Training That Brings Learning to Life in Early Childhood Education
Effective early childhood training should feel engaging, practical, and connected to real work. This article shares why hands-on professional development helps educators build confidence, strengthen relationships, and apply learning that supports children, families, and program quality.
Professional development in early childhood education should feel as active and meaningful as the work educators do every day. That belief is at the heart of how I approach training.
Early childhood classrooms are dynamic spaces. Educators are constantly observing, responding, guiding, and building relationships in real time. Training that supports this work should reflect that same level of engagement. When professional development is hands-on and interactive, learning becomes something educators experience, not just something they hear about.
I design trainings to invite participation. Educators are encouraged to reflect, discuss, and practice together. This creates energy in the room and allows learning to connect directly to real classroom experiences. When participants can talk through scenarios, explore ideas with peers, and try out strategies, the content feels relevant and practical.
Engaging professional development also strengthens early childhood teams. When staff learn together, they develop shared language and understanding. This alignment supports consistency in caregiving practices, supervision, and communication. Children benefit when adults are on the same page and respond with intention and confidence.
Hands-on training is especially important when exploring topics like responsive caregiving, attachment, and child development. These concepts are shaped through everyday interactions, not abstract theory. Training that allows educators to examine those moments, reflect on their responses, and build skills together helps bridge the gap between knowledge and practice.
One training that reflects this approach is The Snowman Effect. This session uses a simple and memorable metaphor to explore how intentional interactions build resilience, secure attachment, and a strong foundation for identity from infancy through preschool. Participants are actively involved as they connect brain development and attachment theory to the work they do with children each day.
Rather than focusing on lecture, this training invites conversation, reflection, and practice. Educators leave with a clearer understanding of how their responses shape development and with tools they can use immediately in their classrooms.
Effective early childhood professional development should feel engaging, supportive, and grounded in real work. When educators are energized and involved, learning lasts. That kind of training builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and supports high-quality care for children and families.
Building Safety Before Something Goes Wrong
Safety in early childhood programs is not created by policies alone. It is built through leadership, daily practices, and a shared commitment to quality. This article explores how intentional leadership shapes safety culture, supports staff, and strengthens trust with families long before concerns arise.
In early childhood education, safety is often discussed after an incident occurs. A report is filed. Questions are asked. Systems are reviewed under pressure.
But high-quality child care programs do not treat safety as a reaction. They treat it as a daily practice built through leadership, communication, and intentional routines.
Child care safety is not separate from program quality. It is one of its core foundations.
When early childhood leaders view safety as part of overall quality, expectations become clearer and more consistent across classrooms. Staff are not simply following rules or licensing requirements. They understand the purpose behind supervision practices, ratios, and daily routines. That understanding shapes how they respond to children, communicate with one another, and make decisions throughout the day.
Strong safety practices in early childhood settings often show up in small but consistent ways. Teams regularly revisit supervision plans. Leaders check in when classroom routines change. Staff communicate clearly during transitions and staffing shifts. These actions may seem simple, but they play a critical role in preventing injuries, reducing risk, and supporting safe environments for children.
Safety culture is just as important as written policies.
In programs with a strong safety culture, staff feel supported rather than monitored. Questions are encouraged. Concerns are addressed early. Accountability is shared across the team. This type of environment allows educators to slow down, remain present, and make thoughtful decisions that protect children and support their development.
Families notice this consistency. When safety practices are clear and intentional, trust grows. Families feel confident knowing their children are cared for in an environment where supervision, communication, and leadership are aligned. Trust between families and programs is strengthened when safety is proactive rather than reactive.
Leadership plays a central role in building and sustaining this culture. Early childhood program leaders set the tone by reinforcing expectations, explaining the why behind safety practices, and making space for ongoing conversation. Safety is not static. As children grow, programs evolve, and routines shift, safety practices must be revisited and adjusted.
Quality child care programs understand that safety cannot be layered on after something goes wrong. It must be built into daily practice through habits, relationships, and shared responsibility.
When safety is embedded into the foundation of a program, everyone benefits. Children experience consistent care and supervision. Staff feel supported and prepared. Families feel reassured. And programs are better equipped to navigate challenges before they escalate.
