When Everything Happens at Once
Imagine you are a teacher at a child care center with a classroom full of three-year-olds. What do you picture?
Maybe one group of children is coloring at a table while another is playing with dolls and a dollhouse. So far, so good. You’ve got this.
In the corner, a little boy whose mother just helped him out of his coat clings tightly to her as she backs toward the door. His eyes fill with tears. He wraps himself around her legs, begging her not to leave. Okay, tricky, but you can probably reassure him and redirect him to the trains.
At the same time, you notice a child at the coloring table has climbed on top of it and is preparing to jump. You scoop him up and set him back on the floor as you move toward the trains. He immediately begins wailing and kicking. The boy at the door is now fully crying too.
Then you see two little girls pulling a stuffed monkey back and forth, shouting, “It’s my turn!” Their voices rise. Now they are both crying.
It feels like your classroom is falling apart, and it’s only 8 a.m.
Support That Makes a Difference
Working with young children means navigating moments like these every day. When one or more children are also struggling with social, emotional, or behavioral challenges, those moments can stack up quickly.
Child Care Consultation services, provided by PEP’s Early Childhood Plus team, help teachers, parents, and caregivers build the skills needed to support children’s healthy development. For classrooms like the one above, that support can make all the difference.
Gina Niro, an early childhood consultant with PEP, partners with All Around Children in Woodland, providing Child Care Consultation services. Like most centers, the teachers at All Around Children are fully engaged throughout the day, leaving little time to step back and reflect. When challenges arise, it can feel like moving from one crisis to the next.
Gina works alongside teachers in real time.
“In my role, I often step into the daily rhythm of the classroom, joining circle time, modeling social skills, supporting peer interactions, and assisting with routines,” she says. “These moments allow for meaningful observation and learning.”
But the work does not stop there.
Gina credits the center’s director, Quin Anderson, for helping make the consultation effective. He prioritizes time for staff to reflect on what they are seeing, share insights, and talk through strategies together. That time, while hard to carve out, makes a lasting difference.
“He strengthens relationships in the building, builds staff confidence, and creates a culture where people are always learning,” Gina says.
Over time, she has seen staff grow more comfortable and more consistent in how they respond to children’s needs.
“I am continually encouraged to see staff implement strategies we have discussed and use shared resources with intention and confidence,” she says. “They are responsive, reflective, and eager to keep learning.”
For Quin, the impact goes beyond the classroom.
“This partnership is more than just a service connection. It’s an investment in our community’s future. Together, we are building capacity, supporting early intervention, and strengthening the social emotional development of young children during the most formative years of their lives,” he says.
A Different Kind of Morning
Now, picture that classroom again.
The room is still busy. The energy is still there. But it feels more manageable.
The teacher greets the child at the door and helps him settle in with a familiar routine. He is still a little unsure, but he moves toward the train table with support instead of panic.
At the art table, children know what is expected. When one starts to climb, the teacher redirects him before it escalates. He is frustrated, but instead of a full meltdown, he is guided through the moment.
Across the room, the two girls still want the same toy. This time, with help, they take turns. It is not perfect, but it does not fall apart.
There are still hard moments. That hasn’t changed. The difference is in how those moments are handled. Teachers have clearer strategies and more confidence. They’re working together and responding more consistently. Classrooms feel more under control.
Learn More
To learn more about Child Care Consultation with PEP Early Childhood Plus - a free service for child care centers - contact Jim Flynn, director, Early Childhood Plus, at 216-361-7760 ext. 142 or via email.
Story submitted by Gina Niro, PEP Early Childhood Plus, Consultant/Trainer