The One Email Every Childcare Director Should Be Sending Each MonthWhat if one simple email each month could strengthen your relationships with the people making decisions that impact your childcare center?For many directors, advocacy feels overwhelming or like something someone else should handle. But after more than 21 years of leading ScribbleTime, I've learned that advocacy isn't about politics—it's about building relationships.In this episode, I'm sharing the story that completely changed how I think about advocacy, why every childcare director should know their elected officials, and the simple strategy I use to stay connected throughout the year.We'll talk about: Why relationship-building matters more than asking for funding  How to write short, meaningful emails your elected officials will actually read  The difference between bringing problems and bringing solutions  Simple ways to advocate for children, families, and the early education profession  How consistent communication can make a lasting impact over time You don't have to be an expert in government to make a difference. You just have to be willing to share what's happening inside your center.Looking for more practical resources you can use in your center? Visit The Director's Club for free downloads, workshops, podcasts, and tools created and used in a real childcare center to help you build stronger systems, support your team, and lead with confidence.  Go to the website here thedirectorsclub.net

 Some of the best leadership lessons I've ever applied to my child care center didn't come from the early childhood field—they came from my years in corporate banking.In this episode, I'm sharing five leadership principles that helped me build a stronger foundation at ScribbleTime and continue to guide the decisions I make today. We'll talk about planning instead of reacting, building systems that create freedom, leading through change, understanding your numbers, and why a strong foundation helps your center navigate whatever comes next.If you're looking for practical leadership ideas you can apply in your center this week, this episode is for you.Build the foundation. Lead the transition.Are you looking for a community to get connected to or need a one-off workshop?  We have a new line-up I'm excited to share with you!   Shop - CLICK HERE The Directors Club

Are you creating leadership bottlenecks without even realizing it?In this episode, I'm sharing six common ways directors unintentionally slow down their own centers—from being the answer to every question to unclear expectations and missing systems. I'll walk you through simple shifts that can help you reclaim your time, strengthen your team, and build a center that runs more consistently—even when you're not there.Build the foundation. Lead the transition.Are you looking for a community to get connected to or need a one-off workshop?  We have a new line-up I'm excited to share with you!   Shop - CLICK HERE The Directors Club

ResourceParent Handbook FREE Workshop HERE:  https://memberships.kartra.com/page/parenthandbooktemplateEpisode Title: 5 Things I'm Updating at ScribbleTime Right NowEpisode Description:What does summer really look like behind the scenes at a child care center?In this episode, I'm taking you inside ScribbleTime and sharing the five areas we're updating before the school year begins. After more than twenty-one years of leading our center, one thing I've learned is that great programs are never "finished." Strong leaders are always looking for ways to improve their systems, strengthen their teams, and create a better experience for children and families.I'll share the real projects we're working on right now, why we're making these updates, and how continuous improvement has become part of our leadership culture.In this episode we'll discuss: Child Development Support updates  Parent Handbook revisions  Classroom procedures  Leadership resources  Why your systems should continue evolving every year Whether you're reviewing one policy or rethinking an entire process, I hope this episode inspires you to take a fresh look at your own center.Build the foundation. Lead the transition.Are you looking for a community to get connected to or need a one-off workshop?  We have a new line-up I'm excited to share with you!   Shop - CLICK HERE The Directors Club

For those who are new to our community—and as a reminder for those who have been here for years—I wanted to share the story behind why I do this work.In this episode, I talk about my journey from corporate banking to child care ownership, the leadership lessons that shaped how I run ScribbleTime, and the personal experiences that inspired The Director's Club and The Early Education Teachers Lounge.You'll also hear why supporting directors, teachers, and leadership teams has become such an important part of my mission, along with a look at some exciting things coming next for our centers and our community.If you've ever wondered what drives the work we do, this episode is for you.Are you looking for a community to get connected to or need a one-off workshop?  We have a new line-up I'm excited to share with you!   Shop - CLICK HERE The Directors Club

