Advertise on podcast: Early Childhood Investigations

RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software What does it really mean to move beyond anti-bias education in early childhood? For decades, anti-bias work has helped educators nurture children’s identities and celebrate diversity. Yet, despite these important efforts, inequities rooted in racism, ableism, eurocentrism, and monolingualism continue to show up in early learning spaces. In this inspiring and challenging webinar, Dr. Jamie Cho and Ninderjit Gill will invite educators to look more deeply at how everyday practices can either reinforce or disrupt systems of inequity. Together, they’ll explore how justice-centered teaching can create new ways of being—where children’s cultures, languages, and identities are truly honored and where educators act as agents of change in their communities. During this session, you will: Identify examples of Eurocentric practices in early childhood education. Reflect on how current classroom norms may reflect dominant cultural values and beliefs. Take intentional action steps toward centering diversity, equity, and justice. Join us to reimagine what equity can look like in early childhood—and to strengthen your role in building programs where every child and family feels seen, heard, and valued.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Every emotion, reaction, and behavior tells a story—and it begins deep within the brain and body. In this insightful and grounding session, we’ll explore the fascinating connection between the brain, the nervous system, and emotional regulation in early childhood. Children’s ability to self-regulate doesn’t develop overnight; it’s nurtured through caring relationships and co-regulation with responsive adults. In this session led by Richard Cohen, M.A., we’ll trace how thoughts and feelings travel through the body to become actions—and what that means for the moments we share with young children each day. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of: How the brain and nervous system work together to shape emotions and behavior. Why children’s “big feelings” are opportunities for connection, not correction. The difference between self-regulation and co-regulation—and the adult’s vital role in both. Practical, real-world strategies to help children (and yourself) move from dysregulation to calm. This session will leave you with both the science and the heart of emotional regulation—equipping you with compassionate, neuroscience-informed tools to support young children’s social-emotional growth and your own well-being along the way.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Most child care directors are trained to nurture children—not to crunch numbers. Yet without financial clarity, even the strongest programs can falter. In this high-impact session, bestselling authors and child care business experts Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey will show you how to shift from “hoping the bills get paid” to leading with confidence. You’ll uncover three common blind spots that quietly drain centers of revenue and stability: Reading financial reports without fear—and knowing what really matters in a P&L.Forecasting with confidence, instead of reacting to every crisis.Using classroom-level data to make smart staffing and enrollment decisions. Through quick-win demos and real-world examples, you’ll see how a single staffing shift can boost margins by 5–10%—and how the right tools can transform directors into financial leaders. This session isn’t about becoming an accountant. It’s about gaining the clarity every director needs to safeguard their program, their team, and their future. Walk away with practical tools you can use immediately, plus an exclusive invitation to dive deeper in our Masterclass on Child Care Finance for Directors—where we’ll equip you with the full system to thrive.

RESOURCES   ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Observation is at the heart of effective early childhood practice, yet it is also an art—one that calls you to slow down, notice, and truly see the child before you. In this session, you’ll be invited to step into the role of a keen observer, sharpening your awareness and deepening your understanding of what unfolds in your learning environment each day. We’ll begin by exploring the foundations of observation through the lens of Montessori pedagogy and philosophy, grounding you in the why behind this essential practice. You’ll learn how observation is defined in a Montessori context and consider its unique role as both a scientific and spiritual act—insights that can strengthen your practice in any early childhood setting. From there, we’ll move into the how—practical strategies for watching with intention, waiting with patience, and wondering with curiosity. You’ll discover the many types of observation available and reflect on what can be observed: children’s choices, behaviors, interactions, developmental milestones, and the prepared environment itself. As you uncover these layers, you’ll begin to see how observation can transform not only your teaching but also your relationships with the children in your care. Finally, we’ll explore what comes next—how to use your observations to guide practice, inform decision-making, and better meet the needs of each individual child. Along the way, you’ll be reminded of the profound benefits that emerge when you watch closely, wait thoughtfully, and wonder deeply. Whether you’re new to early childhood education or a seasoned professional, this session will inspire you to refine your most valuable tool: the art of observation. You’ll walk away ready to see your children with fresh eyes and renewed understanding. Learning Objectives By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Explore the foundations of observation within Montessori pedagogy and its relevance to all early childhood settings. Develop practical strategies to observe with intention, patience, and curiosity. Identify key aspects of children’s development, behavior, and environment that can be observed, along with different methods of observation. Apply observations to guide practice, support teaching and learning, and strengthen relationships with children.