The Leader You Already Are: Activating Your Leadership as an Early Childhood Educator

Anisha Grossett • February 28, 2025

It was a typical morning in the classroom. The hum of busy little hands and curious minds filled the air. Maya, an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), glanced around, her heart swelling with pride. It was moments like these—when a child’s eyes lit up with understanding or when a shy toddler found the courage to join a group—that reminded her why she chose this path. Yet, deep down, Maya often wondered: Am I really a leader?

Perhaps you, too, have asked yourself the same question. The word "leader" may bring to mind images of CEOs in boardrooms or heads of organizations rallying teams. But let’s shift that perspective. Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about influence, impact, and the way you inspire those around you—adults and children alike. As an ECE, you are already a leader. The question is, how can you activate your leadership fully?

Let’s take a journey together, exploring how to unlock the leader within. Because here’s the truth: Every ECE is a leader in early childhood education.


Step 1: Recognize the Leadership You Show Every Day


Think about your role. You guide children in their formative years, helping them develop social skills, emotional resilience, and a lifelong love for learning. You mentor families, offering advice and support when they’re navigating the challenges of parenting. You collaborate with colleagues, sharing insights and ideas to create enriching environments.


Leadership is woven into the very fabric of your work.


Challenge: Take a moment to reflect on a recent interaction where you inspired or guided someone—a child, a family member, or a colleague. Write it down. That’s leadership in action.


Step 2: Define What Leadership Means to You


Leadership looks different for everyone. For some, it’s about being a visionary—creating innovative learning opportunities for children. For others, it’s about being a nurturer—building relationships and fostering community. Understanding your unique leadership style is key to unlocking your potential.


Maya, for example, discovered her leadership strength was in advocacy. She took pride in creating inclusive environments for children with diverse needs and educating others on the importance of equity in early childhood education.


Tip: Think about the moments when you feel most energized in your work. What’s happening? Who are you impacting? These moments often reveal your leadership strengths.


Step 3: Cultivate Confidence and Voice


Many ECEs underestimate their ability to lead because they feel their voice isn’t "loud" enough. But leadership isn’t about volume; it’s about authenticity and intention. You have the power to advocate for children, influence policies, and drive positive change in your center or community.


Maya found her confidence through small but intentional steps. She started sharing her ideas during team meetings and attended professional development workshops to expand her knowledge. Over time, she became a go-to resource for her peers.


Challenge: At your next team meeting, share an idea or observation. Whether big or small, your voice matters.


Step 4: Empower Others


Great leaders lift others up. As an ECE, you have the opportunity to empower not only children but also your colleagues and families. Leadership isn’t about doing it all alone—it’s about fostering collaboration and creating an environment where everyone feels valued.

Maya started a "Gratitude Wall" in her center, where staff could leave notes recognizing each other’s contributions. It became a simple yet powerful way to build morale and a sense of community.


Tip: Look for ways to support and celebrate others in your workplace. Encouraging their leadership will amplify yours.


Step 5: Lead by Example


Children learn through what they see. Your actions, words, and demeanour set the tone for the classroom. When you model resilience, empathy, and curiosity, you’re teaching children how to be leaders in their own right.

Maya made a point to model emotional regulation for her class. When things got chaotic, she’d take a deep breath and say, "I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a calming breath. Would you like to join me?" Over time, she noticed her students adopting this strategy themselves.


Challenge: Identify one behaviour you want to model for your students or team. Commit to practicing it consistently this week.


Your Leadership Legacy


As Maya’s story shows, leadership isn’t about doing something extraordinary all the time. It’s about showing up with purpose and intention every day. The way you comfort a child, share an idea with a colleague, or advocate for a family—these are the moments that shape your leadership legacy.


So, to all the Maya’s out there: You are a leader. The children in your care, the families you support, and the colleagues you inspire already see it. It’s time for you to see it too.


Challenge: Take one step today to activate your leadership. Whether it’s speaking up, mentoring a colleague, or setting a new goal for yourself, remember that leadership is a journey—and you’re already on the path.


You don’t need a title to lead. You just need to show up, be present, and let the leader in you shine.



More Than a Workshop: How Coaching, Consulting, and Training Transform ECE Communities

By Anisha Grossett • February 27, 2026
At The Early Childhood Coach (ECC), we believe that real change in early learning doesn’t come from one-off sessions or quick fixes. It comes from relationships, reflection, and long-term investment in people and communities. Over the years, we’ve had the honour of working alongside incredible organizations, regions, and educators across Canada — including partners like Childventures, Region of Peel, and communities across Newfoundland and PEI — and what we’ve seen time and time again is this: When educators are supported in the right way, entire communities shift. But that support doesn’t look the same in every space. That’s why at ECC, our work is grounded in three distinct but deeply connected services: Training Consulting Coaching Each one plays a different role. Each one serves a different purpose. And together, they create sustainable, meaningful change.

Reigniting Your Passion for Teaching

By Anisha Grossett • January 30, 2026
Finding Joy and Purpose in the Middle of the Year Somewhere between the excitement of September and the promise of summer, there’s February — the quiet stretch in the middle. The new-year energy has faded, the routines feel repetitive, and many educators find themselves just trying to make it to the next long weekend. If you’ve been feeling that way lately, you’re not alone. This season can be one of the hardest in early childhood education — the weather’s cold, the classrooms are busy, and energy levels are low. But this moment also offers something powerful: an invitation to pause, reflect, and reignite your passion for why you started in this field in the first place.