The Director's Planner: Week of February 24th, 2025

On staff referrals, intentions, and expiration dates

Feb 24, 2025

We’re rounding out February, and while hiring has been our big focus this month, I know many of you are also tackling day-to-day operations, prepping for spring, and just generally trying to keep things running without losing your minds. This is just a friendly reminder that you are doing a fantastic job!

So to close out the month, we’re focusing on staff referrals to encourage your team and families to send potential employees your way. Plus, it’s time for our monthly facilities focus, getting that kitchen and food prep space in check, and planning ahead for March. Let’s dive in!

1 Weekly Focus

Create & Share a “Staff Referral Challenge

Monthly Goal: Hire ______ new team members by February 28th.

If you’re still working on finding great candidates, it’s time to tap into one of your most underused recruiting tools—your current team and families! Referrals often lead to higher-quality hires, faster onboarding, and employees who stick around longer.

This week, create a referral challenge to get your center community involved in the hiring process. Keep it simple:

✅ Offer an incentive (gift cards, a bonus, or an extra PTO hour) for every referred hire who stays X days/months.
✅ Make it fun—turn it into a friendly competition with a leaderboard or team rewards.
✅ Make sure everyone knows about it! Announce it in a meeting, post flyers in break areas, and send out a reminder in your team group chat or monthly newsletter.

2 Thoughts to Consider

I. "We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior." – Stephen M.R. Covey (The Speed of Trust)

We all assume that our missteps were just an accident, a misunderstanding, or a bad day—but when someone else drops the ball, it’s easy to see it as carelessness or incompetence. What if, instead of assuming the worst, we led with curiosity? If an employee isn’t meeting expectations, ask yourself: do they fully understand what’s expected? Have they been given the tools and support to succeed? A quick, direct conversation can often clear up what assumptions only complicate.

II. The best teachers never stop being students

Great leaders, like great teachers, are always learning. The moment you think you “know it all” is the moment you stop growing. Are you open to feedback from your staff? Are you seeking out new ideas, better ways to lead, and opportunities to improve? Your willingness to learn doesn’t just make you a stronger leader—it models a culture of growth for your entire team. When was the last time you stepped into a classroom, observed with fresh eyes, or asked your team what they think could be done better?

3 Action Items

I. Write & Schedule Your March Newsletter

A new month is around the corner, which means it’s time to get your March newsletter prepped and scheduled. Stay ahead of the game by outlining key reminders, upcoming events, and any fun activities your families should know about.

💡 Pro Tip: Insiders—The March Resource Toolkit will be dropping later this week with pre-written newsletter content, parent resources, and seasonal engagement ideas!

II. Deep Clean & Organize Your Kitchen & Food Prep Space

Time for this month’s facilities focus! Kitchens and food prep areas can get cluttered fast, so take some time this week to clear out expired food, deep clean surfaces, and organize supplies.

III. Check & Replace Air Filters

Indoor air quality matters—especially in childcare centers where little immune systems are constantly at work. This week is a great time to check and replace HVAC filters and wipe down air vents before allergy season kicks in. Clogged filters reduce air circulation, trap dust and allergens, and make your heating/cooling system work harder (which can cost you more in the long run).

✅ Check your center’s HVAC system and note when filters were last changed.
✅ Replace filters if needed (most should be changed every 1-3 months).
✅ Don’t forget other filters! Air purifiers, vacuums, and even kitchen hood vents all need regular maintenance too.

💡 Pro Tip: Set a recurring calendar reminder so filter replacements don’t slip through the cracks!

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

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