5 Simple Steps that Boost Childcare Relationships in 5 Minutes or Less
Anisha Grossett • January 3, 2024
Connection and relationships form the foundation of caring for young children.
As natural connectors, early childhood professionals strive daily to establish a secure base for relationships with children, coworkers, and parents. However, we all know how busy days with young children can be. Due to centre hours, meetings, paperwork, and other staffing duties, educators often get pulled away during pick-up or drop-off. With daily routines and transitions, there may be limited time to get everything done, let alone to connect one-on-one with families and caregivers. Some days, it may feel like there is barely time for a brief morning greeting and goodbye.
Discover five simple steps to stay connected, whether in person or through the centre, so you can provide support on days when programs or families cannot connect due to lack of time.
Connect Quickly in Big Ways
Start the Day with a Smile
- Start each day by greeting parents and children with a warm smile and hello. While it may seem awkward to engage with strangers, this simple act supports meaningful interactions. Parents will feel more at ease and be more likely to ask questions or get involved. This kind gesture also fosters a sense of safety and community among all members, including coworkers.
>> Reflection time:
What does "Welcome" mean to you? Visit our Facebook group
to share your favorite ways to welcome families!
Cultivate Community Space
- Create a community space, such as a center or classroom, to encourage parents or caregivers to share their thoughts and feel valued as a family. A family engagement board can serve as a platform for this purpose. Displaying family photos and asking questions can facilitate brief connections that bring parents closer to the community.
>> Try out this
print and post engagement welcome!
Engage families by inquiring about their favorite books, snacks, and playtime activities. Display this resource prominently near sign-in stations to capture their interest.
Communicate with Child-Centric Posters and Pictures
- Posters are an effective way to keep families updated with non-essential information and fun events. Easily catch parents' attention with child-centered visuals and photos. Even without direct interaction, this simple gesture helps families and educators engage more effectively. Consider posting flyers around the center that contain simple play and learning ideas, as well as child development information. This can be a quick and fun way to support families and keep them informed about your program. If you wish to engage in two-way communication with families, use QR codes to share forms, videos, and surveys.
Display Artwork and Achievements
- Families will appreciate their child being recognized in simple but meaningful ways. Showcase children's artwork, learning materials, and photographs in a communal area like the lobby or playground so parents can appreciate their children's growth and development. It only takes a few minutes to share a brief anecdote about a child's positive accomplishment during the day, but this small step strengthens the relationship between the child, parent, and educator.
Download Digital Tools that Connect with a Click
- When using digital documentation tools such as HiMama or Storypark, centres can share quick examples of a child's growth and learning with families regularly. Include photos of children engaged in activities, smiling, and playing with others to provide a well-rounded snapshot of their progress. If programs don't have digital access, use traditional printed photos and share the learning physically!
These are just a few approaches to enhance inclusion and foster a sense of belonging. To prioritize relationships for everyone in the centre, offer various ways to connect that are not one-size-fits-all. As How Does Learning Happen (2014) says, "Every child feels a sense of belonging when they are connected to others and contribute to the world." This applies to parents too. When you create an atmosphere that encourages connection, parental engagement becomes a natural and consistent part of the day, even when things get busy.
Try one (or more!) of these easy-to-implement ideas today. Make sure you come back to the comments and let us know how it goes!
Resources
Ministry of Education, How does learning happen?: Ontario’s pedagogy for the Early Years: A resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children and their families (2014). Toronto; Ministry of Education.
Why ECE Appreciation Starts With Connection Every day, early childhood educators shape the future. Through comforting hugs, meaningful conversations, learning experiences, advocacy, creativity, and care, ECE professionals help children build confidence, belonging, identity, and lifelong foundations for learning. Yet behind the incredible work happening in classrooms, programs, and communities, many educators still experience something that often goes unspoken: isolation. That’s why community matters. As we celebrate Early Childhood Educators' Day and ECE Appreciation, we believe this is more than a moment to recognize educators for what they do — it’s also a time to reflect on how we support them while they do it. Because educators deserve community too. Community Changes Everything In early childhood education, community is powerful. It reminds educators they are not alone in their challenges, ideas, dreams, or experiences. It creates spaces where professionals can collaborate, grow, ask questions, feel seen, and be inspired by one another. Strong communities in ECE can: Reduce feelings of burnout and isolation Encourage innovation and leadership Create opportunities for mentorship and collaboration Support educator wellness and confidence Help professionals feel valued and understood Build stronger programs and stronger outcomes for children and families When educators feel connected, supported, and empowered, entire communities benefit. And the truth is — many educators are looking for more than professional development. They are looking for belonging. The Importance of Finding Your Community Not every community looks the same. For some educators, community is a team within their centre. For others, it’s a mentor, an online network, a professional membership, or a safe space where they can openly discuss the realities of the field. Finding your community means finding people who: Understand the work you do Celebrate your wins Support you through challenges Encourage your growth Inspire you to lead, create, and advocate Community reminds us that we don’t have to navigate this field alone. As educators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates, we grow stronger when we grow together. What Does It Mean to Be a Community Member? Being part of a community is not just about joining a group — it’s about contributing