ChildCare Education Institute

☀️ With summer officially here, kids are spending more time outdoors, playing around water, and exploring. While this is the best part of being a kid, it also brings a unique set of safety risks. That’s why National Safety Month is so critical for early childhood educators.

From heat exhaustion and water safety to playground injuries and proper hydration, staying vigilant and compliant with safety regulations is paramount during these warm months.

Is your staff fully equipped to handle summer-specific challenges?

Now is the perfect time to reinforce your center’s commitment to compliance. CCEI offers a robust catalog of professional development courses designed to keep your skills sharp and your program aligned with the highest safety standards.

Explore our Health, Safety, and Nutrition courses today to ensure a safe, fun, and worry-free summer: 👉 https://hubs.la/Q04lc5yZ0

Join us for our next FREE ECE Power Hour webinar where we will explore the developmental foundations of early writing and how everyday classroom experiences can support this growth.

Every Mark Matters: Supporting Early Writing Development 📝

💡 What we'll cover:
- Fine Motor Skills: Play and self-care activities that build writing readiness.
- Early Writing Stages: Evolution from scribbles and basic shapes to early letter-like forms.
- Brain and Neurodevelopment: How the brain and body connect to physically write.

🌟 Bonus: You will earn 1 hour of in-service credit for attending!

🗣️ Presented by: Joni Kuhn, Assistant Professor, School of Education at Rasmussen University.

📅 When: Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM Central

Don't miss out on these fantastic insights and classroom-ready strategies.

👉 Register for this session today! https://hubs.la/Q04kHGt70

June is here, and with it comes the high-energy transition to summer programs. ☀️ But for early childhood directors, June also brings a critical question: How do we keep our educators from burning out before the fall even begins?

True staff retention begins with building a "Culture of Care"—an infrastructure where teachers feel structurally supported, not just managed.

💡 What does a Culture of Care look like in practice? Instead of expecting teachers to tackle professional development during their precious weekends, carve out 45 minutes on a rainy June afternoon. Grab some iced coffee, clear the classrooms, and let your team knock out a fast-tracked course as a collective. ☕️📖

By shifting the environment, you transform training into a supportive, collective tool. You give your team the skills to manage active summer classrooms confidently—while quietly securing compliance hours ahead of the autumn rush.

This month, challenge yourself to shift the narrative. How can you use PD to support your teachers’ well-being, rather than just check a box?

Let’s lead with empathy this summer. ❤️

As early childhood educators, your days are filled with offering patience, guidance, and endless kindness to the children in your care. When a child is struggling, you know exactly how to speak to them with gentleness and reassurance.

But what does your inner voice sound like when you are the one having a tough moment?
Next time you feel overwhelmed, try this simple mindset shift:

❌ Instead of: "I can’t handle this."
✅ Try: "This is a hard moment, and I’m doing the best I can."

❌ Instead of: "I'm not doing a good job."
✅ Try: "I can take this one moment at a time."

Your 1-minute reset for today:
1️⃣ Pause and notice your inner voice.
2️⃣ Place a hand on your chest and take a slow breath.
3️⃣ Offer yourself the exact same kind words you would give to a struggling child.

Prioritizing your own mental wellness isn't selfish—it's what allows you to show up fully for your students.

We’ve gathered more educator-focused mental health and wellness resources for you. Check out the link in the first comment below to explore. 👇

Dr. Mitchell presented to a packed room at the PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) Grantee Gathering — and the conversation is powerful! 👏🎉

In today’s session she shed a light on an important topic in early childhood education: increasing male representation in the ECE workforce.

Right now, men make up only 2–3% of early childhood educators nationwide. As programs continue working through staffing shortages, bringing more men into the field isn’t just good for diversity — it helps create stronger teams, broader perspectives, and meaningful role models for young learners. 💙

We loved seeing so many passionate educators and leaders engaged in this conversation and committed to strengthening the future of ECE together!

Did you know that male educators represent only 2-3% of the early childhood workforce? For administrators navigating ongoing staffing shortages, intentionally recruiting and retaining men isn’t just an equity imperative—it’s a practical strategy for building stronger, more diverse teams.

To address this critical issue, our own Dr. Chrystine Mitchell will be speaking at the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and HSSAP Grantee Gathering hosted by The Pennsylvania Head Start Association!

🗓️ Date: May 27
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
🎤 Session: Honoring the Men in Your Classrooms: Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Male Educators in ECE

Join Dr. Mitchell to examine the latest research, unpack real-world program challenges, and walk away with a practical toolkit—including outreach conversation guides, bias-reducing interview strategies, and mentorship frameworks.

Let’s work together to build gender-diverse teaching teams that deeply benefit our children and families. Will we see you there?

Working in early childhood education is as rewarding as it is demanding. When you’re giving your all to your students, it’s easy to let your own needs slide to the bottom of the to-do list.

But the truth is: You can’t pour from an empty cup. ☕

We often think a "break" requires an hour of free time, but micro-breaks—short pauses lasting just 60 seconds—can be just as vital for lowering tension and regaining focus. This week, we’re challenging our community to embrace the power of the pause.

Try this 1-minute reset today:

1️⃣ Step into a quiet space (even just for a moment).
2️⃣ Roll your shoulders and stretch your neck.
3️⃣ Take a sip of water and a deep breath.
4️⃣ Close your eyes and relax your face.

Small actions lead to sustainable energy. You deserve the same care and patience you give to your students every day.

Looking for more ways to prioritize your well-being? We’ve dropped a link to our educator wellness resources in the first comment below! 👇

Continuing our focus on Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re exploring the power of intentional breathing. 🌬️

In a high-energy classroom, your nervous system is constantly working. When stress builds, a "rhythmic reset" tells your brain it is safe to move from a state of high alert back to a state of calm. The 4-2-6 technique is a tool you can use anywhere to lower your heart rate and regain composure in just 60 seconds.

Swipe to breathe with us. ➡️

Tip: You don’t have to do this perfectly to see the benefits. Even two rounds of this cycle can help you feel more centered for your students.

Looking for more ways to support your well-being? Download our free wellness resources here: https://hubs.la/Q04gpcX70

Register today for our next no-cost ECE Power Hour! ✨

Lately, early childhood educators have noticed a shift: many children are entering the classroom with less physical confidence and fewer opportunities for the type of play that builds resilience.

It’s time to bring that magic back!

On May 14, join Stephanie Johnson, MS, professor at Rasmussen University, as she shares practical strategies from her 20+ years of experience. You’ll learn how to intentionally weave movement, independence, and problem-solving into your daily rhythms—helping your students feel capable, strong, and ready to learn. 🏃‍♂️

Save your spot now for “Back to the Playground: Rebuilding Movement, Confidence, and Problem-Solving in Early Learners.”

🔗 https://hubs.la/Q04fPWkW0

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a vital time to recognize that an educator’s well-being is the foundation of a thriving classroom.

When the environment becomes overwhelming, our brains need a moment to shift from 'react' mode back to 'focus' mode. Taking just 30 seconds to ground yourself doesn't just benefit you—it can shift the entire atmosphere of your room. When we model emotional regulation, our students feel that sense of calm, too.

Swipe through for a simple, 5-step grounding technique you can use right in the moment—whether it's during a transition or a busy activity.

How do you find your center during a high-energy school day? Let us know in the comments for a chance to win a free wellness course! 👇