From Resolution to Reality: How Childcare Leaders Can Make 2025 Their Best Year Yet
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The start of the new year always comes with a wave of energy and ambition. It’s the time when we feel compelled to make big changes, set lofty goals, and dive headfirst into new trends. But here’s a question for you: How many of those New Year’s resolutions actually stick? Studies have shown that approximately 80% fail by mid-February, and only 8% of people achieve their goals at all.
With those odds, if you asked me what I’d focus on if I were a childcare director right now, my answer would probably surprise you. I wouldn’t be chasing the latest buzzwords or implementing sweeping changes just because it’s a new year. Instead, I’d focus on sharpening the tools we already have, grounding my team in what works, and taking practical steps to set them—and the children—up for success.
The Temptation of New Year Trends
Every January, it’s easy to get caught up in aspirational practices that feel transformative on paper but often fizzle out in execution. Maybe you’re tempted to overhaul your entire curriculum, adopt the latest childcare app, or introduce five new policies at once. These big moves sound impressive, but let’s be honest—how many of them actually stick and make a difference?
For example, there’s always a trend promising to "gamify" classroom management or revolutionize staff engagement. While these ideas may work in some contexts, they’re often short-lived distractions that fail to address the real needs of your team. And let’s not forget the allure of setting over-the-top goals such as doubling family engagement by February or achieving flawless compliance on the first audit of the year.
These trends aren’t inherently bad—they just need to be weighed against the practical realities of your program. Before diving into something new, ask yourself:
Does this align with our program’s mission and vision?
Do I have the resources and bandwidth to implement this effectively?
Will this bring long-term value to my team and the children we serve?
Let’s Take it Back to Basics with Practical, Actionable Steps
If I were still leading a childcare program today, I’d take a simpler, more focused approach. I’d prioritize what matters most: setting my team up for success with strategies that are both impactful and sustainable.
Here’s what that would look like:
1. Conducting Mid-Year Check-Ins
Instead of diving into the latest trends, I’d sit down with my teachers one-on-one for reflective conversations. These check-ins wouldn’t be about micromanaging or critiquing—it’s about taking the pulse of the team.
Burnout is real, and understanding where your team stands halfway through the year is critical to ensuring they have the support they need. Taking time to check in with your staff not only helps you gauge their stress levels but also shows them that their well-being is a priority. These conversations can uncover hidden challenges and opportunities to provide the encouragement or resources they need to finish the year strong.
How to do it:
Start by celebrating wins: “What’s one thing you’re proud of from the first half of the year?”
Address challenges: “What’s been your biggest obstacle so far?”
Offer support: “What resources, training, or tools would help you feel more confident?”
These conversations are about listening, not fixing everything on the spot. They give teachers a chance to feel heard and provide leaders with valuable insights to inform decisions for the rest of the year.
2. Refining (Not Reinventing) Program Goals
New year, same mission. If I were leading a program, I’d revisit our existing goals rather than piling on new ones. The focus would be on refinement and alignment, not overhauling everything.
Your mission and vision should guide every decision you make, like a compass pointing the way- not the changing of the calendar. Adding too many new initiatives dilutes your efforts and overwhelms your team.
Try this instead:
Host a collaborative staff meeting to review goals.
Facilitate discussions on progress: “What’s working well?” “Where are we falling short?”
Adjust priorities based on feedback.
For example, if boosting family engagement is a goal but attendance at events has been low, I’d explore practical, low-barrier strategies like hosting virtual Q&A sessions for busy families or casual morning coffee chats for parents with more flexible schedules. These approaches not only help gather valuable insights from families but also provide teachers with actionable feedback they can use to strengthen their family engagement efforts.
3. Kicking Off the Year with Energizing PD
Rather than chasing the latest trend, I’d invest in professional development that aligns with my team’s actual needs. This wouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all training—it would be tailored to meet teachers where they are.
