McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

BY Erin Cetera | November 16, 2020

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

As many of us continue our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, it becomes clear that complexity exists, even in preschools and other early childhood programs. Families rely on early childhood professionals to accept and educate their children; children rely on teachers to understand, care for, and protect them. Teachers rely on their colleagues and administrators to support them and work together to discuss and decipher the complex issues that emerge.


What happens when circumstances arise that challenge teachers’ personal beliefs? In some cases, when children’s expressed desires conflict with the ideas of the adults around them, the adults are called on to check themselves. They must acknowledge the external, societal influences on themselves, families, the classroom community, and their programs. Then they have to determine a course of action that is caring and inclusive.


As a program director, I was called on to support a team of teachers as they navigated a developing relationship with a gender nonconforming preschooler’s family. The child had a gender-neutral name (we’ll use Jamie), and the family had not responded to the question asking for a binary gender designation in the enrollment paperwork. The teachers referred to the child as a boy but had expressed confusion and, to be honest, some judgment about the hairstyles and clothes that the child wore to preschool.


The teachers’ discomfort came to a head on Picture Day. Jamie arrived with braids and barrettes, wearing a skirt and tights. As the preschool had a drive-through drop-off routine and program assistants who helped children out of cars, the teachers had not spoken directly to the child’s mother as they arrived. They called me to ask what they should do. Uncertain about the question, I asked them about their concerns, which they framed as wondering if Jamie’s outfit were one the parents would want to be photographed.


It quickly became clear that their concern was limited to Jamie’s outfit. It centered around the teachers’ personal beliefs, which were biased about gender and sexuality. After quickly reviewing the communications about Picture Day, and remembering that retakes were always an option, I determined that we should trust that the parents knew it was Picture Day and move on without calling them.


Later, the teachers and I reflected on what happened and the bigger issues we discovered we needed to understand. We considered the child’s needs, the family’s needs, and those of the teachers and their colleagues within our program. Some of our thoughts and questions included:


  • What is the program’s mission? Is there a statement about non-discrimination or inclusivity? How is that interpreted and lived in the classroom and program?
  • What are our personal beliefs about gender and sexuality? Are they in line with the program’s expressed mission and policies? If not, what do we do about that?
  • Do all children feel supported and affirmed in our classrooms?
  • What can and should families expect from program staff around sensitive issues, especially as they begin to know one another?
  • How can administrators support staff, so they have enough time and the required knowledge to build trusting relationships with families?
  • What classroom practices support the inclusion of all children and families? Do we have current practices that should be evaluated and changed to ensure inclusion?
  • What administrative practices do we currently have that lead to exclusion or do not actively support every family’s sense of inclusion?


As we met and talked, it became clear that our assumptions about gender and sexuality were equity issues. The labels we use can be inclusive or exclusive. One classroom practice that was eliminated almost immediately was calling children to activities by gender (e.g., “It’s time for all the girls to come to the door.”). There are so many other ways to refer to groups of children; calling them by name is preferred, but not always practical. Try “children,” “class,” or “everyone.”


We also agreed to reconsider the practice of required drive-through drop-off and pick-up. While the convenience was desired by many (and may be the best practice during the pandemic), encouraging children’s important adults to join the teachers and children in the classrooms at the beginning or end of each day made it easier to develop friendly relationships. When those relationships exist, conversations about sensitive subjects become easier.


For more ideas and tips, these articles may be helpful, Using Gender-Inclusive Language with Children & Families and Good Morning, Boys and Girls. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) also provides guidance for supporting families of gender nonconforming children, along with research about Gender Identity and Expression in the Early Childhood Classroom.


The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership is dedicated to empowering early childhood leaders so they can positively impact outcomes for children and families. No child should have to choose between being themselves and pleasing their teachers. For more information about transgender children and youth and being an ally, visit PFLAG and GLAAD.

Erin Cetera is an Assessor and Training Specialist and a member of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

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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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