The Cost of Complacency in Safety Practices
Even the strongest child care programs can lose focus when safety routines become automatic. In this article, Cheryl Carey explores how complacency develops in early childhood settings, why small oversights can lead to big risks, and how leaders can build a culture of safety that stays consistent over time. Learn practical ways to strengthen supervision, reinforce accountability, and keep child care safety at the center of your daily practice.
In child care, safety is something we talk about often. Most programs have policies, drills, and compliance checks in place. But over time, routines can become habits, and habits can quietly turn into complacency.
When that happens, safety becomes background noise instead of a daily priority.
I have seen it firsthand in classrooms, playgrounds, and administrative offices. The signs are subtle.
Staff stop double-checking playground gates because "it’s always closed."
Classroom ratios stretch for "just a few minutes."
Directors assume everyone remembers the plan instead of reviewing it.
It is not neglect or carelessness. It is comfort. And comfort in this field can be risky.
Small Oversights, Big Impact
Most incidents in child care do not happen because someone did not care. They happen because a single step was missed. A door was left unlatched. A supervision zone was uncovered. A safety reminder was skipped.
The cost of those moments is not only in paperwork or investigations, but in trust. Families trust us to keep their children safe. Staff trust that leaders will model and reinforce that same commitment. When that trust breaks, it takes time and intentional effort to rebuild.
The Drift Toward Routine
Complacency rarely appears overnight. It happens slowly, as small routines become automatic. Staff get comfortable. Systems start to rely on memory instead of structure. What was once a priority becomes an afterthought.
Awareness fades when safety practices are treated as something we already “know.” In reality, safety is something that must be practiced, discussed, and revisited again and again.
Creating a Culture That Stays Alert
Building a culture of safety starts with mindset. It means moving away from the idea that safety is a checklist and instead recognizing it as a daily, living practice.
Here are a few ways to strengthen that culture:
Keep safety visible. Post reminders, review drills, and make time for safety discussions at meetings.
Model what matters. When leaders follow every step, staff take notice.
Encourage reflection. Ask “what if” questions to identify blind spots.
Recognize awareness. Acknowledge when staff catch potential risks or make suggestions for improvement.
When staff feel ownership over safety, accountability becomes part of the culture.
Staying Grounded in Purpose
Safety is not a task to complete. It is a mindset that protects children, supports families, and upholds the integrity of your program.
The cost of complacency is not measured only in incidents or violations. It shows up in the moments when awareness slips, when routines replace reflection, and when people stop asking questions.
The best programs are not perfect. They are present. They notice patterns, revisit policies, and keep safety at the center of every decision.
Because the moment we stop paying attention is the moment safety begins to fade.
Elevating Care: Turning Texas Child Care Standards Into Tools for Quality
Texas Minimum Standards are often viewed as a checklist, but they hold much more potential. In this new training, Elevating Care: Texas Standards as Your Quality Guide, Cheryl Carey helps child care professionals see how each standard is a building block for quality. Through practical examples and meaningful discussion, participants learn how to move beyond compliance and strengthen safety, wellness, and family partnerships in their programs.
When I sit down with directors or providers, I often hear the same thing: “Standards feel like one more thing to check off.” And I understand why. Regulations can seem overwhelming, especially when the focus is on passing inspections or avoiding violations.
But here’s the truth I want every child care professional to hear: Texas Minimum Standards are not just about compliance. They are a research-based framework designed to help you create safer, stronger, higher-quality programs. When we shift our perspective, the very rules that once felt like a burden can become powerful tools for growth.
Why Standards Matter for More Than Compliance
Standards are connected to the everyday experiences of children and families. They guide how we set up environments, build routines, and engage with children in ways that protect their safety and support their development.
Think about it this way:
Safety – Standards outline the basics, but when followed with care, they build confidence among families and staff.
Child Development – Behind each rule is research about how children learn, grow, and thrive.
Trust – Families notice when your program feels consistent, structured, and intentional.
This isn’t just about passing inspections. It’s about building programs that families are proud to choose and staff are proud to be part of.