PD is most effective when it’s relevant, actionable, and connected to what teachers are experiencing in their classrooms. That’s exactly what we’ll dive into during the Winning Beyond the Workshop Masterclass—a session designed to help you create professional development that inspires real change, equips teachers with practical tools, and addresses the challenges they face every day.
Here's how I’d do it:
Start with a needs assessment to give teachers the opportunity to share their challenges and priorities.
Analyze staff performance data alongside children’s learning and development outcomes to guide the selection of professional development opportunities.
Incorporate team-building activities into the plan to strengthen connections and boost morale.
And yes, I’d make sure there were snacks. You can’t underestimate the power of a table stocked with teachers’ favorite candies, perhaps taco bar that beats the usual sandwich platter, or homemade desserts that put those grocery store muffins to shame. Little touches like these can turn a regular training session into something everyone actually looks forward to.
4. Refreshing Classroom Environments
Forget flashy tech or trendy curriculum swaps—sometimes the best investment is a good old-fashioned classroom refresh.
You can’t take for granted the messages a well-organized, thoughtfully stocked classroom sends to children. A clean and inviting space shows them that their learning matters and that this is a place where they belong. It sparks curiosity and independence, making them feel comfortable enough to explore, take risks, and try new things.
There’s a reason we say, “the environment is the third teacher.” The space itself plays a huge role in how children learn. When materials are easy to reach, toys are rotated to keep things fresh, and shelves are labeled so children know where things go, the classroom becomes a partner in teaching. A thoughtful environment doesn’t just support great teaching—it helps create it.
Take these three steps:
Declutter: Encourage teachers to purge broken or outdated materials.
Organize: Provide bins, labels, and storage solutions to streamline classrooms.
Restock: Ask teachers to create a list of materials they need, and prioritize purchases that align with program goals.
A refreshed classroom isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality and giving teachers the tools they need to succeed. When the space is organized and intentional, it reduces stress, saves time, and allows teachers to focus on what matters most: connecting with children and supporting their growth. It’s about creating an environment that helps everyone work smarter, not harder.
5. Balancing Accountability with Celebration
Finally, I’d focus on creating a culture where accountability and appreciation coexist. Teachers need to know that their contributions matter and that their efforts are seen and valued. At the same time, clear expectations and consistent follow-through ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals. Balancing these two elements isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for building trust and maintaining a strong team dynamic. A culture like this encourages open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the program’s success—because when people feel appreciated, they’re more likely to rise to the occasion.
Clear expectations set the foundation for success, but recognition keeps your team motivated and engaged. When people know what’s expected of them and feel appreciated for their efforts, they’re more likely to go above and beyond. It’s a powerful combination that not only boosts morale but also drives consistent, high-quality performance.
This is how you'll do it:
Revisit program policies to ensure consistency and fairness.
Address gaps in performance with coaching and support, not punishment.
Celebrate wins—big and small—during staff meetings, in newsletters, or through personal notes of appreciation.
This could look like a teacher staying late to help organize materials for an upcoming classroom project and taking a moment to thank them personally and maybe leave a small note of appreciation on their desk. Recognition doesn’t have to be grand—it’s the simple, thoughtful gestures that often mean the most.
The Bottom Line: Intentional Leadership Wins Every Time
In a world where the temptation to do more is everywhere, intentionality is your secret weapon. It’s not about juggling a million tasks or launching countless initiatives—it’s about focusing on what truly moves the needle. When you align your actions with your program’s mission and vision, every decision you make drives meaningful progress. Intentional leadership isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things with purpose and clarity.
Ready to dive deeper into strategies that create real, lasting impact? Join us for the Winning Beyond the Workshop Masterclass, where you’ll discover how to create professional development that inspires real change, equips your team with tools they’ll actually use, and transforms your program into a place where teachers thrive and children succeed. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your leadership approach and set your program up for success in 2025!
This year, let’s leave the trends behind and focus on what truly matters: empowering our teams and creating programs that thrive.