From Splash Pads to Circle Time: Resetting for the New School Year

Welcome😊🖍️

The end of summer is not about packing up sprinklers and storing sunscreen; it's a shift in mindset. We are trading the freedom of splash pads for the focus of circle time, and that transition can be challenging. For teachers, children, and families, this season of change may feel overwhelming. However, with the right approach, you can turn the back-to-school rush into a purposeful fresh start.

Resetting the Mindset🧠– Helping Your Team Shift Gears

The first step in successfully transitioning from summer to the school year is not to change the curriculum, but rather to reset the mindset of your team. Educators are shifting from the relaxed and playful atmosphere of summer camp to a season that requires more structure, clear expectations, and emotional effort. It is crucial to guide this transition with intention and compassion.

🤼Hold a “Team Reset” Huddle

How:

• Schedule a short, focused meeting before the official start of the school year.

• Open with a reflection: “What worked well this summer🌞?” and “What are we letting go of as we move into fall🍂?”

• Use the second half of the meeting to set shared intentions for the school year ahead. Try prompts like⬇️

  • “What do we want our classroom culture to feel like?”

  • “How will we support each other through challenges?”

Why: This creates closure for summer and collective ownership of what comes next. It empowers teachers to feel like active participants in the transition, not passive recipients of top-down directives.

‼️Re-establish Roles, Expectations, and Norms

How:

• Review roles and classroom responsibilities clearly: Who oversees what?

• Revisit your communication expectations: When do staff meetings happen? How do we manage classroom issues?

• Use visuals or quick-reference guides if needed; especially for floating staff or part-timers.

Why: Summer often brings loose boundaries. Fall requires clarity, consistency, and professional trust. By resetting expectations early, you reduce friction, prevent burnout, and create a more united team.

🏫Involve Teachers in the Classroom Setup

How:

• Invite teachers to help design or reorganize their space for the school year.

• Ask: “What can we change to better support routines?” or “What materials do we need to reinforce expectations?”

• Give them time to personalize spaces with intention (and joy).

Why: Classroom setup goes beyond mere decoration; it represents ownership. When teachers actively participate in designing their environment, they take greater pride in it and feel more committed to maintaining it throughout the year. This process also facilitates their mental transition from a fluid, camp-like atmosphere to a more structured and purpose-driven environment.

This transition is not about flipping a switch; it’s about adjusting the light. As you guide your team, families, and children into the school year, remember that strong starts begin with slow, intentional steps. Whether you’re navigating nerves, setting expectations, or just trying to remember where you put the circle time rug, know that you are not alone and that you are doing meaningful work. Here's to a calm, connected, and confident start to the year!

Till Next time,

Jen Sprafka📋

P.S. What’s one way you’re helping your center shift from summer to the school year? Hit reply—I’d love to hear!

P.P.S. Share this newsletter with a fellow leader who is gearing up, too!