filled with engaging quick tips for your team. Each month we tackle a different topic- From classroom management to best practices in ECE, these resources are created with early childhood educators in mind. Share them in your monthly staff newsletter or display them in the teacher’s lounge so everyone can stay connected and inspired!

  This month we are talking about classroom expectations and thinking through whether we are being a referee or coach, and how to adjust our mindset at the start of a new school year.

• ✏️ Pre-written newsletters
  Save time with my pre-written newsletter content. I include two pre-written notes from the Director. The first is written to share in your monthly newsletter to parents, and another to share with teachers at your center. Each piece is easy to copy and edit to fit your center’s specific needs which allows you to customize the content and add it into your existing newsletter templates.

• 🎉Upcoming HoliDAYS and Celebration Ideas
  Stay ahead with a list of upcoming, silly, and unique “holidays” and creative ways to celebrate them in your childcare center. Whether it’s a national holiday or a fun, lesser-known day, I provide inspiration and celebration ideas specifically to engage families and staff.

• 📝Resources
  What good is giving you ideas on how to engage your staff and families without the resources to make it easy for you to actually do it! Depending on the month, my resources could include seasonal themes and team building ideas, family engagement, graphics/printables you can share with families, or printables to hang up around your center! And I always try to help you with a timeline to keep you on track for the activities you decide to do.

And that’s a wrap! Have an amazing month, and don’t forget to shoot me an email if you have fun activities planned and want me to take a crack at designing a resource to go along with them for next month! My email is admin@thedirectorscollective.com

“We can’t expect May behavior in September”

I’ve been leaning hard on this reminder over the whirlwind that is “back to school” season. By May, kids know the routines, expectations, and flow of the day. But September is different. Even in year-round programs, new faces and shifting rhythms mean things feel less settled. It’s easy to think, “But they should know this by now!”

However, they don’t. Not yet. This is the season to extend grace to the kids, the staff, the parents, and yourself, as everyone finds their footing. Progress will come! But until then, keep reframing with this gentle reminder.

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✨ Something to Use

Here are three of my favorite resources to help re-set routines for staff, kids, and families right now:

• Childcare Opener & Closer Checklists
  Quick, ready-to-use checklists for whoever opens and closes your center. One version is pre-filled for a “ready-to-print” checklist while the other is blank so you can customize it for your individual needs.
  👉 Get it here
  

• Behavior Report Pre-Evaluation
  This resource was created after a group of directors requested a better way to help teachers reflect before rushing to fill out a behavior report for every incident in the classroom. It gives teachers a chance to pause, reflect, and consider context so they can decide if it truly needs to come to your desk, or if it can be handled in the classroom first. And it is especially helpful in the month of September…
  👉 Get it here
  

• Parent Share: 5 Tips for Re-Establishing Routines
  A printable handout for families with simple tips to get back into the swing of things this fall. Send it home or include it in your newsletter!
  👉 Get it here

As a reminder, if you find any of my resources to be beneficial, the best way you can show your appreciation is by sharing The Director’s Collective with other leaders in the ECE field. Thank you so much!

Share

📅 What’s Coming Up

Each week I break down your to-do list into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of running your program without feeling overwhelmed.

I. Conduct your monthly fire/tornado drill

Reminder that your state may have an emergency drill tracker you can use to ensure you are conducting all drills each month. Alternatively, you can use my much cuter tracker HERE if preferred 🙂

II. Prep for Cold/Flu Season

Host an optional, on-site flu shot clinic for families and staff and ensure you are fully stocked on tissues, hand soap, sanitizer, and cleaning supplies. You can also include a friendly reminder about your illness policies in your upcoming newsletter before the first wave of colds hit!

III. Touch Base with New Families

The first few weeks of September are a whirlwind. So as things calm down, it is the perfect time to reach out to new families (or families that transitioned rooms) to check-in and see how they are doing. You might wonder if this is worth your time. And it is.

Research in both education and healthcare shows that proactive communication builds trust and reduces complaints. Families are far less likely to escalate concerns when they already feel seen, heard, and connected. So a little time now goes a long way later!

Use the below script and send it to each family individually for a simple and easy way to check-in.

