Winter 2026

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Today is an incredible day! The team at Early Years has successfully won the contract to continue our support for you, the workforce that educates, cares and loves our youngest NC citizens so much!

For the next two years, we will continue to support classrooms in building daily quality of care and education, site administrators in developing the skills to more effectively support high-quality classrooms and family child care educators in providing high-quality daily care and education for all of their children. Our work will be shifting to a cohort-based delivery and application model. More information will be released in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Remember to take good care of you at the same time you are loving those in your care.

-Ginger, NC B-3QI Project Manager

You can find additional information by clicking on the blue buttons and green links throughout our newsletter, or by visiting our website.

These activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate and easy to add to your lesson plan. They include NCFELD alignments and tons of fun for your young ones. 

Doctor Pretend Play Game

By Deborah Thomas, Former Region 14 Birth-to-Three Specialist

The importance of pretend play is that it will help children make sense of the world they live in and the environment that surrounds them, and be able to process things at their level of understanding and recreate how they want things to be. The doctor's office can be a scary place; playing the pretend game will help to ease anxiety and fear. This will allow the children to know what’s going to happen when they get called back behind those doors and be a little more at ease. 

The doctor pretend play is a game that can be played at a doctor’s office or at home with the family. There are so many benefits of pretend play. While playing this game, it allows a child to become creative and use their imagination. Children learn to problem-solve and figure out a solution. (Their doll is not feeling well. Are they going to rock and comfort her or let her cry? They are going to rock and comfort their baby.) Children will also develop empathy, understanding and sharing the feelings of one another. Language will develop and expand through hearing words you say or imitating what you have said. (Can I check your ears? Can I listen to your heart?) Role play takes place as the child transitions from being the patient to being the doctor. Playing and talking have built their social and communication skills through interacting during this game.

By Teresa Speller, Region 13 Birth-to-Three Specialist

To provide workday wellness, it is important to know that there are many types of wellness to consider, including emotional wellness, spiritual wellness, social wellness, intellectual wellness, physical wellness and environmental wellness. An ideal workplace would include all of these.

It is important to allow staff to see that wellness is ongoing and not just a fad that happens occasionally, so that it will help to create long-term habits to promote wellness.

Although participation is voluntary, showing that you care about yourself and your team will go a long way and possibly encourage more participation if your efforts are genuine and consistent. We all like to feel that we are a priority to others, especially in the workplace, where we often think we need to just do our jobs well and earn our pay. As an administrator, consider some of the following ideas.

Environmental Wellness

Make sure the work environment is comfortable and allows others to feel that you are approachable. Have a booking calendar where staff can book time with you to talk about anything good or bad, and not just when there is an issue. 

Emotional Wellness

Being sensitive to others and how they feel, as well as your own feelings. Being realistic about what to expect from others.

Social Wellness

Taking the time to have "fun" and understand it supports a healthy working environment. Find a balance. Build relationships of respect for each other and the role each plays in the success of the team.

Intellectual Wellness

Seek experiences to learn from and ask probing questions if you have an interest in learning new skills that will help you grow.

Physical Wellness

Provide healthy snacks or ideas. Share recipes that promote good eating to fuel the body with energy. Have regular "movement moments.” These can be different things that happen once a week to keep the body active and show you care about your team’s health.

Reference: nkyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-revisions-Total-Worker-Health-6.pdf

While childcare is a rewarding profession, it can also be extremely demanding. The emotional and physical toll of caring for young children, managing staff, and running a center can lead to burnout if not properly managed. As a childcare director or owner, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of burnout and implement strategies to support both your staff and yourself. 

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight but rather builds over time. Some common signs to look for in yourself and your staff include: 

• Chronic exhaustion and fatigue: Feeling drained, even after a full night’s rest
• Decreased motivation: Loss of enthusiasm for daily tasks 
• Increased irritability: Short temper with coworkers, parents, or children 
• Reduced job performance: Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks efficiently 
• Physical symptoms: Frequent headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension 

If you or your staff are experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to take action. 

Strategies to Support Your Staff

Foster a Supportive Work Environment
Creating a positive workplace culture can significantly reduce stress. Encourage open communication and provide opportunities for staff to voice concerns without fear of judgment. 

Encourage Self-Care

Remind your team that they can’t pour from an empty cup. Promote self-care practices such as:

• Taking breaks during shifts 
• Staying hydrated and eating well
• Engaging in activities that bring joy outside of work 

Offer Professional Development 
Burnout can stem from feeling stagnant in a role. Providing opportunities for growth, such as training and workshops, can help staff stay engaged and motivated. 

Show Appreciation
Recognizing hard work can go a long way. Simple gestures like thank-you notes, shoutouts in meetings, or small incentives can boost morale. 


See these 10 ideas to show childcare staff appreciation for more inspiration.

Provide Mental Health Resources 
Consider offering access to counseling services or wellness programs. Even something as simple as sharing mental health resources can make a difference. 

Strategies to Support Yourself 

As a childcare director or owner, you set the tone for your center. Taking care of yourself ensures you can effectively lead your team. 

Set Boundaries 

Running a childcare center can feel like a 24/7 job, but it’s essential to create a work-life balance. Set limits on work hours and unplug from emails and messages during personal time. 

Delegate Responsibilities 

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Trust your team and delegate tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed. 

Prioritize Your Well-Being 

Make time for activities that help you recharge, whether it’s exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. 

Seek Support 

Connect with other childcare professionals to share experiences and gain perspective. Networking can be a great way to find solutions to common challenges. 

