Leading a team in early education has never been easy, but lately it feels like something has fundamentally shifted . Expectations drift. Accountability gets uncomfortable. Hard conversations get pushed to tomorrow, and tomorrow again.  We were so honored to welcome Beth Cannon , TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and leadership strategist with nearly three decades in early education, for this grounding and empowering session. In celebration of the launch of her new book, Tran

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 runs May 4–8. But the best directors know that appreciation isn’t a once-a-year event. It’s a culture you build every single day. This year, let’s celebrate intentionally and use the tools at your fingertips to make it stick year-round. Timeless ways to show appreciation Bring their favorite treat A small snack goes a long way. Find out what they love (more on how to do that below). Give them a real break Read aloud to a class, cover outdoor re

What role does it play in achieving a high level of enrollment? Coordinates locked, astronaut.   Our next destination on the S.P.A.C.E. journey: the Planet of Physical Environment. This planet does not wait for introductions. Before a parent hears your philosophy, meets your teachers, or sees a single lesson plan, they are already forming an impression of your program. And that impression shapes every decision that follows. Why This Planet Matters Of all your enrollment tools

When we think about our digital first impression, most of us picture our website. But for many parents searching for childcare, the Google Business Profile comes first. That's why we were thrilled to welcome Gwendolyn Guarino and Molly Rutty, the marketing experts from Rose Marketing Solutions, for this eye-opening webinar. With practical, childcare-specific advice, Gwen and Molly walked directors and owners through how to turn their Google Business Profile into one of their

Here's an uncomfortable truth: not everyone on your waitlist actually plans to enroll. Families sign up "just in case," never respond when a spot opens, and quietly enroll somewhere else. Meanwhile, your team spent weeks chasing them. A nominal waitlist fee changes everything. Even a small amount, say $25 to $50, transforms a "maybe" into a genuine commitment. When families have skin in the game, they're far more likely to convert when a spot opens up. Think of it as a qualit

If you run a childcare center or summer camp and haven't started marketing your summer program yet, you're already behind. Most parents search for summer programs between late February and mid-April, Googling phrases like "summer camp near me" and "best summer enrichment for kids." If your center doesn't show up with a clear, compelling page, you're invisible during the most critical window of the year. Think about your own behavior as a consumer: when one company has a polis