Shifting From Minimum to Meaningful
When providers view Texas child care standards as a checklist, they miss the deeper connection between compliance and quality. But when we approach them with curiosity and intention, they become an opportunity to strengthen practice.
For example, instead of asking, “What do I need to do to stay in compliance?” ask, “How does this standard help me create a safe and welcoming environment for children and families?”
That shift opens the door to growth, professional confidence, and long-term success.
Training That Brings It to Life
I created Elevating Care: Texas Standards as Your Quality Guide because I want to help child care teams make this shift. This training is interactive, practical, and designed to connect the dots between compliance and excellence.
Participants walk away with:
A new perspective on Texas Minimum Standards as tools for quality child care
Practical strategies that improve child safety, staff confidence, and family engagement
Real-world examples that show how compliance leads to stronger programs
This training is now available for directors, administrators, and child care teams who want to move beyond minimum and embrace meaningful, lasting quality.
If your program is ready to elevate care and grow stronger through intentional use of Texas standards, I’d love to support you.
Behind the Work: Serving as an Expert Witness in Child Care Cases
Serving as an expert witness in child care cases requires objectivity, clarity, and a deep commitment to children’s safety. In this article, Cheryl Carey shares how she approaches her work, what attorneys value most, and why this role is so meaningful in ensuring safe, high-quality care.
Serving as an expert witness in child care cases is a role that requires objectivity, clarity, and a deep commitment to children’s safety. Attorneys often ask what this work looks like in practice and how an expert contributes to the legal process.
Here, I’m sharing how I approach expert witness work, what legal teams value most, and why this role is personally meaningful to me.
The Role of an Expert Witness
My responsibility as an expert witness is to bring specialized knowledge and objective analysis to the courtroom. I help judges, juries, and attorneys understand accepted standards of care, safety protocols, and best practices in child care.
This role is never about advocating for one side. Instead, it is about providing a clear, unbiased opinion based on training, expertise, and evidence.
How I Approach Each Case
When an attorney reaches out, I follow a systematic process designed to build a complete and objective understanding of the case:
Comprehensive Review – I begin by reviewing all relevant documentation such as licensing reports, incident narratives, medical records, and compliance history.
Analysis and Opinion – I analyze the information against child care standards and best practices, forming a clear professional opinion.
Consultation with Attorneys – I share preliminary findings with the legal team and address their key questions.
Formal Report – I prepare a detailed expert report outlining my background, findings, and rationale.
Testimony – When needed, I provide testimony through depositions or in court, explaining technical standards in a way that is accessible and clear.
The Types of Cases I Work On
Most cases I support involve incidents where a child’s health or safety was allegedly compromised in a licensed child care setting. This often includes:
Serious injuries sustained by a child in care
Concerns about supervision failures
Situations where a provider’s policies or staff actions placed a child at risk
In each case, I review the evidence alongside state and national standards to determine whether the provider met their duty of care.
What Attorneys Value Most
Attorneys I’ve worked with tell me they value several key qualities:
Credibility – Years of experience in child care give me the professional background to provide opinions that withstand scrutiny.
Objectivity – My role is to remain impartial, grounded only in facts and standards, regardless of which side retained me.
Communication – I translate complex regulations and child development practices into language that everyone in the courtroom can understand.
Consistency – I approach every case with the same level of preparation and thoroughness, giving attorneys confidence in my support.
The Challenges and Rewards
The most challenging aspect of this work is reviewing cases where a child has been injured. It can be emotional to read through those details. What keeps me grounded is my commitment to finding the truth and providing an accurate, unbiased assessment of the situation.
Ultimately, this work is rewarding because it allows me to protect children by holding child care providers to the highest standards. Whether clarifying that a provider exceeded expectations or identifying where care fell short, I know my role contributes to a safer future for children.
Why This Work Matters to Me
This work combines my passion for protecting children with my professional expertise. I believe in accountability, high standards, and the right of every child to be in a safe and nurturing environment.
Serving as an expert witness gives me the opportunity to make sure that truth, safety, and quality care are at the center of every case. For me, it is not only a professional role but also a personal mission.