Remind Yourself Why You Started 

Reconnecting with your passion for early childhood education can reignite your motivation. Reflect on the positive impact your center has on children and families. 

Burnout is a real challenge in the childcare industry, but with proactive steps, you can create a healthier and more supportive work environment. By prioritizing the well-being of your staff and yourself, you can foster a workplace that not only prevents burnout but also allows educators to thrive.

Communication and Language Development

By Deanna Bledsoe, Region 12 Birth-to-Three Specialist

Infants and toddlers begin to understand words and express themselves in their language as they learn the rules of conversation. Most children gain receptive language before they develop expressive language skills. As young children’s receptive and expressive vocabularies grow, they become skilled communicators who use their language skills to meet their needs, provide information and enjoy playing and learning with others. Children who hear fewer words are engaged in less conversation before age 3 with their caregivers, and have dramatically smaller vocabularies than children who have richer early language experiences (Hart and Risley, 1995). Communication and language happen best in the context of consistent and responsive relationships.

The chart below highlights infant and toddler communication skills as they grow.



2 months: 

• Make sounds other than crying
• Smiles at people when they talk or smile

4 months: 

• Make sounds back when spoken to
• Turns head in the direction of your voice
• Make sounds when looking at objects

6 months:

• Begins to drool and create small bubbles with tongue and lips
• Make squealing noises

9 months:

• Lifts arms to be picked up
• Points to ask for something

12 months: 

• Says “ Mama and dada”
• Uses simple gestures like waving “ bye-bye”

15 months: 

• Looks for a familiar object when named
• Points to ask for something
• Follows simple directions

18 months: 

• Shakes head “no”
• Tries to say three or more words besides “ mama “ or “ dada”
• Follows simple instructions without gestures 

24 months: 

• Points to things or pictures when they are named
• Says sentences with a least two words together like” More milk”
• Repeats words overheard in conversation

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). Developmental Milestones.
• Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. (2002). Ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ). agesandstages.com

By Deb Thompson, Region 12 Birth-to-Three Specialist

Self-care is all about putting yourself first. And while that is difficult for most of us to do, it is so important. We have to fill our cups first so we can pour into others, but we often neglect this. It’s important to our health and wellness, and essential to your ability to care for others and be successful. It also protects you from the negative impact stress can have on your health. This is not a luxury—it’s a necessity!

There are seven self-care tips that are recommended for success, and I will list them here:

1. Establish boundaries: You have many responsibilities in addition to caring for children. You are emotional support and a family liaison. Stick with your schedule and establish an ‘end’ time for your daily work.
2. Practice gratitude: Making a list of what you are thankful for can alleviate your stress and give you something to recall as you reflect on difficult situations.
3. Reflection: Reflect on how you are providing a positive learning environment and the impact you are having on the children. Meditation and journaling can help manage stress and emotions.
4. Recognize limits: Consider situations you can manage, recognizing the limits of your control. To keep stress at bay, focus on where you can make an impact.
5. Focus on relationships: Strengthening professional and personal relationships can help you gain support during your challenging times. Maintaining those relationships can be a good way to focus.
6. Commit to exercise: Going for a brief walk every day can be a big stress reliever. The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
7. Strengthen your skills: Positive feelings, like confidence, are associated with lower levels of stress, and developing your classroom skills can help you gain this self-assurance. Professional development to learn the latest information can help you feel more comfortable in your work.

References:

• unicef.org/parenting/mental-health-and-well-being
• purdueglobal.edu/blog/nursing/self-care-for-nurses/?source=302454,302454&ve=60493,60493
• augusta.edu/online/blog/self-care-for-teachers
• who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
• ycp.edu/news/self-care-teachers-and-educators-how-balance-passion-and-wellness

According to ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators, early experiences with books should be an integral part of an infant’s daily routine. These experiences, such as mouthing a book and shared reading time with a loving adult, not only mark the beginning of language and literacy development, but also help the infant to associate pleasure with reading.

Below are a few strategies to get you started in having successful shared book/reading times with your infants:

• Have a variety of books for your babies throughout their day: board/chunky books and or cloth books with faces (familiar faces/family pictures), animals/pets and other familiar objects (trees, flowers, items used every day). Look for bright colors and sharp contrasts between the picture and the page.
• Look at, point at and talk about/name/label the pictures, familiar objects: use lots of different facial expressions and vocal tones to communicate the meaning of words. During the shared time, show interest and enjoyment in the book. Make book/reading time pleasant for the babies.
• Have daily lap reading time: share books with individual babies in your lap or small groups (one or two) while on the floor during tummy time.
• Don’t be afraid to read/share the same book over and over: this lets you know the babies are developing an interest in books and is the beginning of understanding the importance of reading.
• Encourage the baby to be involved in the use of the book/reading time: let the infant hold the book, pat/touch the pictures or help turn a page.
• Have books easily available/accessible for the babies: if the baby is mobile, make sure the area is set up so he/she can access books on their own. For non-mobile babies, sit with or have lap time with the book or place the book within reach of the baby.
• Make sure the books you have available and accessible are age-appropriate for your babies: appropriateness includes not only the content of the book but also:
• The books should be in good repair
• Easy to turn pages for the baby
• Clear, large, colorful pictures and not just printed words
• No aggression or anything frightening or violent displayed in pictures or words
• The theme/subject matter of the books should be timeless, enduring and appealing to the baby
• Inclusive of a variety of cultures, languages and characters with different abilities

Resources:

• ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators, 2016
• North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, 2013
• Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale Third Edition (ITERS-3), 2017

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Early Years leads efforts to strengthen accessible and affordable high-quality early care and education by providing support for families, communities and the workforce.