Early Childhood Investigations

Hidden compliance asks for trust. Visible compliance earns it. by Lynn Wenger and Ronnae Williams

RESOURCES * Watch the full webinar here [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar/courses/how-to-run-a-best-in-class-child-care-program-series-june?utm_campaign=42376100-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20Hidden%20compliance%20asks%20for%20trust.%20Visible%20compliance%20earns%20it.&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/?utm_campaign=42376100-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20Hidden%20compliance%20asks%20for%20trust.%20Visible%20compliance%20earns%20it.&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software [https://www.tryplayground.com/?utm_source=eci&utm_medium=podcast ad&utm_campaign=admin-2026-q2-compliance&utm_content=spotify] Trust Grows Where Proof Shows™ just as it is with industries from aviation to healthcare, early education compliance isn’t optional. The reality is that safety and trust aren’t just feelings. In regulated industries like ours, they’re facts you can see, measure, and demonstrate. Your stakeholders need more than reassurance. They need proof they can believe in. So how do we put this concept into visible practice?  The Compliance Alliance and The State Lady® come together to give you practical examples and strategies to make the invisible visible from how you market your compliance to ways to showcase your practices to preventative measures to avoid a citation, or worse, an insurance claim or lawsuit. Because compliance isn’t defined when everything goes right—it’s defined when something goes wrong. That’s when real practices show up. Together we will bridge the gap between compliance systems and real-world application. We will share how to turn your website messaging, parent communication, licensing visits, audits, and documentation into visible, trust-building proof. When your practices show every day, your stakeholder confidence grows—and families, staff, and regulators don’t just hear you’re safe… they see it. With a combined lens of compliance strategy and licensing experience, this session will highlight the difference between programs that say they’re compliant and those that can demonstrate it at any moment.  Key Takeaways: * How licensing evaluates compliance during actual inspections * Mock Inspection non-negotiables * Strategies to reduce citations & legal liability * Minimum auditing practices to surface risks before they become costly * Strategies to increase stakeholder trust (make supervision, safety, and daily routines clearly visible) "Stakeholders don’t just need to be told we’re safe—they need to believe it for themselves."

Coaching vs. Mentoring: What’s the difference? by Dr. Tamar Andrews

RESOURCES * Watch the full webinar here [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar/courses/how-to-run-a-best-in-class-child-care-program-series-june?utm_campaign=42376091-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20Coaching%20vs.%20Mentoring&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/?utm_campaign=42376091-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20Coaching%20vs.%20Mentoring&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software [https://www.tryplayground.com/?utm_source=eci&utm_medium=podcast ad&utm_campaign=admin-2026-q2-coaching-vs-mentoring&utm_content=spotify] As early childhood leaders, we're constantly supporting the growth of the educators around us — but are we using the right tools for the job? Coaching and mentoring are both powerful, yet they serve very different purposes. Knowing when to coach and when to mentor can transform how you lead your team and build a culture of continuous growth in your program. In this session, we'll cut through the confusion and give directors, coordinators, and educational leaders a clear, practical framework for understanding both approaches — and confidently knowing which one to reach for. Participants will: * Define coaching and mentoring in straightforward terms and explain the distinct purpose of each * Explore how the two approaches differ in structure, frequency, and who drives the conversation * Apply real ECE examples of coaching in action — including support around transitions, circle time, classroom routines, and behavior management — and identify tools that make coaching effective * Apply real ECE examples of mentoring in action — including helping a new teacher build confidence, deepen reflective practice, or begin thinking about leadership goals — and explore the tools that support meaningful mentoring relationships * Clarify common misconceptions: coaching and mentoring are not punishment, criticism, formal supervision, or therapy * Walk away with a practical "when to use which" decision guide designed specifically for directors and educational leaders

More Than We Imagined: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Thrive Through Everyday Challenges by Ellen M. Drolette

RESOURCES * Watch the full webinar here [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar/more-than-we-imagined-using-appreciative-inquiry-to-thrive-through-everyday-challenges-by-ellen-m-drolette?utm_campaign=41150829-2026%2F06%2F09%20%7C%20More%20Than%20We%20Imagined%3A%20Using%20Appreciative%20Inquiry%20to%20Thrive%20Through%20Everyday%20Challenges%20by%20Ellen%20M.%20Drolette&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/?utm_campaign=41150829-2026%2F06%2F09%20%7C%20More%20Than%20We%20Imagined%3A%20Using%20Appreciative%20Inquiry%20to%20Thrive%20Through%20Everyday%20Challenges%20by%20Ellen%20M.%20Drolette&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software [https://www.tryplayground.com/?utm_source=eci&utm_medium=podcast ad&utm_campaign=imagined&utm_content=spotify] Early childhood professionals regularly navigate unpredictable situations: big feelings, complex behaviors, competing demands, and the constant balancing of children’s needs, family expectations, and program requirements. Whether you’re an administrator, a family child care provider, or a center-based educator, these everyday challenges can stretch your capacity and shape the climate of your work. This webinar explores how Appreciative Inquiry offers practical tools for responding to challenging moments with clarity, presence, and intention. Drawing from the book More Than We Imagined by Ellen M. Drolette, we’ll examine how what we notice, amplify, and choose to focus on can shift the trajectory of an interaction and open up new possibilities. Participants will learn strengths-based strategies that support well-being, build trust, and promote resilience across early childhood settings. You’ll walk away with actionable approaches rooted in play, connection, and reflection—approaches that help reduce stress, strengthen professional relationships, and create conditions where both adults and children can thrive. Learning Objectives 1. Explain how Appreciative Inquiry principles support well-being and resilience: Describe how the questions we ask—and the meaning we assign to situations—influence our responses during challenging moments. 2. Identify how small shifts in adult response impact emotional safety and learning: Recognize how tone, presence, and interpretation shape outcomes in family child care settings, centers, and administrative roles. 3. Apply strengths-based strategies that turn difficult interactions into opportunities for growth: Use curiosity, reframing, and a focus on what’s working to guide decision-making and problem-solving.

