Directors, how are you preparing for the next school year?
If you’ve read my previous blogs (scroll down to find them), you will have learned a few techniques that will keep you focused, keep you present, keep you calm during your very busy workdays. So, what else do you need to think about this summer to lead your early childhood program to success?
What is your vision of you in this leadership role? In what ways do you want to work with others; communicate; solve problems; make decisions? Just as you created a vision for your children’s center, for the children, for the parents, for your team, you will need to think about what is important to you.
As Director, write your vision of the best you! And then, read it frequently to keep you on track.
To get you started, I can share some of the things that were important to me in my director positions and what worked for me and for our programs.
As director, I set the course. I learned that how I began each first day was really important, that it set the tone for the whole year—where we were headed as an organization; what we would focus on this year; what expectations we were to meet; what goals we were to accomplish; and then, how. It was very important to think through all of these questions—and have the answers! I had the opportunity at the beginning of each school year to set our course, and communicate it to my team—and I took it!
I value quality and high standards. I believe that others do as well—and I found these people. I hired them. Yes, these people exist! And they want to work in this type of environment. They want to do their best. They are excited and upbeat. What they bring is contagious! If you have a core group of teachers who are outstanding as they work with children and parents, they will inspire and motivate others. It is an upward spiral—positive, professional, and fun! And you, the director, must observe often what and how they are doing—and offer feedback! You are part of the equation—you must be aware of everything happening in your program. Give people your time. For, how will you know if the quality and high standards are happening in every classroom unless you visit classrooms, sit in on team meetings, share successes with the entire staff? In other words, motivate and inspire.
I learned that people will rise to the challenge when the expectations are clearly articulated and when there is support to accomplish them. When people know what they need to do, and how, they will do it.
Which brings me back to the beginning, and to you.
As Director, you must know where you and your children’s center are going. Set the course.
How are you going to get there? What will get you there? What must you focus on this year? What expectations do you want to meet? What goals must you set and accomplish? Map it out. Think about the timeline and the route you’ll take to get there.
For, how will you ever know you’ve arrived, if you don’t know where you are going?
- Be the leader.
- Set your course.
- Lead by example.
Your team will follow your lead.
I wish you well on your adventure.
For more tips, techniques and how-tos that worked for me for forty years, take a look at Beginning to End:The Life Cycle of a Child Care Center—A Director’s Story, at amazon.com books.