Hi [Parent Names],

Now that [Child’s Name] has been with us for a couple weeks, I just wanted to check in and let you know how much we’re enjoying having them in the classroom. I’ve especially noticed [insert personal, positive, or favorite thing about their child].

We’re so glad your family is part of our community. How are things feeling for you so far? Is there anything you’d like us to know or support at home or school?

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you're proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

Print out copies to send home, include it in your newsletter, or have teachers discuss these simple routines at fall conferences. Click below to download your own PDF!

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5 Tips For Re Establishing Routines

2.63MB ∙ PDF file

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And as a reminder, if you find any of my resources to be beneficial, the best way you can show your appreciation is by sharing The Director’s Collective with other leaders in the ECE field. Thank you so much!

Share

“Done is better than perfect.” -Sheryl Sandberg

Yup… It’s crunch time and there is a lot of $h!t we need to get done! Be sure to check out the “What’s Coming Up” section below to stay on top of everything before the end of summer.

And this is my reminder that, while many of us tend to be closet perfectionists, things will never get done at all if we wait for them to be perfect. So pick three things to cross off your list today and just get ‘em done!

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✨ Something to Use

These email templates are here to give you a head start on your back-to-school communication with staff and families. This post just went live, but I included a link to access just in case you missed it!

• Back-to-School STAFF Email Template

• Back-to-School PARENT Email Template

🔧 Quick Note on Last Week’s Forms

If you tried to use last week’s links but ran into a Google Form access issue—you're not alone! I forgot that forms are more challenging to share. If you want to use them, just click “Request Access,” and I’ll approve it. Then click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner — > Make a Copy to edit and use for your center. If you skip that step, you’ll be editing the original.

This applies to the All About My Family and Emergency Contact Info forms. I do have backup copies, so don’t panic if something goes awry, but please try to make your own version once approved!

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📅 What’s Coming Up

We are in week five of our Back-to-School Prep series! Each week, I’ll break it down into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of fall without feeling overwhelmed.

This Week’s Focuses:

FOR STAFF

Send TWO Staff Emails:

• Back-to-School Email – This is your big-picture update (template above!) Share your schedule overview, updated school calendar, handbook, reminders about clocking in/arrival times, links to the “My Favorite Things” and “About Me” forms, emergency contact updates, and how to request time off or find a sub. It sets the tone and expectations going into the school year.

• Training/Workshop Email – If you have any training days coming up, this is your one-stop-shop email with all the details: start and end times, agenda, what meals are provided, what to wear, etc. If you’ve got a carpet, window, or classroom deep clean scheduled, include the dates and what staff need to prep (like moving shelves off carpets). This should cut down on questions next week and keep everyone aligned.

FOR PARENTS

• Send Back-to-School Email to New & Returning Families – Make this a go-to resource parents can reference all year (template above!) Include links to forms, the calendar, the handbook, and anything else they'll need on hand.

• Follow Up on Missing Paperwork – You should have already sent reminders to any parents that are missing paperwork. Now send a follow-up for anything still outstanding (doctor forms, immunizations, etc.). Include a clear deadline for return.

FOR TEACHERS

• Prep Classroom Binders – Print and update with:

  • Current rosters (even if they’ll change again)

  • Emergency plans

  • Updated emergency contact forms

  • Staff assignments

  • Sub plans (if needed)

• Print & Laminate New Cubby/Locker Name Tags – It’s a small thing that makes a big difference in helping new children feel welcome, and taking work off teachers’ plates!

FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING

• Update the Communication Hub – Most centers have a public space where flyers, calendars, and reminders are pinned up. This week, post the latest calendar, hours, and any other updates families should see at a glance.

• Send Off Children Leaving the Program – Give them a little goodbye gift or keepsake to wrap up their time at your center on a sweet note.

• Welcome New Students Starting Next Month – Have teachers handwrite postcards or little notes to incoming children and mail them to the child (not just the parent). A photo of the teaching team makes it even more special—even for infants, parents will appreciate the gesture.

• Prep “Back to School” Photo Boards – Set up your bulletin boards or entry displays for first-day photo ops!
  —> Looking for a simple way to do this? Keep your eyes peeled for my September Resource Toolkit, coming later this week!

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you're proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!

