McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Linda Butkovich | February 25, 2020

Early childhood programs are active places with teaching, administrative, and support staff working with children and families. Everyone is so busy focusing on day-to-day responsibilities that it is easy to lose sight of the larger organization. Jon Gordon says “You’ll never have a committed team without connection . . . The more connected you become, the more committed you’ll be.” One important way to connect with staff is to schedule centerwide meetings for all employees to come together. Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. Time pressures and conflicting schedules are just some of the barriers that may get in the way of this goal. It can definitely be a challenge to find time for all staff members to come together; however, the effort will pay off in better communication, collegiality, and connection to the organization.


Centerwide staff meetings are addressed in Item 9 of the Program Administration Scale (PAS). This item focuses on Internal Communication. At the minimal level, “there are at least two regularly scheduled, centerwide staff meetings per year” (Talan & Bloom, 2011). It is important that all staff members have the opportunity to discuss and learn about the center together, as a team. Centerwide staff meetings offer staff the opportunity to interact with staff members they may not typically interact with, get to know one another, share ideas, hear the same information, make decisions, problem solve, revisit how the work they do intersects, share leadership tasks, and build relationships.


Once you have decided to commit time, energy, and resources to bringing all of your staff together for a meeting, the next step is to plan the agenda. Staff are the pulse of the center, therefore involving them in planning centerwide meetings makes sense. It is a good idea to send out a draft of the agenda early and ask staff if they have any items to add. You may also consider asking members of the staff to join you in planning the meeting. When staff are involved in planning the content of meetings, they are more likely to be engaged, participate in discussions, and be invested in decisions.


Centerwide staff meetings provide great opportunities for staff to get to know colleagues they do not typically interact with and to get to know staff they do interact with on a daily basis in a different way. Warm-up activities can be a fun way to begin a meeting. Here are some questions that can help team members learn more about each other:

  • What rhyme or poem can you still recite from childhood?
  • What is your favorite children’s book?
  • What was the first music concert you attended?
  • Name something on your bucket list.
  • If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?
  • What do you appreciate most?


Meetings may also be a wonderful way to encourage leadership skills among staff members. One way to do this is to ask for their participation in facilitating agenda items. For example, staff who have attended a conference could share what they learned, teachers could come prepared to share something fun or exciting that has been going on in their classrooms, administrative staff may share a technology tip, or the bus driver may share ideas about how to prepare for winter driving. Another way to encourage leadership is to provide staff with the opportunity to participate in centerwide decision making, such as planning a special event for families, selecting artwork or displays for the center entryway, reviewing public relations materials, or brainstorming field trip options. For some staff facilitating meetings, or a portion of meetings, might be a goal in their individual professional development plan. If you decide to use meetings as a way to build leadership among staff, be prepared to provide feedback. Reflecting on My Facilitation from the Making the Most of Meetings book may be used as a self-assessment for staff who facilitate meetings and a discussion starter when providing reflective supervision.


Finally, be sure to use centerwide staff meetings as a time to recognize important milestones and celebrate accomplishments. Have any staff members recently earned a degree or credential? Any births or marriages to celebrate? Has your center achieved accreditation or received an award? Any special work anniversaries to celebrate?


I hope the next time you are faced with whether or not to hold a centerwide staff meeting you will look forward with excitement to this opportunity to connect with your staff and build leadership among them!


Are you interested in learning more about meetings? Attend the 28th Taking Charge of Change Leadership Academy at the McCormick Center or inquire about having the McCormick Center come to you for training on the PAS or the Making the Most of Meetings books by emailing McCormickCenter@nl.edu.


References

Bloom, P.J. (2011). Making the Most of Meetings: A Practical Guide (2nd ed.). Lake Forest, IL: New Horizons.

Talan, T.T. & Bloom, P.J. (2011). Program Administration Scale (2nd ed.). New York: NY: Teachers College Press.


Linda Butkovich, M.S.Ed., is Report and Certification Manager for the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. In this role, Linda oversees the Program Administration Scale (PAS) and Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) certification system. Linda is also a national reliability anchor for the PAS and BAS. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education. Prior to joining the McCormick Center, Linda worked as a developmental therapist with children birth to three years of age and their families. She has also been director of an NAEYC-accredited program, teacher, and family child care provider. Linda also provides training, consultation, and mentoring for early childhood program administrators.

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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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