Author: Heidi Walton

Information and inspiration for early care and education professionals.

I is for implementing action steps. Five tips to help you on your goals.

In Quality First, we use the VISION model to guide the quality improvement journey. This is the fourth in a series about the six stages of the VISION model. If you haven’t already, check out our blogs on vision casting,[...]
Read More

S is for Setting Goals: Creating an Effective Quality Improvement Plan

In Quality First, we use the VISION model to guide the quality improvement journey, and every journey needs a roadmap. In this third stage, you’ll focus on setting goals and creating action steps for quality improvement. This quality improvement plan[...]
Read More

Keeping Children Safe with Active Supervision

Supervision is key to keeping children safe in an early learning setting with lots of activity. Active supervision means watching, listening and observing children at all times throughout the day. Read on for five strategies for active supervision. Set up[...]
Read More

Boost Your Program’s Improvement Efforts with an Informal Assessment

A Quality First assessment provides feedback to recognize your program’s unique strengths and help you set goals for quality improvements using objective, research-based tools. Formal assessment is a regular part of participating in Quality First, but an informal assessment is[...]
Read More

Earth-Friendly Early Learning

Now more than ever, we are becoming aware of how our choices affect the environment, our health, and the health of our communities. As early childhood professionals, we are leaders who can make a difference in the health of our[...]
Read More

Marvelous, Miraculous Mud: Celebrating Messy Mud Play

Think back to your earliest memories of mud. Did you make mud pies in your imaginary outdoor kitchen? Poke at it with a stick? Jump in a puddle and feel the mud squish and splash under your feet? Mud is[...]
Read More

Onboarding New Employees: Advice from Two Program Leaders

Early childhood education leaders know how important the first days and weeks of learning are to a new employee’s success. Training new teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteers is vital to the long-term success of any program. New hire orientation[...]
Read More

Free Play, Not Free-For-All

“Play is the work of the child.” — Maria Montessori The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales defines free play as when “a child is permitted to choose materials and companions and, as far as possible, manage play independently.” Through free[...]
Read More

Lullabies to letters: Developing language and literacy through music

The right music can change the mood of a learning environment. Music can invite children to get active and silly — or slow down and relax. Songs can also be effective in focusing children’s attention during transitions or when introducing[...]
Read More