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The 2026 Ohio Early Childhood Conference
Leadership Retreat: Empowering Leaders to Build Effective Programs for Young Children
An empowering experience for experienced and emerging leaders
For registered attendees of The Ohio Early Childhood Conference
Only $60 | Thursday, April 23, 2026
Featuring Leadership Expert Susan MacDonald
Includes 4.5 hours of OhioApproved Credit!
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In the dynamic and ever-evolving field of early childhood education, leadership presents both inspiring opportunities and complex challenges. Our Early Childhood Leadership Retreat will empower you with the skills, insights, and connections needed to lead with clarity, purpose, and lasting impact.
This retreat offers you the chance to step away from daily demands and immerse yourself in a supportive environment dedicated to reflection, collaboration, and growth. Through expert-led workshops, engaging discussions, individual reflections, and peer networking, you will connect with a community of resilient and innovative leaders and be inspired to bring fresh energy to your leadership work.
By the end of the retreat, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for fostering strong relationships and creating a positive, respectful, and supportive environment for both children and adults.
SCHEDULE
Part 1: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Supervise with Confidence: Using Your Teacher Skills to Guide Adults
What if the key to supervising adults isn’t learning something new—but using what you already know? This session reveals how the same practices you use to guide children—building relationships, setting clear expectations, redirecting behavior, and encouraging self-sufficiency—are the foundation for effective staff supervision. Discover how to communicate clear expectations, build on the skills and talents of each employee, and eliminate the barriers that keep staff from succeeding. Explore how coaching using honest communication and providing meaningful support will help to create a culture that encourages new ideas and allows for mistakes.
You’ll leave ready to set the tone for trust and open communication, delegate effectively, and supervise with confidence.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Keynote Address: Rachel Giannini
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch (Included)
Part 2: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Good Enough Never is: The Benefits and Challenges of Change
What if “the way we’ve always done it” is the very thing holding your program back? In this session, you’ll explore how a positive attitude, flexibility, and openness to growth are the keys to continuous improvement in your early childhood program. Discover how to move beyond grumbling and burnout, build on what’s already working, and approach every task as an improvable skill. Identify practical ways to seek feedback, push through learning ruts, and create a mindset where change feels energizing (or at least manageable) instead of overwhelming.
You’ll leave ready to step out of your comfort zone, embrace new ideas, and prove that in your program, good enough never is.
Part 3: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
10 Steps to a Winning Team: Positive Staff Relations
A supportive work environment doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when staff members choose to be respectful, encouraging, and professional with one another every day. This session identifies ten simple, yet powerful steps to cultivating a cohesive and high-performing workplace culture. Explore how avoiding gossip, communicating directly, sharing resources, showing initiative, and participating in professional development strengthens your entire team. Discover how small daily actions—being organized, prepared, and willing to help—make a big difference in staff morale and collaboration.
You’ll leave with practical steps to help make your “work family” terrific and build a winning team.