Every emotion, reaction, and behavior tells a story—and it begins deep within the brain and body. In this insightful and grounding session, we’ll explore the fascinating connection between the brain, the nervous system, and emotional regulation in early childhood.

Children’s ability to self-regulate doesn’t develop overnight; it’s nurtured through caring relationships and co-regulation with responsive adults. In this session led by Richard Cohen, M.A., we’ll trace how thoughts and feelings travel through the body to become actions—and what that means for the moments we share with young children each day.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of:

• How the brain and nervous system work together to shape emotions and behavior.

• Why children’s “big feelings” are opportunities for connection, not correction.

• The difference between self-regulation and co-regulation—and the adult’s vital role in both.

• Practical, real-world strategies to help children (and yourself) move from dysregulation to calm.

This session will leave you with both the science and the heart of emotional regulation—equipping you with compassionate, neuroscience-informed tools to support young children’s social-emotional growth and your own well-being along the way.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Most child care directors are trained to nurture children—not to crunch numbers. Yet without financial clarity, even the strongest programs can falter. In this high-impact session, bestselling authors and child care business experts Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey will show you how to shift from “hoping the bills get paid” to leading with confidence.

You’ll uncover three common blind spots that quietly drain centers of revenue and stability:

• Reading financial reports without fear—and knowing what really matters in a P&L.
• Forecasting with confidence, instead of reacting to every crisis.
• Using classroom-level data to make smart staffing and enrollment decisions.

Through quick-win demos and real-world examples, you’ll see how a single staffing shift can boost margins by 5–10%—and how the right tools can transform directors into financial leaders.

This session isn’t about becoming an accountant. It’s about gaining the clarity every director needs to safeguard their program, their team, and their future.

Walk away with practical tools you can use immediately, plus an exclusive invitation to dive deeper in our Masterclass on Child Care Finance for Directors—where we’ll equip you with the full system to thrive.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Observation is at the heart of effective early childhood practice, yet it is also an art—one that calls you to slow down, notice, and truly see the child before you. In this session, you’ll be invited to step into the role of a keen observer, sharpening your awareness and deepening your understanding of what unfolds in your learning environment each day.

We’ll begin by exploring the foundations of observation through the lens of Montessori pedagogy and philosophy, grounding you in the why behind this essential practice. You’ll learn how observation is defined in a Montessori context and consider its unique role as both a scientific and spiritual act—insights that can strengthen your practice in any early childhood setting. From there, we’ll move into the how—practical strategies for watching with intention, waiting with patience, and wondering with curiosity.

You’ll discover the many types of observation available and reflect on what can be observed: children’s choices, behaviors, interactions, developmental milestones, and the prepared environment itself. As you uncover these layers, you’ll begin to see how observation can transform not only your teaching but also your relationships with the children in your care.

Finally, we’ll explore what comes next—how to use your observations to guide practice, inform decision-making, and better meet the needs of each individual child. Along the way, you’ll be reminded of the profound benefits that emerge when you watch closely, wait thoughtfully, and wonder deeply.

Whether you’re new to early childhood education or a seasoned professional, this session will inspire you to refine your most valuable tool: the art of observation. You’ll walk away ready to see your children with fresh eyes and renewed understanding.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Explore the foundations of observation within Montessori pedagogy and its relevance to all early childhood settings.

2. Develop practical strategies to observe with intention, patience, and curiosity.

3. Identify key aspects of children’s development, behavior, and environment that can be observed, along with different methods of observation.

4. Apply observations to guide practice, support teaching and learning, and strengthen relationships with children.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, theChild Care Management Software

Billing and tuition policies are the backbone of every successful child care program. In this engaging webinar, Monique Reynolds, VP of ECE Business Support Services, will share practical strategies for creating or strengthening systems that ensure payments are received on time, reduce stress, and keep operations running smoothly. You’ll learn how to set clear expectations from the start—or refine the approach you already have—while confidently navigating tough conversations and establishing policies that protect revenue and foster positive family relationships.

By the end of this interactive session, you’ll have actionable tools to strengthen your financial foundation, streamline processes, and gain peace of mind. Whether your goal is to eliminate late payments, update your current practices, or build trust with families, the strategies shared in this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make your billing policies work for you.

