Category Archives: Training for Early Childhood Professionals

Beyond the Book—The Mentor Teacher Program

As Director of the John Hancock Child Care Center, I knew that the key to a quality early childhood program was to find, hire and retain the finest teachers! I also knew that we had to provide unique, individual opportunities for their professional growth. And so, our Mentor Teacher Program was born! How we did this is the subject of this blog post. Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Making Successful Transitions

I have learned that people experience change in very different ways – some embrace it; some dread it; some resist it; and some cannot handle change at all – and retreat. As director, I witnessed each. This caused me to think very carefully about how to present changes in my programs – and make them as gradual as I could. So, when it came to children moving up to the next age group each September, we created a thoughtful and gradual transition for both the children and their parents… Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Taking Time to Reflect

January is often the month for putting into practice something new and helpful. Have you considered journaling and reflecting about your work days? Here is a way to begin … Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Setting the Stage for the Children

When we design our early childhood classrooms, we essentially become the director of a Broadway production. We have an empty stage—filled with possibility. We build the set (walls, flooring, doors, windows). We paint the backdrop scenery. We add the furniture … Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—The Teacher-Parent Partnership

Building a community between children, parents, and teachers is the #1 goal of an early childhood program. So, how do we cultivate a climate where parents feel welcome and relevant in our child care centers? Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—The Partnership

The partnership between parent and teacher cannot be underestimated. When it is built on mutual trust and respect, everything else falls into place – everything! Read on … Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Receiving Feedback

To continue the conversation from the previous post about giving feedback, I want to talk a bit about receiving feedback – from the parents in our programs. Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Giving Feedback

If you are the director or supervisor of an early childhood center, school, program or organization, undoubtedly you have had to address performance issues within your team. This is one of the most stressful parts of the job, and I hope what I’ve learned will be helpful to you. Read on… Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Building Your Team

If you are the Director of an Early Childhood Program, much of your work centers around finding and hiring your team – and then working together effectively. Building and growing your team will take time. But if you know some of the indicators of success, you can look for these traits in the people you interview. One of these indicators is having a high degree of Emotional Intelligence. Continue reading

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Beyond the Book—Your First (and most important) Days as Director

Once you accept the position as Director, you will need to think long and hard about what kind of director you will be for your team, for the parents, and for the children in your program. I think this is your first, and most important task – before you begin your new job. Read on to gather some thoughts from an experienced director. And then create your vision of you. Continue reading

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