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Billing and tuition policies are the backbone of every successful child care program. In this engaging webinar, Monique Reynolds, VP of ECE Business Support Services, will share practical strategies for creating or strengthening systems that ensure payments are received on time, reduce stress, and keep operations running smoothly. You’ll learn how to set clear expectations from the start—or refine the approach you already have—while confidently navigating tough conversations and establishing policies that protect revenue and foster positive family relationships. By the end of this interactive session, you’ll have actionable tools to strengthen your financial foundation, streamline processes, and gain peace of mind. Whether your goal is to eliminate late payments, update your current practices, or build trust with families, the strategies shared in this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make your billing policies work for you. Learning Objectives After attending this session, you will be able to: Develop tuition policies that set clear expectations and minimize payment issues.Apply strategies to collect fees on time with less stress and conflict.Handle financial conversations with parents confidently and professionally.Establish systems that support long-term financial stability and smooth operations.Strengthen family relationships through transparent, consistent practices.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software With big reactors, “gentle parenting” often doesn’t work. These children tend to reject calming tools. As one six-year-old put it, “I remember the tools before; I remember them after; I just don’t remember them in the middle.” They often find it intrusive and overwhelming when parents validate and talk about their emotions. This can lead to outbursts like, “Stop talking to me! Stop telling me that! I’m not sad!” When their brains and bodies are flooded with big emotions, the more parents, teachers, and caregivers try to convince them to cooperate, the less likely they are to do so. This workshop—based on Claire Lerner, LICSW’s new book, Big Reactors: Practical Strategies for Parenting Highly Sensitive Children—will present key insights and tools to help anyone supporting a young child’s development. You’ll learn how to thread the needle of being connected, sensitive, and responsive while also setting the firm limits big reactors need to develop self-regulation and thrive. If you care for a child(en) who goes from 0 to 100 in a nanosecond when things don’t go their way; who seems laser-focused on being in power and control; who can’t tolerate correction and blames others for everything; and with whom few, if any, conventional cooperation strategies work—this webinar is for you. Drawing from decades of work with these complex and often confusing children, Claire will share detailed case examples and reveal the “detective work” process she uses to help parents, teachers, and caregivers uncover the root causes of challenging behaviors and develop sensitive, effective, real-life strategies that work—not just in theory. Participants will learn to: Identify the key traits of highly sensitive children (big reactors) Understand the root causes behind many of their challenging behaviors Apply effective strategies to help big reactors manage big emotions RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Enrollment isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation of your program’s culture, finances, and family relationships. In this session, we’ll explore how the right policies and procedures can streamline the enrollment process while building trust with staff and families. You’ll learn how to design staff and parent handbooks that set clear expectations, foster engagement, and reflect your values. Then, we’ll dive into practical strategies for enrollment: collecting the right information up front, structuring fees and deposits, and automating tasks like emails and forms to create a smooth experience for families. Finally, we’ll look at how predictive enrollment, reviews, and referrals can keep your pipeline full—helping you plan capacity with confidence and sustain your program’s growth. By the end of this session, you will be able to: Craft policies that shape a positive culture and strengthen staff and family trust.Build handbooks that support compliance while boosting engagement and retention.Implement streamlined enrollment systems that reduce friction and prevent churn.Use predictive enrollment and referrals to sustain growth and meet financial goals.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠ Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Early childhood leadership shouldn’t require self-sacrifice. In this energizing and interactive session, we’ll move beyond surface-level self-care tips and dive into what it truly takes to lead thriving teaching teams. Using the H.E.A.R.T.™ framework (Healing Environments for Aligned and Regulated Teams) and the ECE Wellbeing Survey, participants will explore the science of stress, embodied leadership practices, and community care strategies that promote long-term well-being—for both staff and students. Join the Founder of Rooted: A Wellness Collective, Monica Rollins for hands-on activities, developing small-group connections, and practical shifts you can implement right away. What you’ll learn: Examine the limitations of traditional self-care and discover strategies for cultivating aligned, collective care within early childhood teams. Practice embodied leadership techniques, including recognizing nervous system cues, resetting stress responses, and leveraging co-regulation to support staff and students. Take aligned action by creating one to two goals that enhance team well-being and foster sustainable leadership practices.