The Group Admin Leader’s Digest

Hello Directors & Administrators—this one’s for you.

You’re balancing staffing, schedules, compliance, enrollment, family communication, and classroom support—often all in the same hour. This week’s newsletter is designed to help you lead with clarity and care: a strong training highlight, a quick-read article, a staff-support section you can use immediately, upcoming classes, and easy engagement ideas for your program/community.

 

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)



Level Up Your Skills!



Team: Together Everyone Achieves More



Team building builds stronger bonds among members in a team. Using different communication methods, including active listening and words of encouragement and appreciation, provides opportunities for staff to get to know each other and build trust in one another. When administrators and leaders plan and implement team-building activities, they are able to support the rest of the team in nurturing deep connections with one another.



👉 View the class

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:


Submit an On-site Request


Director Toolkit

Staff support you can use this week

1) Quick staff check-in (5 minutes)


Ask each staff member:


“What’s working well right now?”


“What’s one challenge you want support with?”


“What’s one small change that would make your day easier?”


2) Mini coaching move (10 minutes)


Pick one classroom to do a quick “look-for” walkthrough:


Warm greetings + emotional support


Clear routines/visual supports


Inclusive participation (materials adapted, choices offered)


Child-led play + language-rich interactions

Leave a 1-sentence note: “I noticed ___.” + “Next step: try ___.”


3) Staff morale quick win


Choose one:


“Shout-out board” in staff room


Surprise snack cart / coffee day


  • 10-minute “reset” coverage rotation (each staff gets a breather)


SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEK

Home daycare providers, do you get creative with the snacks? Here are 4 winter snack ideas for you to try


🍓 Snowman Banana Pops: Slice bananas, stack them on a stick, add strawberry hats and chocolate chip eyes.


🐻‍❄ Polar Bear Pudding Cups: Use chocolate pudding with whipped cream, marshmallow ears, and chocolate paw prints.


⛄️ Melted Snowman Yogurt: White yogurt bowls decorated with pretzel stick arms, candy eyes, and raisin buttons.



❄️ "Snow" Rice Cakes: Rice cakes topped with cream cheese, coconut flakes, and fruit snowman faces.


💗 Reeling you in with this adorable Valentine’s Day activity 💕 Sharpen fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills. Tag your friends in the comments to share this video and give ChildCareEd a follow 🙂

Celebrate Groundhog Day with a preschool-friendly coloring sheet! 


Click Here for Free Resource

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 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.


OR


  • 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.


READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

The Lead Teacher Leap: How a CDA Unlocks Higher Pay and More Responsibility.


Why the CDA is Your Ticket to Success?

Becoming a lead teacher is a big step. It means you are ready to take charge of a classroom. You are ready to lead other teachers. Most of all, you are ready to help children learn in the best way.


One of the best ways to reach this goal is to earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. It is a special certificate that shows you know how to care for children and help them grow. In 2026, more schools and #centers are looking for teachers who have this certificate.


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Are You Hiring? ChildCareEd Can Help

Finding qualified, passionate childcare professionals just got easier! With ChildCareEd’s Job Board, you can connect directly with educators who are ready to make a difference.

Post your openings, reach qualified candidates, and build the team your program deserves—fast and simple.


 

EXPLORE CHILDCAREED

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