Latest Blog & News
How Can Child Care Programs Best Prepare Little Ones for the Kindergarten Transition?
07/15/2026Starting kindergarten is an exciting and meaningful milestone for children and families, but the transition can also bring uncertainty and stress. This article provides child care providers and directors with practical, research-informed strategies for making the move to kindergarten calmer, kinder,... How Can Child Care Programs Best Prepare Little Ones for the Kindergarten Transition?
How can child care programs build reliable sun safety routines with sunscreen, hats, and shade?
07/15/2026Young children spend hours learning, moving, and exploring outdoors, making it essential for early care professionals to create routines that protect them from excessive sun and heat exposure without limiting meaningful outdoor play. This article brings together evidence, policy guidance, and practi... How can child care programs build reliable sun safety routines with sunscreen, hats, and shade?
How do I create meaningful individual learning goals for young children?
07/17/2026Creating clear, child-centered learning goals is a practical skill for directors and providers who want teaching to be purposeful, measurable, and equitable. This article provides step-by-step guidance for designing, implementing, and reviewing individual goals so every child can make meaningful pro... How do I create meaningful individual learning goals for young children?
How do I build a fall routine that actually sticks in my classroom?
07/15/2026As the busy fall season begins, establishing a predictable and practical routine can help children, staff, and families settle into the new program year with greater confidence. This guide shows child care directors and classroom educators how to design, introduce, and maintain a fall #routine that ... How do I build a fall routine that actually sticks in my classroom?
How can photos and work samples be used as reliable assessment evidence?
07/17/2026Using photos and work samples strategically turns everyday learning moments into reliable evidence that supports informed teaching decisions. This guide helps child care providers and directors transform candid images, artwork, writing samples, and other classroom artifacts into meaningful #assessme... How can photos and work samples be used as reliable assessment evidence?
How Can We Teach Young Children About Community Helpers and Work?
07/15/2026Teaching children about the people who keep neighborhoods running creates a meaningful blend of social studies, dramatic play, and social-emotional learning. This guide gives child care providers and directors practical classroom strategies, quick lesson ideas, family engagement approaches, and safe... How Can We Teach Young Children About Community Helpers and Work?
How can child care providers share developmental information with families effectively?
07/17/2026Sharing observations about a child’s growth is one of the most meaningful ways child care providers can support learning and build trust with families. When developmental information is communicated with clarity, empathy, cultural respect, and useful documentation, families are better prepared... How can child care providers share developmental information with families effectively?
Can Superhero Day Capes and Pretend Play Teach Children to Help Others?
07/15/2026Superhero Day—complete with capes, masks, imaginative missions, and dramatic play—is more than a celebration. When planned thoughtfully, it can become a purposeful, play-based strategy for teaching young children about helping others, personal safety, cooperation, and community responsib... Can Superhero Day Capes and Pretend Play Teach Children to Help Others?
How can assessment results be used to plan meaningful activities in early childhood programs?
07/17/2026Using assessment results to plan activities helps educators turn observations and developmental data into purposeful learning experiences for each child. This article guides child care providers and directors in translating informal and formal assessment findings into short-term learning goals, enga... How can assessment results be used to plan meaningful activities in early childhood programs?
How can superhero-themed play help build confidence in young children?
07/15/2026Superhero-themed play can be a practical, developmentally appropriate way to help young children build courage, self-regulation, communication, and social skills. This article gives child care providers and directors classroom-ready strategies for using capes, masks, imaginative missions, and reflec... How can superhero-themed play help build confidence in young children?