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Compliance Without the Chaos – Inspections don’t haveto be stressful. Learn how to package and practice what you’re already doing into a system that manages risk, closes gaps, and keeps your program inspection-ready every day. Take control by communicating your proactive processes andprocedures to stay ahead of licensing requirements! This session will show you how to maintain accurate records, document your audits, and demonstrate how you minimize risk. You’ll gain confidence knowing your program is always inspection-ready and fully aligned with licensing standards ensuring a safe, high-quality environment where both children and teachers thrive. 3 Key Takeaways Do More with What You Have: Turn what you’re already doing into a compliance story that doubles as a risk management best practice.Inspector Myth-Busting: Get the inside scoop on what inspectors really think (spoiler: it’s not all “gotcha” moments).Tame High-Risk Moments: Learn how to manage your riskiest compliance situations with simple, repeatable systems that keep your program—and your sanity—intact.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software You’ve invested in training. You’ve implemented behavior frameworks. You’ve supported individual classrooms—yet certain patterns persist: chronic dysregulation, staff burnout, uneven implementation, and behavior challenges that resurface no matter how many strategies are introduced. In this session, you are invited to step back from the classroom lens and examine what is often overlooked: the adult system itself. This presentation reframes behavior support as a leadership and organizational issue—not a child-level problem to be solved in isolation. You’ll explore how adult regulation, leadership alignment, emotional intelligence, and program structures either strengthen or erode a child’s capacity to self-regulate and engage. Rather than focusing on compliance or quick fixes, this session centers on building sustainable adult capacity—the conditions that allow regulation, consistency, and relational safety to take root across teams. Designed for directors, administrators, coaches, and teacher-leaders, this webinar invites you to reflect on your role as a culture builder and systems shaper. You’ll examine how leadership practices, communication patterns, and operational decisions directly influence classroom climate and behavior-support outcomes. Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to shift from managing behavior to strengthening the systems that support both children and educators. Led by Rachel Supalla, M.Ed., this session is ideal for leaders ready to move beyond tactics and toward long-term, scalable change—where regulation is embedded, adult capacity is prioritized, and behavior support becomes a shared responsibility across the organization. Learning Objectives By the end of this session, you will be able to: Analyze persistent behavior challenges through a leadership and systems-level lensIdentify how adult regulation and organizational culture impact child behavior and classroom climateExamine leadership practices that either support or undermine regulation across teamsApply capacity-building principles that promote sustainable behavior support in early childhood settingsRESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software In today’s competitive child care market, simply being a “good center” isn’t enough — you need a proven strategy to become the #1 choice for families in your community. That’s exactly what you’ll gain in the Own Your Zip Code Blueprint™ webinar.   Join Bruce W. Spurr, CEO of Grow Your Center, as he reveals the full-funnel marketing strategy used by top-performing centers to turn empty spots into waitlists. You’ll discover how to build unstoppable momentum by mastering both traffic (paid ads, organic marketing, and brand building)and conversion (capturing leads, booking tours, and enrolling families).   This session will walk you step-by-step through the five stages of a winning enrollment funnel:   Traffic & Brand – Learn how to balance quick-but-costly ads with long-term organic growth that builds lasting marketing assets.Getting the Lead – Understand how parents “vibe check” your website, reviews, and social media before ever reaching out.Booking the Tour – Discover why speed-to-lead is everything, and how CRM tools and automation can give you the edge over competitors.Tour Show-Up – Use proven automation and reminders to dramatically increase show-up rates.Tour & Close – Wow families with a hospitality-focused, five-senses tour that converts visits into enrollments.  Whether you’re struggling to stand out or ready to dominate your market, this webinar will equip you with the clarity, confidence, and tools to finally own your zip code.   By the end of this webinar, you will be able to: Understand the five critical stages of a modern child care enrollment funnel.Balance paid ads and organic marketing to drive predictable traffic.Build a website, review profile, and social presence that earn parents’ trust instantly.Use CRM tools and automation to book more tours and boost show-up rates.Apply a proven tour-to-enrollment framework that fills classrooms. RESOURCES Watch the full webinar hereCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Too many child care programs lose money not because of a lack of demand, but because owners and directors aren’t aligned. When leadership teams lack a shared vision, the result can be under-enrollment, inconsistent practices, and financial strain. In this insightful session, child care program growth experts Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey will share proven strategies to bridge the gap between owners and directors so programs can thrive. You’ll learn how to foster alignment that empowers directors to manage profitably, enables owners to lead effectively, and allows entire teams to work toward sustainable success. Together, we’ll explore three key strategies every program needs to: Increase enrollment by building systems that keep classrooms full and families engaged. Strengthen leadership by ensuring owners and directors work in sync rather than in silos. Boost financial sustainability by putting more money back into your program without sacrificing quality. Whether you attend as an owner, a director, or as a leadership pair, you’ll leave with practical tools you can immediately apply to strengthen your program’s operations and bottom line. As a special bonus, you’ll also be invited to an upcoming three-hour masterclass designed to help you launch your summer programming profitably and set your team up for success all year long.