The Director's Planner: Week of December 9, 2024
On holiday attendance, a favorite things binder, and always finding time to learn
1 Weekly Challenge
Learn something new!
This week, I challenge you to take a little time to learn something new that could help you in your role. Is there a problem you’ve been trying to solve at your center? Or maybe you’ve been curious about how to strengthen your leadership skills?
It doesn’t have to be a big time commitment—Start by reading a short article, joining a webinar, or chatting with a mentor. Don’t let the daily grind stop you from growing and finding fresh ideas that make your job a little easier!
Check out a few great training options below!
A Conversation Focused on Neurodiversity- Hosted by Exchange Press
Tuesday, December 10- 12:00-1:30pm CSTEmotional Intelligence for Childcare Directors- A Director’s Collective Podcast
Leadership vs. Management: What it Means to Make a Difference- By Seth Godin
2 Thoughts to Consider
I. Your most challenging staff can offer the best lessons, and your most unhappy parents can be your greatest teachers.
As a director, challenges often present the greatest opportunities for growth. While difficult feedback from parents can be hard to hear, it offers valuable insights into how you can improve as a leader. Similarly, the staff you find most challenging to lead often reflect areas where you can grow the most. Embrace the discomfort—these moments of learning can help you refine your leadership, strengthen relationships, and create a better environment for everyone.
II. "Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else.” – Sara Blakely, Founder of SPANX
As a Director, embracing what you don’t know can be your greatest asset. While it’s important to learn how things have been done in the past, it’s just as important to question why they’re done that way. This curiosity can lead to discovering better, more innovative ways to run your center, setting you apart and driving positive change.
3 Action Items
I. Prepare a “Favorite Things” binder
If you haven’t created a “Favorite Things” binder yet, now’s the time to make it happen! This simple 3-ring binder is so appreciated by parents looking for personalized gift ideas now, and throughout the year.
Getting started is simple and it is a project you can have finished by the end of the day. Use my one-pager (below) for teachers to fill out. This includes things like their favorite drinks, restaurants, stores, etc… Once you have the finished papers, pop them into a binder, and place it in a visible common area for parents to reference anytime. It’s a small step with a big payoff—your teachers and parents will thank you!
This week only, my favorite things printable is available to ALL of my subscribers!
II. Holiday week attendance prep
The holidays are only 2 weeks away! If you have upcoming closures planned, be sure to print out holiday closure signs to remind parents of the schedule changes. Hang them on the entry doors, as well as by the classroom doors. Additionally, I highly recommend gathering family attendance plans. This helps you staff your center more efficiently over the holiday weeks!
III. Conduct your monthly fire drill
In the busyness of the season, don’t forget about that monthly fire drill! Schedule time this week to complete the drill so it doesn’t get forgotten. As a reminder, Insiders can access my drill tracking printable HERE if you don’t have access to an easy printable through licensing.