At this point at the beginning of the year, I would really love for winter in New York to be over. Enough already, after the snowfall from a few weeks ago, we deserve something warmer. But our children deserve good, warm practices when it comes to childcare. That thought reminds…

After Mayor Mamdani announced that he would make more child care seats available and improve our system, I made an Instagram post titled Someone Finally Gets It. In a pink shirt with pink lipstick, I talked about what my 40 years in child care had taught me. That fixing child…

Today was a snow day in New York. The public schools were closed. My company supervises preschool teachers. We were warned on Saturday the schools might close. We got the word on Sunday that they would. My team, instead of enjoying their weekend, worked to prepare for remote learning. They…

Routines strengthen our children’s learning, give them clear ideas about space and about what we do day to day, and allow us to share learning experiences with them. However, routines can also lead us into a dangerous trap. During visits to several programs in recent weeks, I have noticed that…

Many times, we hear misunderstood ideas about free play. From those who say it is “letting children do whatever they want,” to those who believe it is simply “an excuse to avoid doing pedagogical work.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Well, perhaps the idea of “letting children do…

To close out the fall season, we took two family trips. Both in Queens and Brooklyn, we spent time together visiting farm spaces. The dynamic seems simple and innocent: a family day with the children who attend our early childhood programs. However, the intention is much bigger—more optimistic, more ambitious.

That time of year is approaching — you know exactly which one I’m talking about. You start asking long before it begins whether we already have funds available to purchase materials. And as soon as someone on the team says “yes,” the list frenzy begins.

“I applied for child care three times and was denied. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my baby until I came to your network. I got help, I got approved, now my baby is in a safe place and I’m working.” That’s what a parent told…

Summer is in full swing: it’s already August. Yes, keep the children hydrated. Yes, be mindful of the temperature before outdoor activities. Yes, let children play in nature and explore their surroundings. Let every moment become a learning experience. But… our little ones in 3-K are about to return —…

No, decision-making is not a trait exclusive to adulthood. Nor is it something we learn once we become adults. Even less so is it something that magically comes with turning eighteen. The practice of making good decisions begins in the earliest stages of childhood. We simply need to ensure that…