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

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

A great first impression doesn't happen by accident. For most childcare centers, that impression starts the moment a family tries to learn more about your program or sign up for a tour. A clunky, outdated, or hard-to-find form can cost you enrollments before you ever get the chance to connect. In this webinar, we showcased IntelliKid Systems' brand-new Web Forms release and showed exactly how a well-built form can become one of your most powerful enrollment tools. Here's What

At IKS Academy, we believe strong leadership is the foundation of every successful child care program, and it starts with leading yourself first. That’s why we were excited to welcome Sara Schreiner, CEO of ChildMYnder, for our recent webinar. With her signature boldness and honesty, Sara shared inspirational strategies to help child care directors, owners, and educators lead with greater clarity, purpose, and confidence. If you missed the session or want a quick recap, here

Enrollment rarely comes down to just “not enough leads.” More often, it’s also inconsistent follow-up, unclear handoffs, and bottlenecks that keep families from moving forward. In this interactive webinar, our IKS experts Kaia Gallop, Director of Client Strategy, and Karen Blatter, Director of Training and Enterprise Strategy, shared practical ways to start 2026 with a clear plan and a system that supports it. Here’s What We Covered: Using reporting to identify where leads st

Running a preschool means wearing many hats, and when growth takes center stage it’s easy to lose sight of the financial fundamentals that truly drive success. With the right systems, data, and financial clarity in place, childcare leaders can confidently build centers that are both mission-driven and financially strong. In the following IKS Academy webinar, Back to Basics: How to Make More Money and Pay Less Tax , we learned from Michael A. Blanco, CPA, preschool owner, and

Navigating enrollment conversations can feel overwhelming when you're balancing systems, team responsibilities, and a constant flow of parent inquiries. Our recent IKS Academy webinar focused on providing a clearer path forward that strengthens relationships, reduces repetitive work, and builds confidence throughout every lead’s journey.  The webinar was led by Nikkie Handy, a seasoned Franchise Business Coach with more than 25 years of experience across nearly every role in

Enrollment is the number one driver of revenue in every early childhood program, but many schools unknowingly lose hundreds of thousands of dollars each year simply by missing opportunities on the phone. In our recent IKS Academy webinar with Chelsea Reue, a Child Care Sales Specialist, licensed real estate agent, and host of The Business of Preschool Podcast , we explored how strengthening your phone practices can transform your school’s financial health, boost family trust,

Employee turnover can often feel like an inevitable part of running a child care program, but it does not have to be. With the right systems in place, child care leaders can confidently attract, select, develop, and retain team members who strengthen their culture rather than drain it. In our recent IKS Academy webinar with Tameenah Adams, a Certified Human Resources Professional, John Maxwell Certified Coach, founder of ChildcareHR, and experienced child care entrepreneur wi

Running digital ads can feel overwhelming: balancing budgets, targeting, creatives, and lead follow-up. At our recent “Are You Ready for Google Ads?”  webinar, we welcomed Gwendolyn Guarino , a career digital ads marketer at Rose Marketing Solutions . With over 15 years of experience in the Google Ads and Facebook Ads platforms, Gwen shared some valuable insights to help child care providers succeed with digital advertising. Here’s what we covered: Why Ads Fail Many child car

Discover What’s New. Use What Works. Running a child care center means juggling people, processes, and priorities, often all before lunchtime. Staying ahead with the right tools isn’t just helpful…it’s essential. At our recent IKS Feature Fest 2025, we welcomed Kaia Gallop and Karen Blatter for a dynamic walkthrough of the year’s most impactful innovations. Drawing from their deep experience in product development, customer support, and real-world school operations, Kaia and

First impressions shape everything, especially in childcare, where families walk in with a picture already in mind of what they expect. During our recent webinar, we explored how to transform those expectations into powerful “WOW” moments that leave families feeling seen, valued, and excited to join your community. We were joined by Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey, nationally recognized early childhood trainers, keynote speakers, and business strategists with more than 3

Motivating today’s workforce remains one of the most significant challenges school leaders face. This core issue took center stage during our 50th IntelliKid Systems Academy webinar, where nationally recognized early childhood leader Vernon Mason Jr., M.Ed., presented “I Just Want Them to Do Their Job: Accountability Without Frustration.”  Vernon explored how true accountability can shift from feeling like harassment to becoming a catalyst for growth, motivation, and stronger

Playful leadership can feel elusive as you balance expectations, team culture, systems, and the daily fires that come with running a school. At our recent Playful Leadership  webinar, we welcomed Rachel Supalla, M.Ed., a renowned Early Childhood Business Expert, consultant, trainer, author, and multi-site child care owner with more than 25 years of experience. Rachel launched Discovery KidZone in 2009 and has since expanded it into 10 successful locations across Montana and U

Navigating tough leadership moments can feel overwhelming: balancing communication, resilience, staff development, and those hard conversations you’d rather avoid. At our recent webinar Feedback Without Fear: Coaching Teachers Through Behavior Breakthroughs & Personal Growth , we welcomed Dr. Teri DeLucca, founder of Impact Early Education, who specializes in helping child care leaders grow thriving, emotionally intelligent teams. With years of experience training directors a

Enrollment can feel like a never-ending puzzle—juggling phone inquiries, tours, email campaigns, waitlists, classrooms, integrations, and...

Running a successful childcare center isn’t just about providing high-quality care—it also requires smart financial management. As tax...

Running a child care center is more than just a passion—it’s a business. But for many owners and directors, balancing financial success...

Licensing visits can feel like a high-stakes test for child care providers, but with the right preparation, they don’t have to be...

As we wrap up a busy and successful year in the childcare industry, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our achievements, assess...

In the dynamic world of childcare management, every decision holds the potential to shape the success of a center. That’s why the...

In the world of early childcare, staffing challenges can feel like an uphill battle. With so much movement in this field, finding,...

Running a successful childcare center is about more than providing quality care—it's also about running a sustainable business. One of...

In today’s world, ensuring a safe and secure environment for young children is at the top of every preschool’s priority list. That’s why...