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Have you ever felt overwhelmed by toddler screams, food-throwing, or frustrated outbursts? You’re not alone—and there are effective ways to turn those challenging moments into opportunities for connection and learning. In this engaging session, led by toddler expert, Raelene Ostberg, you’ll discover practical techniques that foster both verbal and nonverbal language skills, helping children replace ear-shattering screams with meaningful phrases and gestures. You’ll also gain insight into how infants and toddlers develop the critical language skills that reduce negative behaviors and learn the typical developmental expectations for expressive and receptive language in the first two years.Through entertaining real-life stories and engaging videos, you’ll see strategies in action and leave inspired with numerous evidence-based tools to build harmony in your early learning environment. Join us to transform everyday challenges into joyful breakthroughs—reducing stress, strengthening connections, and unlocking the magic of early learning. Objectives: Adult learners will be able to: Identify effective techniques that promote communication skills in infants and toddlers Explain how adult interactions influence the development of executive function and learning skills Apply prompting cues to support young learners during behavioral challenges

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software Babies are natural engineers—and Loose Parts are their tools for exploration! This engaging session explores how Loose Parts play supports infant development, encourages sensory exploration, and fosters early cognitive and motor skills. Join Infant Mental Health & Early Years Specialist, Sophie Rayner-Grignon to discover how to become an active, responsive partner in play with infants. You’ll dive into the curious minds of babies, unpack common barriers, and reframe your approach to infant play through a developmental and trauma-informed lens. Leave with practical ideas, real-world examples, and a curated collection of next-step resources to help educators, infants, and their communities engage meaningfully with Loose Parts. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Describe the benefits of Loose Parts play for infant learning, development, and sensory exploration. Identify strategies for becoming an active and responsive partner in infant play using Loose Parts. Recognize and address common barriers to implementing Loose Parts play in early childhood settings. Apply practical strategies and setup ideas for safe, developmentally appropriate Loose Parts experiences. Reflect on personal beliefs and practices around infant play, and plan actionable next steps to integrate Loose Parts into daily routines.

RESOURCES ⁠Watch the full webinar here⁠Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week.⁠Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software This engaging and interactive workshop will explore practical, joyful ways to nurture early literacy, emotional regulation, and social connection in young children through the powerful combination of carefully selected picture books, songs, rhythm, and rhyme. Join Anne Meeker Watson, Ph.D., MT-BC, Music Therapist and Early Childhood Consultant at SING.PLAY.LOVE., author of Sing & Sign with Young Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals, and recipient of NAPPA and Parents’ Choice Honors awards for her global music programming. You’ll discover how these simple, everyday tools are deeply intertwined with social-emotional learning (SEL), providing a holistic foundation for development. We will delve into clear criteria for selecting rich picture book literature that captivates young minds and offers concrete opportunities for teaching a variety of essential skills. The session will feature favorite books with concrete examples of activities and songs, demonstrating how to bring stories to life with musical elements to support: • Early Literacy: Enhancing phonological awareness, vocabulary, and print motivation through rhythmic reading and sing-alongs. • Emotional Regulation: Using specific songs and movements to help children identify, express, and manage big feelings. • Social Connection: Fostering cooperation, empathy, and positive interactions through shared musical play and story experiences. You'll leave with key takeaways for seamlessly including music and books into your daily routines, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary learning opportunities that build joyful, confident, and connected young learners. Join us to unlock the magic of harmonizing growth in your early childhood setting! LEARNING OBJECTIVESParticipants will be able to: 1. Identify simple, joyful ways to integrate picture books, songs, rhythm, and rhyme into early childhood settings. 2. Explain how music and books support social-emotional learning (SEL) in young children. 3. Demonstrate concrete activities and songs using selected picture books to support early literacy, emotional regulation, and social connection.