Quality First Blog, Tips and Inspiration

Free inspiration and resources are just an added bonus. Helping you is just what we do. See the latest blogs, tips and research on how you can provide the highest-quality care and improve your early learning setting.

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Redefining Kindergarten Readiness: Helping Families Understand Their Child’s Journey

As an early childhood educator, you play a vital role in preparing children for their next big step: kindergarten. Families trust you to keep their children safe, nurture their growth, and set the foundation for lifelong learning. But kindergarten readiness isn’t just about knowing ABCs or counting. It’s about fostering curiosity, social and emotional skills,

Handling the Holidays: Honoring different cultures and traditions

As early childhood educators, it is our job to respect and honor every child and family in our care. Families come from all kinds of backgrounds and celebrate traditions in different ways. Even in programs where families seem similar, they often have unique ways of marking special occasions. Quality early learning programs work with families

Girl in Vegetable Garden

More than a Garden: Deepening Children’s Connection to Culture and Community

A group of eager preschoolers gather around garden beds on a sunny day, their hands busy harvesting the fruits of their labor. Their class garden is bursting with color and produce, showcasing the results of their hard work. For Michael Brown and the teachers in his program, this harvest is more than just a fun

Your Quality First Marketing Toolkit in Action: Part 2- Optimizing Your Digital Tools

As an early education program leader, you understand the importance of marketing on your program’s sustainability and impact. Effective marketing builds awareness of your program and what makes you unique, helping you reach new families and serve more children.  Does your program have a strong online presence?  Digital marketing tools help you reach families where

Your Quality First Marketing Toolkit In Action: Part 1 – Leveraging physical tools for success

Marketing is a crucial tool to help you stand out in your community and showcase what makes your program unique. Effective marketing can boost enrollment and extend your impact on the children and families in your community. Physical marketing materials provide a tangible connection with your audience, making your brand more memorable and engaging. These

Child Care Provider Appreciation: 5 Ways to Say Thanks

Did you know Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is Friday, May 10, 2024? This national day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day, and is designed to recognize the early educators, family child care providers, and caregivers of young children.  As a program leader, how will you recognize the early childhood providers, teachers, and staff

Honoring Extraordinary Staff: Tips from a Program Leader

Early childhood education leaders know how important staff recognition is to morale and retention. When teachers feel recognized, they may be more likely to stay in their jobs, making an even greater long-term impact on the children in their care. We recently caught up with Reem Kievit, the Director of Community Schools and Preschool Program