Learning Objectives After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Develop tuition policies that set clear expectations and minimize payment issues.
• Apply strategies to collect fees on time with less stress and conflict.
• Handle financial conversations with parents confidently and professionally.
• Establish systems that support long-term financial stability and smooth operations.
• Strengthen family relationships through transparent, consistent practices.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

With big reactors, “gentle parenting” often doesn’t work. These children tend to reject calming tools. As one six-year-old put it, “I remember the tools before; I remember them after; I just don’t remember them in the middle.” They often find it intrusive and overwhelming when parents validate and talk about their emotions. This can lead to outbursts like, “Stop talking to me! Stop telling me that! I’m not sad!” When their brains and bodies are flooded with big emotions, the more parents, teachers, and caregivers try to convince them to cooperate, the less likely they are to do so.

This workshop—based on Claire Lerner, LICSW’s new book, Big Reactors: Practical Strategies for Parenting Highly Sensitive Children—will present key insights and tools to help anyone supporting a young child’s development. You’ll learn how to thread the needle of being connected, sensitive, and responsive while also setting the firm limits big reactors need to develop self-regulation and thrive.

If you care for a child(en) who goes from 0 to 100 in a nanosecond when things don’t go their way; who seems laser-focused on being in power and control; who can’t tolerate correction and blames others for everything; and with whom few, if any, conventional cooperation strategies work—this webinar is for you.

Drawing from decades of work with these complex and often confusing children, Claire will share detailed case examples and reveal the “detective work” process she uses to help parents, teachers, and caregivers uncover the root causes of challenging behaviors and develop sensitive, effective, real-life strategies that work—not just in theory.

Participants will learn to:

1. Identify the key traits of highly sensitive children (big reactors)

2. Understand the root causes behind many of their challenging behaviors

3. Apply effective strategies to help big reactors manage big emotions

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Enrollment isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation of your program’s culture, finances, and family relationships. In this session, we’ll explore how the right policies and procedures can streamline the enrollment process while building trust with staff and families.

You’ll learn how to design staff and parent handbooks that set clear expectations, foster engagement, and reflect your values. Then, we’ll dive into practical strategies for enrollment: collecting the right information up front, structuring fees and deposits, and automating tasks like emails and forms to create a smooth experience for families.

Finally, we’ll look at how predictive enrollment, reviews, and referrals can keep your pipeline full—helping you plan capacity with confidence and sustain your program’s growth.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Craft policies that shape a positive culture and strengthen staff and family trust.
• Build handbooks that support compliance while boosting engagement and retention.
• Implement streamlined enrollment systems that reduce friction and prevent churn.
• Use predictive enrollment and referrals to sustain growth and meet financial goals.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Early childhood leadership shouldn’t require self-sacrifice. In this energizing and interactive session, we’ll move beyond surface-level self-care tips and dive into what it truly takes to lead thriving teaching teams. Using the H.E.A.R.T.™ framework (Healing Environments for Aligned and Regulated Teams) and the ECE Wellbeing Survey, participants will explore the science of stress, embodied leadership practices, and community care strategies that promote long-term well-being—for both staff and students.

Join the Founder of Rooted: A Wellness Collective, Monica Rollins for hands-on activities, developing small-group connections, and practical shifts you can implement right away.

What you’ll learn:

• Examine the limitations of traditional self-care and discover strategies for cultivating aligned, collective care within early childhood teams.

• Practice embodied leadership techniques, including recognizing nervous system cues, resetting stress responses, and leveraging co-regulation to support staff and students.

• Take aligned action by creating one to two goals that enhance team well-being and foster sustainable leadership practices.

  
  

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Compliance Without the Chaos – Inspections don’t haveto be stressful. Learn how to package and practice what you’re already doing into a system that manages risk, closes gaps, and keeps your program inspection-ready every day.

Take control by communicating your proactive processes andprocedures to stay ahead of licensing requirements! This session will show you how to maintain accurate records, document your audits, and demonstrate how you minimize risk.

You’ll gain confidence knowing your program is always inspection-ready and fully aligned with licensing standards ensuring a safe, high-quality environment where both children and teachers thrive.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Do More with What You Have: Turn what you’re already doing into a compliance story that doubles as a risk management best practice.
2. Inspector Myth-Busting: Get the inside scoop on what inspectors really think (spoiler: it’s not all “gotcha” moments).
3. Tame High-Risk Moments: Learn how to manage your riskiest compliance situations with simple, repeatable systems that keep your program—and your sanity—intact.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software