to a culture of support, encouragement, and connection. Great community members: Show up authentically Share ideas and resources Encourage others Listen with empathy Celebrate fellow educators Stay open to learning Create welcoming spaces for others You don’t need a title to make an impact in your community. Sometimes leadership looks like: Checking in on another educator Sharing a helpful resource Encouraging someone who feels discouraged Starting meaningful conversations Creating spaces where others feel included Leadership in ECE begins with connection. Building the Future of Community in ECE At The Early Childhood Coach, we have always believed that educators deserve more than occasional inspiration — they deserve ongoing connection, collaboration, and support. That belief is exactly why we are building the ECC Community Hub. The ECC Community Hub is being designed as a space where early childhood professionals can: Connect with like-minded educators Access professional growth opportunities Join meaningful conversations Build relationships and collaborations Feel supported in both life and career Grow as educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders More than anything, we want this to feel like a true community built for the ECE field. A place where educators can feel empowered, inspired, connected, and celebrated. Reflective Questions for Educators Take a moment to reflect on your own journey within the ECE community: What does community mean to you as an educator? When have you felt the most supported in this field? What kind of community are you currently looking for? How do you currently contribute to the ECE community around you? What would change if you felt more connected professionally and personally? In what ways can you become a stronger community leader? How can you help create spaces where others feel welcomed and valued? What kind of impact do you want to have within the ECE field? You Belong Here ECE Appreciation is not only about recognizing the work educators do. It’s about reminding educators that they matter too. Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. Your leadership matters. And you deserve to be part of a community that pours back into you. As we continue building spaces for connection within the field, we invite you to grow with us. Learn more about the ECC Community Hub Explore the ECC Community Hub here !
As summer winds down and a new program year approaches, many early childhood educators find themselves making lists, reorganizing materials, labeling bins, and preparing for a new group of students. Don’t get me wrong, all these things are important. They create an environment where children can thrive. But before your students come through the door, it’s worth checking in with yourself. How are you preparing yourself? Remember, it’s a new program year for you too. Yes, preparing the classroom space and materials are important, but you’re just as important to your students’ learning. The relationships we build, the way we respond, and the curiosity we bring shape children’s experience every day. So, let’s invest time in preparing our mindset, intentions and well-being. Reflect Before You Reset: Every new year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on the previous one. Ask yourself: What brought me the most joy last year? What challenges did I face? What would I like to do differently? Which routines supported children well, and which could be improved? How did I grow as an educator? Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes. It’s about recognizing what you’ve learning and carrying those lessons forward. Small adjustments can still have a big impact. Reconnect with Your “Why” When schedules become busy and paperwork piles up, it’s easy to slip into simply getting through each day. Before the pace picks up, take a moment to reconnect with the reason you chose this profession. This is a grounding exercise and there’s a reason we talk about it often. Perhaps it’s witnessing a child’s excitement when they solve a problem, or it’s supporting families through important milestones, or creating a place where every child feels they belong. Keeping your purpose at the forefront can help guide decisions through the year and provide perspective during more challenging moments. Prepare for Relationships, Not Just Routines The children in your care won’t remember perfectly organized shelves, but they will remember how they felt in your care. The first few weeks are about much more than learning routines. They’re about building trust. So, let’s be intentional. After all, relationships are the foundation of any learning environment. Think about how you will: Welcome families into your program Help children feel safe and connected Create opportunities for every child to experience success Leave Space for Flexibility It’s natural to want to be organized and prepared before the first day. But don’t forget that some of the most meaningful learning experiences happen when we follow children’s curiosity rather than our own agenda. A well-prepared educator is also a flexible educator. Leave room in your plans for unexpected discoveries, spontaneous conversations, and the interests children bring with them. These moments often become the most memorable because you’ve followed the children’s lead. Check In with Yourself The beginning of a new year or having a new group of students often comes with excitement – but it can also bring pressure. As you care for the children, remember to care for yourself. Are you setting realistic expectations? Do you need to have more recovery time the first few weeks of a new routine? What boundaries will help you maintain balance? Reflection on what helps support your personal well-being. Make a list of people you can turn to when you need support, either in the classroom or out of it. Embrace a Learning Mindset Children aren’t the only learners in the classroom. Every new group of students, every family, and every experience is an opportunity for growth professionally. Rather than striving for perfection or the appearance of perfection, make curiosity the priority. A Fresh Start for Everyone The carefully prepared learning environment is important but so is your warmth, your responsiveness, your patience and your willingness to learn alongside the children in your care. This is what truly creates a place where children can thrive. So, before you organize one more bin in the art cabinet or make another label, take a moment to prepare the most important part of your classroom – you. The year ahead won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. It simply needs an educator who is reflective, present and ready to build meaningful relationships one day, one child, one family at a time. Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, connection, growth and joy – for both the children in your care and for you. We’ll be rooting for you!