McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Maria Edgerton | December 28, 2015

This document may be printed, photocopied, and disseminated freely with attribution. All content is the property of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.

“You cannot make people learn. You can only provide the right conditions for learning to happen.”


– Vince Growmon


It makes sense to me that peer learning teams are also referred to as “communities of practice.” Individuals who frequently come together can develop a sense of “community.” As the number of individuals and organizations focusing on communities of practice as a way to improve performance continues to grow, let me share with you how communities of practice have made an impact in Delaware.


First, let me clarify what I mean by “communities of practice.” Communities of practice (CoP) offer an alternative to traditional professional development. These are groups who interact regularly and have corresponding concerns or mutual passions. They engage in joint activities and discussions, offer a variety of types of support, and exchange information. Communities of practice are a great way to network with others, share best practices, and strengthen professional skills. And, CoPs aren’t limited to colleagues outside your organization. They can be formed inside your organization, too.


“I had no idea how beneficial the ELLI meetings would be. I enjoyed listening and talking to other professionals about the modules and discussing what was going on within each of our programs. It was so nice to be with people who could relate and truly understand the same daily challenges I face. The interactions with other directors were priceless. These meetings impacted me so much that I asked if anyone else in the group wished to continue our monthly meetings. Thankfully… 100% of the class agreed to continue to meet. I am looking forward to continuing my relationships with my professional peers!”


– Heather Wilson, Director, Brandywine Valley Christian Preschool and Kindergarten


During the last 18 months, I have facilitated more than 20 communities of practice. Delaware was one of 20 states that benefitted from Race to the Top/Early Learning Challenge Grant funding. The state formed the Early Learning Leadership Initiative (ELLI), which uses communities of practice as a framework. In partnership with the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, ELLI provides Delaware professionals with access to Aim4Excellence, an online National Director Credential. Participants complete their Aim4Excellence coursework online and then submit it for scoring. Cohorts throughout the state meet monthly and face-to-face for nine months to enhance the learning experience and achieve the credential, which is a requirement to reach the highest quality rating in Delaware’s quality rating and improvement system.


In their evaluations of the program, many ELLI graduates say their favorite part of participating in the cohort was the monthly CoP gatherings. I have been privileged to witness professionals across the state share powerful professional experiences and meaningful personal stories. Many of the individuals in the 20 communities of practice have the same challenges. They brainstorm, strategize, and problem solve together. They share useful tools and resources. Their confidence grows, and they learn to stop second guessing their daily decisions. They celebrate together. They create connections with colleagues that will likely continue even after the group stops meeting.

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The results of McCormick Center research suggest that an informal low-intensity model, like a facilitated peer learning team, may be a cost-effective means for yielding moderate positive outcomes in the administrative practices in early care and education programs.

One of the most important facilitative strategies I have used to help enable successful CoPs is establishing “Common Courtesies” for the meetings. Many of these were derived from the ground rules found in Inspiring Peak Performance: Commitment, Competence, Collaboration:


  • Be on time.
  • Silence your cell phone, and step out if you must take a call.
  • Listen to others and be fully present.
  • Respect each other and their opinion without judgment.
  • Do not interrupt.
  • Participate without monopolizing.
  • Maintain confidentiality and when discussing situations, do not use names.
  • Keep your questions and comments relevant to the topic.
  • Be open, honest, and encouraging.


It’s worth the time investment to create a cohesive, cohort-style learning opportunity. How do you know whether you’re ready to form a community of practice? Check out Ann Hentschel’s blog post “Peer Learning Teams: Where to Begin” to learn more about the first three steps she recommends: Determine team readiness, articulate a rationale, and decide on structure.


I’ve gained a number of insights from my experience facilitating the Delaware CoP teams. First, it takes time to build rapport and trust. You cannot force cohesiveness. A facilitator can, however, provide opportunities and activities to encourage relationship building. Second, every group has its own chemistry. There is nothing that can predict the climate of a unique group of professionals. Building a sense of community happens when participants hear from colleagues that they are not the only ones facing specific challenges. They realize that the challenges are not personal but universal, and it is OK to not have all of the answers. Finally, participants should feel like the meetings are productive. Keep the group on topic and focused on solutions.


If you’re interested in learning more about communities of practice, check out these resources:


Maria Edgerton works for the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University and is the Aim4Excellence Program Coordinator in Delaware. Over the past 18 months, she has facilitated 20 communities of practice groups with an average of 15 people in each cohort group. Maria has worked in the education field for more than 20 years. She holds a master’s degree in education and bachelor’s degree in phycology/sociology.

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Building Community Partnerships for Lasting Impact

By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha • December 12, 2025
By Cara Murdoch and Sherry Rocha Community collaborations can strengthen your early childhood program, expand services for families, and increase your visibility and credibility as a trusted resource in the community. But effective partnerships don’t begin with a phone call—they start with a plan. Start with internal planning Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: Members of your board of directors or advisory board Program staff members Interested family members and parents of enrolled children. REVISIT your mission and goals A clear, shared understanding of your program’s purpose will guide effective partnerships. Before reaching out to community members or organizations, gather insights from your internal team. Hold a brief planning meeting to discuss goals, identify needs, and build a shared vision for collaboration. Consider including: What is your mission? What strengths and expertise do we bring to the community? What challenges do our enrolled families face? What support or resources would be most helpful? What can we offer potential partners in return? Clarity about these questions will ensure that your outreach to community members and organizations is focused and meaningful. Learn about local resources Begin exploring the services and organizations that exist in your community. These may become valuable referral partners or direct collaborators. Examples include: Early intervention services Family support agencies Mental health providers Multilingual tax-preparation volunteers Knowing these resources helps you connect families with the help they need. share your space and services Your early childhood center may be a valuable asset for other groups. Consider offering your space to other programs or groups to strengthen your role as a community hub. Possibilities include: Scouting America or Girl Scout meetings Parenting workshops or support groups Health screenings or nutrition programs Community committee meetings participate in community events Raising visibility in your community opens doors to partnership. Become involved in: Neighborhood clean-up days Local fairs or festivals Library literacy events Cultural celebrations School district events These types of interactions naturally build trust and relationships. build and expand your network Partnerships often begin with small conversations or shared goals. Stay curious and connected—the more people you meet, the more opportunities arise. Potential collaborators include: Museums Public libraries Human services departments Colleges and universities Local schools Cooperative Extension services Hospitals and clinics Banks and financial advisors Mental health agencies Early intervention programs Remember: partnerships are mutually beneficial Successful collaborations are built on: Clear communication Shared goals Appreciation for each other’s strengths A commitment to supporting families and the community Whether the support you receive is financial, advisory, or educational, strong partnerships help everyone thrive. A final thought Community partnerships don’t happen overnight. With the proper planning, your early childhood program can become a powerful and connected resource in your neighborhood. Start small, stay open to ideas, and let relationships grow.
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