Discover helpful articles, podcasts, blogs & webinars here

Ideas and inspiration to help you run an amazing early education center.

Wild & Wonder: Exploring, Creating & Building with Nature | Learning Lab

Watch the recording of our Learning Lab with Krystal Churcher and discover simple, nature-based activity ideas, creative classroom inspiration, and practical strategies for early childhood educators. Looking for fresh ways to bring nature into your classroom without adding extra prep or overwhelm? In this ChildFriendly Learning Lab, Krystal Churcher shares practical, hands-on ideas that help […]

read more

most recent post

Wild & Wonder: Exploring, Creating & Building with Nature | Learning Lab

read more

Watch the recording of our Learning Lab with Krystal Churcher and discover simple, nature-based activity ideas, creative classroom inspiration, and practical strategies for early childhood educators. Looking for fresh ways to bring nature into your classroom without adding extra prep or overwhelm? In this ChildFriendly Learning Lab, Krystal Churcher shares practical, hands-on ideas that help […]

Learning Lab

read more

Watch the recording of our Learning Lab with Krystal Churcher and discover simple, nature-based activity ideas, creative classroom inspiration, and practical strategies for early childhood educators. Looking for fresh ways to bring nature into your classroom without adding extra prep or overwhelm? In this ChildFriendly Learning Lab, Krystal Churcher shares practical, hands-on ideas that help […]

Biting is one of the most concerning behaviours for both parents and early childhood educators. While it can feel alarming, it is also a common and developmentally appropriate behaviour, particularly between the ages of 12 and 30 months. Learn why biting happens in early childhood and how daycare educators can help children who bite.

Blog, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, health & safety

April 24, 2026

Why Biting Happens in Early Childhood (and What It Really Means)

Play-based learning is powerful—but sometimes it can be difficult to clearly explain the why behind everyday activities. For early childhood educators, the challenge isn’t just setting up engaging experiences for children—it’s also recognizing the learning happening in the moment and confidently communicating it to families. In this Learning Lab session, childcare leader Krystal Churcher shares […]

Blog, Learning Labs

March 13, 2026

Turning Simple Activities into Powerful Learning: Watch Our Learning Lab for ECEs

On December 10, ChildFriendly co-founder and childcare operator Laura Bancroft unveiled our brand-new Curriculum & Planning Suite—a modern solution designed to help centers showcase quality, support intentional teaching, and keep enrollment high. If you missed the live session, the full recording is available below along with next steps and upcoming learning opportunities. Watch the full […]

How ChildFriendly’s New Curriculum & Planning Suite Helps Centers Stand Out

Blog, early learning, Lunch & Learn, Webinar

December 10, 2025

Engaging small groups of preschoolers can sometimes feel like trying to corral a bunch of bouncy kangaroos. Thankfully, we’ve got just the right antidote! With these activities, you can keep your little learners entertained, engaged, and eager for more. Whether you’re navigating a sea of giggles or initiating the next Einstein, these small group activities […]

Blog, Classroom ECE, Early Childhood Education, preschool education, Teacher Resources

November 14, 2025

Small Group Activities for Preschoolers

Picture a room filled with toddlers, each immersed in their own little world. One carefully stacks blocks while another child is fixated on finding the perfect clothes to dress their doll. From the view of an adult looking in, it might seem like these kids are each in their own little bubble of solitary place. […]

Blog, Child Development, childcare, Classroom ECE, Early Childhood Education

November 10, 2025

The Importance of Parallel Play in Child Development

How can educators design programming that truly reflects children’s interests, encourages exploration, and supports intentional learning? In this session — Inspired Learning: Montessori, Reggio, Emergent + ChildFriendly Unveiled — we explore how these educational philosophies intertwine to create powerful, child-centered environments. Watch the recording to discover actionable ways to enhance your program using intentional learning […]

Inspired Learning: Montessori, Reggio, and Emergent Approaches in Action

Blog, Lunch & Learn

October 31, 2025

Burnout among teachers and early childhood educators is very real. These professions, without proper support, often see high rates of fatigue and turnover, especially among daycare workers. There are many actions you can take, as an employer or supervisor, to help decrease the stress in your environment and support your employees. Here are some simple […]

Admin & Operators, Blog, professional development, training

October 18, 2025

How To Prevent Burnout in Child Care Educators 

prevent burnout in childcare educators

Imagine a classroom that’s less of a classroom and more of a little artist’s studio. Picture: kids with paint-splattered smocks, mats for rolling around, and shelves filled with natural items like pinecones, seashells, and colorful glass beads. This may sound like an artist’s dream or even a fairy tale scene, but it’s not. It’s often […]

Blog, childcare, Classroom ECE, Curriculum Development, Curriculum Planning, early childhood development, Early Childhood Education, early learning, teaching methods

October 8, 2025

Exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach for Daycare

Circle time is the heartbeat of any daycare routine. Gathering together in a circle acts as a communal gathering that fosters a sense of belonging and interaction. That being said, to keep this part of the day fun and exciting, circle time needs to be engaging and dynamic. Today we’re sharing some amazing interactive circle […]

Interactive Circle Time Activities

Blog, childcare, Classroom ECE, parenting

September 26, 2025

Autumn is a wonderland for the senses, especially for preschoolers. The crisp air, the vibrant colors, the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin spice wafting through the air… there is no better time to introduce new engaging activities to capture this beautiful season. Here are some wonderful and fun autumn sensory activities for preschoolers that will […]

Blog, childcare, Classroom ECE, creativity, parenting, seasonal activities

September 23, 2025

Fun Autumn Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

Recorded September 3, 2025 (11:30 AM MT). In this Lunch & Learn, pediatric occupational therapist Jennifer Collett (Sensory Integration & Child Development Specialist) shares practical, budget-friendly ways to support children’s self-regulation and sensory needs—without overhauling your whole program. Hosted by Krystal Churcher, this session covers how lighting, noise, and seating affect regulation; simple tools like […]

Blog, Lunch & Learn

September 4, 2025

Supporting Self-Regulation & Sensory Needs in the Classroom