When Early Childhood Directors Come Together, Beautiful Things Happen
October 2, 2025
I’m still riding the high from October 2nd.
If you’ve ever walked into a professional development event feeling tired, overwhelmed, and honestly a little skeptical—you know that feeling. That “here we go again” energy where you’re hoping for something useful but expecting another day of theories that don’t translate to your real world.
October 2nd wasn’t that day.
From the moment directors walked in, something felt different. Maybe it was the authenticity in the room. Maybe it was the relief of being around people who truly get it—the financial pressures, the staffing struggles, the weight of leading a center in today’s climate.
Or maybe it was simply this: we weren’t there to be talked at. We were there to learn together, share together, and leave with tools we could actually use.
“Best Workshop I Have Ever Taken”
I’ll be honest—when we started planning Leadership Day, we hoped directors would find it helpful. We didn’t expect the overwhelming response we received.
“Best workshop I have ever taken. Real world, talking with others. Was amazing!”
“This was the best PD I’ve been to in years! Thank you!”
Reading feedback like this made us realize we’d tapped into something directors have been craving: real talk from real people about real challenges.
No fluff. No generic advice that doesn’t account for your unique situation. Just practical strategies from people who’ve been in your shoes—combined with the chance to collaborate with directors facing the exact same issues you’re wrestling with.
One director wrote: “I am thrilled to have accidentally been introduced to the Director’s Club. Such great information, suggestions, ideas shared. It is relevant and authentic! Thank you both for a workshop I actually would have stayed longer for!”
Stayed. Longer.
When was the last time you felt that way about professional development?
The Conversations That Changed Everything
Here’s what made October 2nd special: the conversations happening at every table.
During the Financial GPS workshop, one director quietly admitted, “We do not have a budget at any of our centers so they are just spending. This was great information.” Around the room, heads nodded. Others shared their own budget struggles—and suddenly, directors weren’t just learning from us; they were problem-solving together.
Someone else shared: “I need to meet with the owner and discuss the budget.” That’s the moment we knew it was working. Not just learning. Planning. Acting.
The collaboration time wasn’t filler between sessions—it became the heart of the day. Directors exchanged ideas about bank grants, talked through their budget monitoring systems, and shared resources they’d discovered.
“Collaborating throughout was extremely helpful,” one director told us. Another said simply: “Loved the collaboration and helpful ideas!”
Taking Back the Day (And Our Sanity)
When we moved into time management, the exhaustion in the room was palpable. Directors are running on empty, trying to be everything to everyone, with zero time for themselves.
The Success MAP framework gave them permission to stop. To breathe. To plan strategically instead of reactively.
“Take Back Your Day is going to help me to do what I need to do and without interruptions,” one director shared.
We talked about boundaries. About protecting “no talk” time. About keeping an hour a day for yourself. About the Time Matrix and how to think about daily, weekly, monthly, and annual planning in a way that actually works.
“Good reminder of boundaries, thinking about self-value, trusting self,” another director reflected.
These aren’t just time management tips. This is survival. This is how we stay in this work we love without burning out completely.
Transforming Staff Meetings From Obligation to Opportunity
By the third workshop, directors were energized. The Ultimate Staff Meeting session sparked so much conversation we almost ran out of time.
“Think about the end before you start planning your staff meeting” became an instant mantra. Directors started reimagining their meetings—not as informational downloads, but as strategic opportunities to build culture, develop leaders, and create engagement.
“This is really going to help me develop staff meetings,” one director said, already mentally planning their next gathering.
The 12-month planning framework clicked. The idea of collaborating with rising leaders resonated deeply. Directors left with checklists, with the book “Changeable” on their reading lists, and with fresh ideas about culture rating and staff surveys.
“Great ideas to add to staff meetings to make more interactive,” someone noted—and we could see wheels turning all around the room.
The Tools That Matter
Throughout the day, what directors kept coming back to was this: they could actually use this.
The salary calculators. The benefit value guides. The handouts and worksheets. The Success MAP calendar. The budget monitoring tools. The staff meeting checklists.
“The checklists and calculator are invaluable!”
“I appreciated the insurance connection!”
“The handouts were very helpful.”
These aren’t materials that will sit in a folder untouched. Directors told us they were already planning how to implement what they learned—some before they even left the building.
The Magic of Being Understood
You know what made this day truly special? Being in a room where everyone understood.
Nobody had to explain why enrollment matters. Why losing a great teacher feels devastating. Why budget season keeps you up at night. Why you sometimes feel like you’re failing even when you’re giving everything you have.
“Thank you so much for a great workshop. I loved hearing personal experiences. So down to earth and real. Helpful advice, feedback, and resources.”
Down to earth and real. That’s what directors needed. Not polished perfection, but authentic sharing from people who’ve lived it.
“In all the workshops it was so helpful to discuss and collaborate with other directors about various topics.”
The collaboration wasn’t just nice—it was necessary. It reminded every person in that room: you’re not alone. Others are figuring this out too. And together, we’re stronger.
What Happens Next
Here’s the thing about October 2nd—it wasn’t just a one-day workshop. It was the beginning of something.
Directors left asking about future topics: curriculum planning, performance reviews, career lattices, handling difficult staff, hiring strategies, AI in education, fundraising. The list grew as the day went on because suddenly, directors felt hopeful. If we could tackle budgets, time management, and staff meetings in one day, what else could we figure out together?
“I think you did a great job. I will be back!!”
“Very reasonably priced. High quality learning. Great experienced teachers.”
Every single person—100% of attendees—said they would recommend Leadership Day. But more than that, they left different than they arrived.
Equipped. Empowered. Connected. Ready.
A Thank You
To every director who showed up on October 2nd: thank you.
Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your challenges. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your solutions. Thank you for your commitment to this incredibly important work.
One of you wrote: “Thoroughly enjoyed the conference and especially the collaboration. Would love more of this!”
We hear you. And we can’t wait to gather again.
Until next time, keep leading with heart, wisdom, and the knowledge that you’re part of something bigger—a community of directors who believe that our children, our teachers, and our centers deserve our very best.
With gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead,
The Director’s Club Team
P.S. “This conference was excellent! So many helpful conversations, strategies to try, and tools to implement! Thank you for a fabulous day!” — This is why we do what we do. See you at the next one.