Directors, how many times have you blamed a staff issue on onboarding — only to realize the real gap was something else entirely? In this episode, Noelle breaks down the critical difference between onboarding and compliance, and why mixing them up means you're solving the wrong problem. Onboarding teaches the what and the how. Compliance confirms it's actually happening — whether you're watching or not.Through real scenarios (a bus driver off-protocol for a year, a teacher skipping rest time checks, staff records constantly lapsing), you'll learn how to quickly diagnose which system is broken and what to do about it. If your center is struggling with consistency, accountability, or staff not following through — this episode is your starting point.In this episode:What good onboarding actually covers (and what it can't fix)Why compliance is a system, not a checklist binderThree real-world scenarios that show exactly where the gap livesThe key questions to ask yourself when something goes wrongWhy training someone once doesn't mean the behavior is locked inCompliance is a full-time, full-year job. Onboarding is a moment in time. Know the difference — and lead your center like you mean it.COMPLIANCE COMMAND CENTER WORKSHOPConnect with us at The Director's Club HERE

Noelle shares a staffing dilemma at her childcare center: a group of six or seven teachers with ongoing attendance and punctuality issues that persist despite meetings, warnings, and write-ups, prompting her to start hiring and potentially work some staff out. She outlines an inexpensive hiring plan before paying for ads, including rewriting and simplifying job postings with a positive culture-and-growth message, testing a free Indeed account, trying EarlyDay.com, publishing a blog about expansion and workplace culture with a link to apply, creating Canva hiring graphics, posting in local community Facebook groups, and emailing past and potential client lists for referrals, including former students returning as staff. She also offers ideas for rural programs, such as proactively partnering with local high schools to present early-education career pathways and recruiting from relevant courses.Check out our new Lunch and Lead series HEREConnect with us at The Director's Club HERE

Noelle discusses a common question from childcare directors—how much to raise tuition—and explains that there is no universal percentage because each center’s expenses, staffing, benefits, rent, and financial goals differ. She recommends starting with a budget built from last year’s numbers, adjusting for expected changes like staff raises, rent, taxes, insurance, new programs, and extra cash flow, then calculating the revenue gap to determine the needed increase. After that, she suggests checking community rates within your specific market and positioning your center based on quality and demand so the final tuition rate balances what your budget requires with what is reasonable locally. She encourages directors to complete 2026 budgets, seek help from a CPA/bookkeeper or software, and invites listeners to join the Director’s Club for ongoing support.Check out our new Lunch and Lead series HEREConnect with us at The Director's Club HERE

 Noelle talks about staff retention challenges in child care programs, including accountability, support needs across generations, and improvement that doesn’t always come from training or formal feedback. She explains how adding simple, intentional one-on-one “connection” check-ins a few times a year can shift a culture where employees only meet with leadership when something is wrong. These meetings are not evaluations or disciplinary conversations; they are protected, distraction-free time to build trust, celebrate what’s going well, surface concerns early, and understand what feels overwhelming. She outlines sample questions, key benefits such as stronger relationships, earlier problem awareness, improved morale, and higher retention, and encourages leaders to schedule check-ins consistently across the team, including assistant directors.Check out our new Lunch and Lead series HEREConnect with us at The Director's Club HERE

Ever feel like you're running your center instead of leading it? In this episode, Noelle shares the turning point that changed everything during ScribbleTime's expansion from 72 to 114 students. Discover why protecting just one hour a day for leadership work can give you back 240 hours a year to build the systems your center desperately needs. Learn the difference between managing day-to-day operations and leading your center forward, plus get practical strategies for setting boundaries with your team and finally tackling that project you keep putting off. If "enrollment" (or any other important project) keeps showing up on your to-do list week after week, this episode is your roadmap to breaking free from constant interruptions and reclaiming your role as a leader. Check out our new Lunch and Lead series HEREConnect with us at The Director's Club HERE