Leading Across Generations: Strategies for a Stronger, More Collaborative Team by Dr. Keena Mosley

RESOURCES * Watch the full webinar here [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar/leading-across-generations-stronger-collaborative-team-dr-keena-mosley?utm_campaign=28668302-2026%2F06%2F04%20%7C%20Leading%20Across%20Generations%3A%20Strategies%20for%20a%20stronger%2C%20more%20collaborative%C2%A0team&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/?utm_campaign=28668302-2026%2F06%2F04%20%7C%20Leading%20Across%20Generations%3A%20Strategies%20for%20a%20stronger%2C%20more%20collaborative%C2%A0team&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software [https://www.tryplayground.com/?utm_source=eci&utm_medium=podcast ad&utm_campaign=generation&utm_content=spotify] In today’s work environment, leading a team requires a nuanced understanding of each member’s values, expectations, and work styles. With a focus on collaboration, this workshop is designed to equip leaders with the tools and insights needed to effectively engage, motivate, and guide multiple generations. Join Dr. Keena R. Mosley [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/presenters/keena-mosley], former award-winning collegiate professor, author, and Founder of Momentum Leadership Group. With her people-centered strategic approach, participants will explore practical skills that foster a productive, responsive, and inclusive workplace. Through interactive activities, they will bring current research to life and identify clear next steps for applying the content in their real-world settings. Learning Objectives By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: 1. Analyze research on generational characteristics: Explore insights from academic institutions and research organizations and discuss their practical application. 2. Adapt communication skills to optimize team performance: Examine the communication needs of each generation and compare them to current practices and challenges. 3. Identify strategies to foster a collaborative team culture: Review and practice team-building strategies and activities that help create a motivating environment for all generations. This session will empower you to lead with confidence and build a cohesive, high-performing team—no matter the generational mix.

AI Search Is Here - The Gold Rush Opportunity for Child Care Centers in 2026 by Bruce Spurr

RESOURCES * Watch the full webinar here [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar/courses/how-to-run-a-best-in-class-child-care-program-series-june?utm_campaign=42376077-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20AI%20Search%20Is%20Here&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Join our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every week [https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/?utm_campaign=42376077-2026%20%7C%20Admin%20Series%20Q2%20%7C%20AI%20Search%20Is%20Here&utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=spotify] * Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software [https://www.tryplayground.com/?utm_source=eci&utm_medium=podcast ad&utm_campaign=admin-2026-q2-ai-search&utm_content=spotify] Only 3 centers will own the leaders in your market—How to make sure you’re one of them  Search is being completely rebuilt — and most childcare centers don’t realize it yet. Parents are no longer just clicking ads or scrolling your social posts. They’re: * Asking AI tools like ChatGPT where to find childcare nearby * Reading AI-generated summaries at the top of Google * Choosing centers directly from Google Maps At the same time, buying attention through ads is getting harder, more expensive, and less predictable for local businesses—the cost is out of reach of most child care centers. (Google finally admitted to us that new ad accounts need $100/day media spend to train their AI buying algorithm! That’s absolutely ridiculous for the ECE industry!) In this live training, Bruce Spurr, CEO of Grow Your Center, will break down how AI-powered search is transforming the way parents discover childcare — and why this shift is creating the biggest local visibility opportunity we’ve seen since 2008. History is being made. We’re not just going to talk about AI search, but give you CONTEXT in how the new world of “SEO” fits into your complete marketing stack in 2026…how owners just like you are filling their open classroom spots! In this session, you’ll learn:  * Why Google Maps has quietly become the most important “search engine” for parents * How AI summaries are deciding which childcare centers get mentioned (and which get ignored) * Your website is not only still relevant, but a critical conversion tool in your marketing stack * Why attention is getting more expensive to buy — including where and how to spend your ad dollars to “multiple” it’s effect  * What “AI-powered search visibility” actually means for local businesses * Why ranking for a city is not the right play, and how zip codes and neighborhoods now drive enrollment demand * What it takes to show up when parents search inside AI tools like ChatGPT * How early movers are getting huge gains while others disappear (the gold rush is real!) This training is especially valuable if:  * You want more predictable enrollment * You’re tired of wasting $ on ads * You operate in a competitive market * You have an enrollment gap you need to fill We’ll also have a Q&A and select 3-5 audience volunteers to review your rankings!