Welcome😊
As the Winter Olympics kick off this Friday, February 6, I found myself reflecting on how much leading a childcare center mirrors being part of an Olympic team.
At first glance, Olympians seem like individual competitors, one skater, one skier, one athlete chasing a medal. But behind every performance is an entire team: coaches, trainers, support staff, and teammates working together toward a shared goal. Success doesn’t happen alone.
Gif by BrzzyWeather on Giphy
Leading an early childhood program is no different.
Each teacher brings their own strengths, passions, and skills into the classroom, but it’s the teamwork behind the scenes that determines whether a program truly thrives. Directors, assistant directors, teachers, support staff, we all rely on one another to create a strong, consistent, and nurturing environment for children and families.
What Teamwork Really Means👇🏼
Teamwork is more than working in the same building or sharing a schedule. True teamwork means intentionally supporting one another, communicating openly, and taking shared responsibility for the success of the program, especially when things get hard.
In our early childhood setting, teamwork looks like:
Stepping🏃🏼in to support a coworker during a challenging moment
Sharing ideas, resources, and strategies across classrooms🍏
Communicating with respect🗣️, even when conversations are difficult
Holding one another accountable while offering grace and understanding💗
Remembering💭 that every role contributes to the success of the children
This brings to mind one of my favorite quotes that I have hanging in my office:
Teamwork doesn’t mean everyone does things the same way. It means everyone is moving in the same direction, aligned by shared values, trust, and purpose.
When teamwork is practiced intentionally, staff feel supported, challenges are solved collaboratively, and children experience consistent, nurturing care. Just like an Olympic team, it’s the combined effort of every member that creates success.
Why Teamwork Matters in Early Childhood Programs:
Teamwork isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s essential to quality care and long-term success.
Children benefit from consistency and collaboration across classrooms, routines, and expectations
Teachers feel supported, valued, and less isolated, especially during challenging days
Challenges are solved faster and more thoughtfully when ideas and perspectives are shared
Staff retention improves when educators feel connected to a purpose and a team that has their back
Strong teamwork creates stability, and stability is what allows both children and educators to thrive.
What Strong Teams Have in Common
Just like an Olympic team, successful early childhood programs are built on intentional leadership and shared effort.
Clear communication🗣️: Expectations are understood, feedback is open, and information flows consistently
Trust and respect🫸🏼🫷🏼: Team members feel safe asking questions, sharing concerns, and offering ideas
Shared goals🥅: Everyone understands the “why” behind the work and how their role contributes
Celebrating wins together🎉: Big milestones and small victories are recognized and appreciated
✍🏼Leadership in Action: As leaders, our role isn’t to carry the weight alone; it’s to coach, guide, and bring out the best in every member of our team. This might look like:
Checking in 🤳🏼regularly with staff, not just when there’s a problem
Encouraging collaboration and peer supportc👏🏼
Recognizing effort, growth🪴, and progress, not just outcomes
Creating space for teachers to feel heard👂🏼 and valued
When leaders invest in teamwork, they build a culture where educators want to stay, grow, and succeed together.
As we move through February, take a moment to reflect on your team and your leadership:
⁉️How are you intentionally fostering teamwork in your Early childhood program?
🔎Where could collaboration be strengthened or supported?
⁉️How are you celebrating your team’s efforts, both big and small?
By investing in your team, modeling collaboration, and celebrating successes, you create a program where educators feel valued, children thrive, and everyone moves forward together, just like an Olympic team.
Till Next Time,
Jen Sprafka
Navigator of Leadership Development & Program Elevation
P.S. Next week, we’ll explore Acts of Kindness and Building a Caring Culture; simple, intentional gestures that can transform your center, strengthen your team, and create a nurturing environment where both educators and children thrive.
P.P.S. Here is our interactive Center Olympics Activities calendar that is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and fun for both teachers and children. Download for free to get started!