And that’s it for this week! Easy as A, B, C, 1, 2, 3.

As always, I am so grateful to all of my readers who share my work with other Directors in the field. Together we will do wonderful things!

Share

Whether your program runs year-round or follows a traditional school calendar, this is the perfect moment to reset expectations, communicate updates, and start the year on a strong, supportive note.

Each template includes suggested topics, embedded links, and reminders to help you cover the essentials—without starting from scratch.

Feel free to copy, tweak, and make them your own! This is just a starting point.

Ready to be the first to know about all of my new resources? Be sure to subscribe! It’s free!

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Staff: Back-to-School Email Template

Staff Back To School Email Template

79.3KB ∙ PDF file

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Download

Parent: Back-to-School Email Template

Parent Back To School Email Template

79.2KB ∙ PDF file

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Download

As always, feel free to comment if I missed something important or if you have an idea you would like to share with your fellow Directors!

This Week’s Thought

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

If you’ve ever looked up and realized it’s already 4:00 PM and you still haven’t eaten lunch, you know exactly what this means. In early childhood leadership, it’s easy to spend the entire day reacting to a flurry of “emergencies” that pop up every 15 minutes. From adjusting schedules to cover last-minute callouts to running your third impromptu “therapy” session with a frustrated employee, it’s hard not to fall into the habit of just putting out fires.

But leadership is also about deciding where your energy should go, before someone else decides for you.

What’s one thing you can intentionally prioritize today? Even ten minutes of proactive focus can shift the tone of your entire day and remind you that you're in charge. And I don’t mean that in an “I AM THE BOSS” kind of way, but more in an “I kind of know what to expect for the next hour” kind of way.

The more you focus on intentionality with your daily plans, the more natural it becomes to lead from that place, rather than chase the day from behind.

Need a kickstart? Find a stack of post it notes right now, and write the top 3 things you need to get done today. Then make sure they are complete before you head home. Rinse and repeat.

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✨ Something to Use

Make a copy of my digital, fillable forms below. These are useful to get updated information from families before the new school year. Once you make a copy, remember to edit the questions or fields as needed for your center!

All About My Family
A sweet way to learn each child’s likes, routines, and how to partner with their grownups. Includes fun extras like parent birthdays—perfect for surprise cards or connection emails.

Emergency Contact Info
Make licensing easier with this digital form, pre-filled with the fields required for Minnesota programs (but easily editable for your state’s requirements). Using an online system means no more lost paper forms or waiting weeks for returns! Just send the link and go.

🔗 Want to organize responses in a spreadsheet?
Once you’ve made a copy of the form:

1. Click the Responses tab

2. Click the green Link to Sheets icon

3. Choose “Create a new spreadsheet”
   That’s it—now you can sort by classroom, birthday, contact type, and more.

Share The Director's Collective

📅 What’s Coming Up

We are in week three of our Back-to-School Prep series! Each week, I’ll break it down into bite-sized tasks so you can stay on top of fall without feeling overwhelmed.

This Week’s Focuses:

• Email request to parents for paperwork update-
  Helpful digital forms already created for you to copy and edit above!

  • Updated emergency contact form

  • Health forms, if needed

  • “About Me” page for each child

  • Set and share a deadline (2 weeks should be enough!) and make it easy to complete, virtual forms are always better if possible.

• Create your fall in-service/training/workshop days agenda

• Review all current allergy info and medication expiration dates

  • Contact families whose meds/epipens expire within 3 months

• Draft your Back-to-School Letter to Families (We will send in 2 weeks!)
  Some things to include:

  • A reminder that extra clothing/nap blanket will be sent home over labor day weekend. Parents should refresh clothing sizes and types before sending back!

  • What to bring the first day- I always ask parents to bring an updated family photo (no glass in frame!) and a non-toxic plant to help their child connect with the classroom.

  • Tips for smoother transitions

  • Reminders: arrival/departure check-ins, calendar, door code policy, etc.

  • Include the updated parent handbook

  • Think about last year’s pain points—and get ahead of them

🌟 Director Spotlight

Don’t forget to hit reply and tell me what you (or a fellow Director) are doing that you're proud of, big or small. I want you to brag! Let me hear it!