Every day, child care leaders and teachers help families balance work, school, finances, and caregiving responsibilities. When families cannot afford care or are unsure how to apply for assistance, providers can serve as a trusted bridge to reliable information and local support. This article gives ... How Can Child Care Providers Help Families Access Child Care Assistance?
Recruiting and retaining excellent child care staff is one of the most important operational challenges facing directors and providers. Stable, well-supported teams build consistent relationships with children and families, protect program quality, reduce the financial and emotional costs of turnove... How Can I Recruit and Keep Great Child Care Staff?
Young children experience powerful emotions while they are still developing the skills needed to manage their bodies, attention, and behavior. For preschool teachers, directors, and child care providers, brief and predictable mindfulness and calm-down practices can improve safety, strengthen relatio... How can preschool teachers teach mindfulness and calm-down skills so young children actually use them?
Positive, gentle approaches to behavior guidance are not “soft”—they are intentional teaching strategies that help children develop self-control, communication, problem-solving, and relationship skills. Instead of relying on punishment after challenging behavior occurs, child care ... How can child care programs use gentle guidance and positive discipline effectively?
Planting a classroom garden with preschoolers is a high-impact, low-cost way to combine science, social-emotional learning, motor development, healthy eating, and family engagement. When planned thoughtfully, a garden becomes a predictable learning routine where children can dig, plant, water, measu... How can I plant a classroom garden with preschoolers?
Young children learn best through responsive relationships, physical movement, conversation, imaginative play, and hands-on exploration. Clear, realistic screen-time limits help protect these essential experiences while supporting healthy routines, language development, rest, and a calmer classroom ... How can my program set healthy screen-time limits that actually work?
Toddlers are naturally driven to move, climb, balance, and test what their bodies can do. This article gives child care directors and providers practical, evidence-informed strategies for channeling that energy into safe experiences that build strength, coordination, motor planning, and confidence. ... How can child care programs create safe climbing and movement experiences for toddlers?
Preschool teachers and directors can introduce small, meaningful goals—sometimes called “resolutions”—to help young children strengthen self-help abilities, social routines, emotional regulation, and growing independence. Goals should be concrete, achievable, and connected to... How can we set simple resolutions and goals with preschoolers?
Separation anxiety is one of the most common challenges child care providers and directors encounter, especially during morning drop-off, classroom changes, and other unfamiliar transitions. This article offers practical, evidence-informed strategies for reducing toddlers’ distress through sho... How can child care providers help toddlers manage separation anxiety?
Responsive caregiving during feeding, diapering, and rest transforms essential care routines into meaningful opportunities for building safety, secure attachment, communication, and early learning. This article gives child care directors and providers practical, evidence-informed strategies for reco... How can responsive caregiving during feeding, diapering, and rest improve infant care in group settings?