It Starts with Our Leadership: Making First Impressions That Stick

Welcome😊🖍️

As early childhood leaders, you know that the first day of school, whether it’s for a 3-month-old or a confident 3-year-old preschooler, is far more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a defining moment that shapes how families see your program, how children begin their learning journey, and how trust is built from day one.

First impressions don’t just happen; they are intentionally created through every detail: the warm greeting at the door, the tone of a teacher’s voice, the comfort of a well-prepared classroom. Your leadership sets the vision, but it’s the collective presence of your entire team, teachers, aides, and support staff, that brings it to life. These first-day experiences become lasting memories, laying the emotional and relational foundation for family engagement, staff confidence, and long-term enrollment success.

How do we ensure that first impressions feel good in the moment and truly last? Let’s explore strategies to turn initial days into lasting trust.

This week, I want to share my strategies for creating powerful first impressions that will have families talking about how the first day went.

Every family that walks through your doors, whether it's an infant's first day away from home or a preschooler's first step into a new classroom, brings with them hope, anxiety, and expectations. To ensure that my first impression is not only positive but also powerful and lasting, I focus on three key pillars.

The 3 Pillars of a Powerful First Impression

🏫Pillar 1: Environment That Feels Safe and Inviting

❓Why it matters: Families assess your program’s quality the moment they walk in, often before a word is spoken. The sights, sounds, smells, and layout of your center communicate whether it’s a place their child will feel safe and cared for.

🤔How to implement:

• Keep entrances clean, cheerful, and child-focused

• Use soft lighting and calming music, especially in infant and toddler spaces

• Prepare classrooms before families arrive with engaging, age-appropriate activities

• Make transitions visually clear with signs or pictures for cubbies, schedules, and routines

💡Tip for Early Childhood Leaders: Walk your center at drop-off from a parent’s point of view. Would you feel confident leaving your child here?

📖Guidance for Teachers:

• Arrive early enough to set up your classroom and create a calm, inviting space before families enter.

• Limit last-minute cleaning or prep during arrival times—focus on being present.

• Create soft landing zones (reading nook, sensory table, puzzles) to help children ease in.

• Greet children with open body language and clear, simple directions: “You can hang your backpack right here!”

🔗Pillar 2: Meaningful Connection from the Start

❓Why it matters: Trust begins with relationships, and relationships begin with connection. The way teachers and staff interact with families and children sets an emotional tone for the entire school year.

🤔How to implement:

• Greet every child by name (even infants!) and make eye contact with parents

• Use warm body language and a calm tone☺️ to reassure anxious families

• Help children transition with choice-based engagement: “Would you like to read a book or build with blocks?”

• Model empathy with phrases like: “It’s okay to feel a little nervous—it’s a big day!”

💡Tip for Early Childhood Leaders: Train your team with simple, scripted greetings and supportive language to ensure consistency and confidence on Day One.

📖Guidance for Teachers:

• Learn and use children’s names from day one—this creates an instant sense of belonging.

• Make time⏲️ for one-on-one hellos with both the child and caregiver.

• Offer comfort objects, a high five, or choices to help ease separation.

• Acknowledge emotions without judgment: “It’s okay to feel a little sad. I’ll stay with you.”

📢Pillar 3: Clear and Caring Communication

❓Why it matters: Families want to feel informed and reassured, especially on the first day. Communication is your tool to ease fears, build transparency, and reinforce your professionalism.

🤔How to implement:

• Share daily updates through your parent app or a quick text/photo midday

• Provide a clear first-day plan📄 in advance so parents know what to expect

• Offer a short, positive recap at pickup with a personal story: “Ava loved the sensory bin—she stayed there for 20 minutes exploring the textures!”

• Follow up with a thank-you message or check-in after the first day

💡Tip for Early Childhood leaders: Give teachers a short checklist or communication card for each child to help them track highlights and notes to share with parents.

📖Guidance for Teachers:

• Greet parents with confidence and positivity, even if the child is upset.

• Choose one meaningful moment to share at pickup: something the child enjoyed, created, or achieved.

• If using a communication app📲, include a quick photo or short sentence update by midday.

• Keep messaging calm, professional, and parent-friendly. Reassure rather than overload.

The first day of school is a significant opportunity, one that each child and family experiences only once. By approaching it with warmth, intention, and clear communication, you set the tone for everything to come.

Whether you are comforting an infant, welcoming a toddler, or helping a preschooler adapt to a new routine, your team's presence and preparation make a big difference. When we focus on creating meaningful first impressions, we not only start the year off on the right foot but also build trust, facilitate smooth transitions, and strengthen our early childhood community for the long term.

Till Next Time,

Jen Sprafka📋

P.S. ⬇️⬇️