Empowered ECE Leaders Equals Lasting Success: ECE Leadership Insights in 2024
Anisha Grossett • April 1, 2024
At The Early Childhood Coach, we know strong leaders have a significant impact on a childcare program’s success. This year, we made it our top priority to gain insight into their daily challenges and provide realistic strategies for success. We started by surveying ECE leaders and educators to understand the current state of ECE leadership in 2024. Below, we discuss these findings, and Anisha shares the exciting solutions she and The ECC created to empower and support leaders and ECE communities.
Tell us about your leadership research and how it informed your latest offerings through The ECC.
We surveyed 36 leaders or aspiring leaders to dive into the distinctive viewpoints, hurdles, and aspirations of individuals currently working in early childhood education (ECE). Their responses provided us with a roadmap for understanding the unique needs of ECE leadership. We used these responses to inform our future programming and develop a new leadership certification program that directly addresses the most common challenges leaders face.
We know leaders have plenty of options for leadership training. Unfortunately, most of these programs do not offer realistic strategies for day-to-day challenges. We created a custom program that tackles the hot topics on every leader’s mind: conflict resolution, burnout, communication, staff turnover, and team growth, to name a few.
The responses from our survey directly informed the topic choices for our program, so we know we’re teaching leaders exactly what they want and need to learn.
We equip leaders at all levels with the confidence and skills to tackle any challenge, transform your team, and build a brighter future for the children in your care.
>>Want to find out why leadership training is essential in 2024? Request a copy of our 2024 Leadership Insights Report
now.
Why did you decide to create a leadership certification program?
Most ECE leaders are not receiving practical leadership training. They are trained on day-to-day operations rather than everyday strategies like having difficult conversations, managing conflict, or navigating different personalities in the classroom. Our study found that 85% of ECE leaders felt unprepared for their leadership role.
Nearly every leader I meet shares the same experience- they feel like they’ve been thrown into their position with little or no support or training. I’ve spent many years in the ECE industry, and this was my experience as well. ECE leaders care deeply about supporting their team’s growth and creating positive environments in the classroom. Leaders want to serve their teams, but with no training and so many tasks, all too often, they lose their spark and get burnt out.
Our Early Childhood Leadership Certificate Program equips current and aspiring ECE leaders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to transform their teams, manage conflict, and build a positive ECE culture that supports the growth and success of their childcare centre.
We also saw a need for developing a unique approach to leadership training depending on where they are in their training, whether a new or aspiring leader or experienced leader who needs an energy recharge. We built two training pathways to support all ECE leaders in their journey:
- The Leadership Launchpad is for new and aspiring ECE leaders who want expert guidance and education that helps them transition from classroom to leadership roles with confidence and realistic strategies for success.
- The Leadership Recharge is for ECE leaders at all levels who want to rediscover their purpose and passion or feel better equipped to handle daily challenges and find a better work-life balance.
>> Ready to level up your leadership skills and feel more confident in your role?
Join the next cohort today!
What do childcare owners and corporate leaders need to know about ECE leadership in 2024?
Business owners spend a lot of money on turnover and retraining staff. If they invested in building effective leaders instead, they would save money in the long run and support business growth. Parents and staff get tired of seeing a new person in the office so often. Owners must understand that it's about not just training leaders on daily activities and tasks but properly equipping them with the skills needed to create a well-rounded program.
Sturdy, effective leaders support their company's growth and boost their business's bottom line. Yet in our recent survey, 88% of respondents said they haven't participated in any leadership or management training programs!
Successful leaders keep enrollment up, retain and support reliable staff, and keep parents and kids happy. It's a win-win when businesses give leaders the resources and education they need to be successful.
Our ECE leadership certification program tackles the real-world challenges that ECE leaders face, providing education, support, and coaching through our team of ECE experts. We become a part of the team, taking the heavy lifting off owner’s shoulders so they can focus on growing the business.
>> We offer group discounts when you enroll multiple leaders! Book a
discovery call
to find out how.
Can you talk about your experience as an ECE leader?
I’ve had many different experiences across roles and companies; I spent more time in my 15 years in ECE as a leader than in the classroom. Like many ECE leaders, I felt thrown into my first leadership role and was not trained to lead a team!
I jumped into leadership at a younger age, so most of my staff were older than me. It was a big thing to address that aspect of proving myself and having them take me seriously. And, of course, issues like this are not discussed in any other leadership programs right now.
I had to learn on the job how to lead educators through problems, like mediating conflict between educators and parents. It’s crucial to make sure parents feel heard and validated while also protecting and supporting your staff. Managing all of that without training or a resource guide was tough!
In most of my roles, the only support I had was from owners or the board of directors. Most of them had never held ECE leadership roles and did not have the experience to help me navigate these difficult conversations and conflicts.
Unfortunately, not much has changed since then, and leaders still feel alone in managing their roles.
