The 250th anniversary is a great chance to teach children about community, rules, and being a good neighbor. In this guide, you will find simple, ready-to-use ideas for #Michigan child care programs. Use stories, songs, field trips, and small projects to help children feel proud and connected to t... How can Michigan providers teach community and citizenship for the 250th anniversary?
If you want to open or grow a child care program in Michigan using Caring for MI Future funds, this guide helps you plan step by step. You will learn how to find money, meet state rules, buy or fix a building, hire and train staff, and set up safe outdoor play. This article is for child care directo... How can I open or expand a child care program in Michigan with Caring for MI Future funding?
Many Michigan directors and providers want clear, practical steps to improve their Great Start to Quality level. This article explains how online training — especially courses and tools from ChildCareEd — can help your team do the work reviewers look for. You will find a simple plan, qui... How can Michigan childcare programs raise their Great Start to Quality rating with online training?
When lesson planning keeps spilling into evenings, the answer is rarely to work faster or create more elaborate activities. Use a brief reflection routine to pinpoint what is consuming your time, then simplify your process while keeping learning responsive and meaningful; Getting on the Right Path t... Is Your Preschool Lesson-Planning Routine Taking Too Much Time?
A welcoming winter celebration begins before the decorations go up: it starts with listening to the families in your classroom. Use a thoughtful questionnaire to learn what feels meaningful, comfortable, and accessible, then build an event where children can participate without pressure. ChildCareEd... What Should You Ask Families Before a Classroom Winter Celebration?
When the same difficult moment shows up at the same time each day, it may be a clue about the routine—not a sign that a child is choosing to be difficult. Learn to spot the pattern, respond with empathy, and make practical adjustments; the The ABCs of Behavior: Turning Challenges into Learning... Why Does Challenging Behavior Happen at the Same Time Each Day?
A suspected allergic emergency is stressful, but a practiced team response can replace confusion with clear action. The one-hour Prevention of and Response to Allergic Reactions course can help staff strengthen prevention and response knowledge; pair that learning with clear role assignments so ever... How Should Child Care Staff Assign Roles During an Allergy Emergency?
A crying infant can test even a skilled caregiver, especially when the room is busy and help is not immediately clear. Build a calm, practiced coverage plan—and deepen your prevention knowledge with ChildCareEd’s Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma course, which co... How Can Child Care Programs Plan Staff Backup When an Infant’s Crying Becomes Overwhelming?
An infant who spots a familiar toy in a new part of the room may pause, reach, turn it over, or explore it all over again—small actions that reveal active learning. The Baby Play: Planning Infant and Toddler Activities course can help you turn these everyday discoveries into individualized, de... How Do Infants Explore Familiar Objects in Different Places?
A shared floor mat can support both a baby learning to crawl and a toddler practicing first steps—if the space is planned with each child’s movement, safety, and supervision in mind. Explore the Playful Spaces for Infants & Toddlers course to build practical skills in selecting mater... How Can One Floor Mat Offer Two Experiences for Crawlers and Walkers?