McCormick Institute for Early Childhood

What is “Family Engagement”? Early childhood program administrators often hear that they should “engage” families in order to best meet the needs of children and ensure understanding of their programming. 🔗 Learn more: buff.ly/X90UR4q

⭐️McCormick Institute team members are attending the @IndianaAEYC Indiana Early Childhood Conference⭐️ In addition to presenting several sessions, the McCormick Institute has a booth in the exhibit hall. Stop by and say hi if you're attending the conference!

Leadership Connections is 15 days away! Our 25th annual conference, May 27-29, in Schaumburg, IL, is almost here. Three days of interactive sessions, inspiring keynotes, and connection with ECEC leaders from across the country. Are you registered? mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/leadership-con…

What's bringing YOU to Leadership Connections this year? Whether it's networking, valuable leadership resources, or inspiration, we're excited to see you soon at our conference for early childhood leaders, May 27-29, 2026, in Schaumburg, IL. 🔗buff.ly/w5RlJTi

A large, multi-day conference can be both eye-opening and exhausting. It benefits educators to come in open to possibilities and with a plan. This guide will provide concrete steps and reflection questions to help you prepare for your next conference. 🔗 buff.ly/W2XdVz7

Illinois Early Childhood Leaders! Did you know Aim4Excellence can help you earn points toward your Illinois Director Credential AND you may be eligible for a scholarship to cover the cost of modules for college credit? 🎓 Learn more about Aim4Excellence: buff.ly/kjtvFCo

We're excited to present our 2026 Hometown Hero Award to Shauna Ejeh (@IAFC_Cares) at the upcoming Leadership Connections conference! Join her and hundreds of ECEC leaders at Leadership Connections, May 27-29 in Schaumburg, IL: mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/leadership-con…

Our latest Research Note examines the effectiveness of an intensive leadership academy designed to strengthen Family Child Care professionals’ business knowledge, leadership capacity, and program stability. 🔗 Read more: buff.ly/iq1FO2p

The 12th cohort of Taking the Lead, our 9-month leadership academy for family child care professionals, met for its final session on Saturday. Participants presented how they used quality improvement grants to make impactful changes to their businesses. mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/taking-the-lead

"Welcoming Gen Z: What is the Secret Sauce?", an article by Dr. Jane Humphries, the McCormick Institute's Director of Aim4Excellence, and Steffenie Moran, Manager at the Goddard School, was recently published by @ExchangePress. Read the full article: hub.exchangepress.com/articles-on-de…

Congratulations to Dr. Teri Talan on her extraordinary contributions to early childhood education and care. At Leadership Connections 2026, Dr. Talan will receive the Visionary Leader Award, and the Public Policy Forum has been renamed in her honor. 👉️ buff.ly/zCi7Vw3

Child Care directors carry a full plate, which is why flexible professional learning makes such a difference. Aim4Excellence offers engaging online modules that help directors learn, reflect, and apply new strategies within their own settings. 🔗 buff.ly/RgiJFsK

60+ sessions. Keynotes. Workshops. All built for early childhood leaders. Join hundreds of ECEC leaders at Leadership Connections, May 27–29, 2026, in Schaumburg, IL. mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/leadership-con… #LC2026 #LeadershipConnections

AI can give you more time, streamline your workflow, help you set up sustainable systems, and ultimately make you a stronger leader. Read on for simple steps to get started with using AI as an early childhood administrator. 🔗 buff.ly/i3rQZtx

Leslie Layman and Xiaoli Wen are representing the McCormick Institute this week at the @WorldForumECE 2026 World Forum on Early Care and Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one of the premier global gatherings of early childhood professionals and advocates.

We’re excited to share that Iris Corral and Barb Volpe from the McCormick Institute’s Professional Learning team will present at the @IndianaAEYC Early Childhood Conference in Indianapolis, IN, May 15 - 16, 2026!

Shadeen Holmes was the 2025 Paula Jorde Bloom scholarship recipient. She shared her experience attending the 2025 Leadership Connections conference. Check out her full story on our website: mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/rising-leader-… #LeadershipConnections #LC2026

We’re excited to share that Professional Learning Team members Jessica Iandola, Elizabeth Martel, and Marissa Javier will present at the 2026 @IndianaAEYC Early Childhood Conference in Indianapolis, IN, May 15 - 16, 2026!

Please join us in congratulating Jaclyn Stanton on her new role as the City of Chicago Quality Assessment Team Supervisor! Prior to moving into this supervisory role, Jaclyn worked as an Assessor & Training Specialist on our City of Chicago Assessment Team.

In early childhood programs, we often encounter staff and families from many different backgrounds, which enriches our programs. However, sometimes assumptions about one’s background can unintentionally create discomfort. 🔗 mccormickinstitute.nl.edu/the-power-of-p…