>>Learn more about Anisha and The ECC team here.
How did you transition from ECE leadership to becoming a coach?
I used to always think that if I just had a coach who could support me and I could ask questions without judgment, it would be so much better. You have your staff, but you must have boundaries, and there are certain conversations you can’t have with them. But then you often don’t have support from the top-level executives either, so who do you go to? I decided to be the coach that I wanted to have all those years. I see over and over again leaders searching for spaces where they can share struggles and find support that isn’t available in their workplace.
Because I’ve held many different leadership roles in ECE, I have a unique understanding and wealth of experience in all aspects and levels of leadership.
I can help leaders understand what they can change and what they need to let go of. It is so important to manage our own mental health and well-being as leaders. Our leadership survey found that only 14% of leaders had implemented strategies or knew how to manage work-life balance. I help leaders find better work-life balance while supporting their teams to prevent burnout. Both of our leadership tracks tackle these issues so leaders can look forward to lasting success in their personal and professional lives.
Why did you feel it was important to include live coaching sessions in leadership training?
We know leaders are busy but still need personalized support, so we created a custom program with a flexible mix of on-demand training and live coaching sessions. We offer two options for live training for your convenience:
- Virtual coaching: You can meet with me and a small group of peers from the comfort of your own home or office.
- In-person coaching: We book a beautiful space to get together or come to your location to meet directly with your team for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Each coaching session with me is specifically curated to the issues leaders face. They can ask questions and bring issues to the table so we can discuss as a group and problem-solve together. Life at the top can be lonely- I’m here to be your sounding board and safe space to talk through issues, answer questions, and help you recharge and embrace your leadership role.
This also allows leaders to connect with others at a similar stage in their careers. It is so meaningful to be able to talk to someone who understands where you’re coming from.
We want this program to become an extension of your leadership team, supporting the growth and success of your childcare centre by empowering leaders and transforming teams. Learn how we support leaders at every level by visiting
The ECC Leadership Certification Program.
Somewhere along the way, many educators started believing that exhaustion was just “part of the job.” The skipped lunches. The emotional overload. The constant multitasking. The staying late. The taking work home mentally even when you’ve physically left the building. And when you start feeling disconnected, impatient, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained, you begin questioning yourself. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this anymore.” “Maybe I’m losing my passion.” “Maybe I’m just not a good educator.” But what if the problem isn’t that you’re failing? What if you’re simply exhausted? Exhaustion Changes Everything Exhaustion doesn’t just affect your body. It affects how you think, respond, lead, communicate, and show up. It can make you: less patient emotionally reactive disconnected from the work you once loved overwhelmed by small tasks forgetful irritable numb anxious constantly overstimulated And in a field like early childhood education — where your work requires emotional presence all day long — that exhaustion builds quietly. Because unlike many professions, educators are expected to continuously pour into others regardless of what they’re carrying personally. You’re expected to: regulate emotions support families manage behaviours document learning maintain ratios create enriching environments communicate professionally stay positive be nurturing and somehow still smile through it all Every single day. That’s not small work. That’s emotional labour. The Guilt Many Educators Carry One of the hardest parts about burnout in ECE is the guilt attached to it. Educators feel guilty for: needing breaks feeling frustrated wanting time off struggling mentally considering career changes setting boundaries not “doing enough” There’s this invisible pressure in the field that says: “If you really love children, you should always have the capacity to give more.” But love does not cancel out exhaustion. Passion does not replace rest. And caring deeply about children does not mean sacrificing yourself endlessly in the process. Burnout Doesn’t Always Look Dramatic Sometimes burnout looks like crying in your car. Sometimes it looks like emotional numbness. Sometimes it looks like dreading Monday morning. Sometimes it looks like being physically present but mentally checked out. Sometimes it looks like snapping over small things and then feeling ashamed afterward. Sometimes it looks like wondering why the work that once fulfilled you now only drains you. Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s often the result of prolonged stress without enough support, recovery, recognition, or balance. You Deserve Support Too Early childhood educators spend so much time caring for everyone else that many forget they are deserving of care too. You deserve: healthy workplace environments leadership that values you manageable expectations mental health support boundaries rest appreciation beyond “thank you” professional development that actually pours back into you opportunities to grow without burning out Most importantly? You deserve to be human. Not a superhero. Not a machine. Not someone expected to endlessly give without replenishment. Human. A Reminder for the Educator Reading This If you’ve been feeling disconnected lately… If your patience feels thinner… If your spark feels dimmer… If you’ve been questioning yourself… This is your reminder: You are not a bad educator. You are an educator carrying an enormous amount emotionally, mentally, and physically. And maybe what you need right now isn’t more guilt. Maybe you need support. Maybe you need rest. Maybe you need community. Maybe you need to hear that you matter too. Because you do. And the work you do matters deeply — but your wellbeing matters too.
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 !