The Group Admin Leader’s Digest

You wear a lot of hats—leader, coach, problem-solver, and sometimes “mystery stain detective.” 😄 Thank you for guiding teams and supporting children and families every day. Here are quick, practical ideas you can use right away.

🚨 Ending soon: Lock in $4.90/hr!

Hello Group Admin Directors & Admins,

We truly appreciate all you do and the dedication you bring each day. To support you, we’re pleased to offer a special rate on Group Admin Online Hours: $4.90/hr (minimum 100 hours).

This offer ends January 23, 2025.

To purchase hours, please contact us at 833-283-2241 or Email us at info@childcareed.com.

Payment options:

Pay by phone: Call 833-283-2241 and we’ll assist you.
Pay by email: Save your payment method under Profile Settings in your Group Admin account, then email us with:
the number of hours you’d like to purchase, and
authorization to process payment using the saved card, including the last 4 digits of the card on file.

Thank you again for everything you do—we’re happy to help if you have any questions.

🚨 Ending soon: Lock in $4.90/hr!

UPCOMING CLASSES

Pediatric Blended First Aid & CPR/AED Adult, Child, Infant

Pediatric In-Person First Aid & CPR/AED Adult, Child, Infant

Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness

Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act

6 Hour Medication Administration Training (MAT)

SEE FULL CLASS SCHEDULE HERE!

Are You Looking for Onsite or Virtual Trainings? 🧑‍🏫💻

If you don’t see what you need on our calendar, you can request an onsite or virtual training for a group of 10 or more here:

https://www.childcareed.com/a/onsite-trainings-available.html

Staff Support Tip: Make Coaching Easy 🧑‍🏫

Use this simple feedback format after an observation:

What went well: “I saw…”
One growth goal: “Next time, try…”
Offer help: “Want me to model it or share a quick resource?”
Keeps feedback calm, clear, and consistent.

Level Up Your Skills!

Effective Communication in Professional Settings

Effective Communication in Professional Settings prepares participants to communicate with confidence and cultural awareness in today’s diverse workplace environments. The course covers the importance of two-way communication, respectful interactions across cultures, and strategies for engaging openly with new or unfamiliar perspectives. Learners will explore how to understand diverse viewpoints, navigate ambiguity, and practice listening without judgment to build stronger professional connections. By applying these skills, participants will enhance collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and strengthen their overall effectiveness in any professional setting.

👉 View the class

Mandated Reporting: What to Document and How to Respond

What is mandated reporting, and why does it matter?

Mandated reporting laws say certain people (often child care staff) must report concerns about possible abuse or neglect. The goal is to protect children and get help to families quickly.

When should you make a report?

You should make a report when you notice signs or hear information that makes you reasonably worry a child may be unsafe.

Common examples include:

A child shares (tells) something scary or unsafe
Injuries that do not match the explanation
Ongoing lack of supervision, food, hygiene, or medical care
A caregiver’s behavior that puts a child at risk (for example, severe intoxication)

SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK

1. Snow Painting: Fill a plastic bin with real snow. Give kids muffin tins with water and food coloring and paintbrushes.

2. The Ice Rescue: Freeze small plastic dinosaurs or animals in a Tupperware container overnight. Give the kids "tools" (droppers with warm water or child-safe salt) to melt them out.

3. Hot Cocoa Bin: Use dried brown beans or brown playdough as the "cocoa." Add scoops, mugs, and cotton balls for marshmallows.

Skate-A-Polar Bear!

This arctic wintery sensory play is great for number and letter writing too!

Follow ChildCareEd and tag your friends in the comments to share this play idea!

Maryland Providers!

💡 MSDE TRAINING VOUCHERS ARE BACK 💡

🎓 MSDE Training Voucher Program (Maryland Providers)

Maryland child care providers may qualify for up to $400 in training vouchers through the MSDE Training Voucher Program, while funds are available.

✅ Who Is Eligible?

You may qualify if you are a Maryland child care provider with:

A Child Care Credential Level 2 or higher (at least 2 stars), OR

A Level 2+ credential that expired between July 1, 2024 and August 30, 2025

👉 How to Apply

Visit our Grants page: Maryland: MSDE Training Vouchers

Click “Interested” to receive an email with step-by-step application instructions

For full program details, visit the MSDE Training Vouchers and Reimbursements page:

https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/office-child-care/credentialing-branch/training-vouchers-and-reimbursements

✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to complete required training at a reduced cost!

CLICK FOR FULL DETAILS on GEORGIA Scholarships

DECAL has reopened their CDA Scholarship application window on Wednesday, JANUARY 21, 2026.

Who Can Apply for this Scholarship?

To be eligible for this Georgia CDA grant, you must:

Work at least 30 hours per week in a child care learning center licensed by DECAL or the Department of Defense, a family child care learning home licensed by DECAL, an exempt Georgia Head Start center or a Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K program in a public school.

Work 15 hours per week if your employer is an after school program licensed by DECAL.

Have maintained 6 months of continuous employment in one of the following paid roles (unpaid hours do not qualify): Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Floater, Director, Assistant Director or Owner.

Hold a high school diploma or GED. (This is required by the CDA Council.)
Have completed 120 hours of CDA training and 480 clock hours before scheduling your CDA assessment.

Visit our Website

READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Education

What Are Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Education?

Inclusive practices mean making sure all children feel welcome, #safe, and supported in #early-childhood settings. This includes children of different abilities, #cultures, languages, and family backgrounds. Inclusion is not about treating everyone the same. It is about giving each child what they need to #learn and grow.