In early March, I had the joy of returning to an organization close to my heart: the Georgia Preschool Association, founded in 1958 to promote quality care and education for children eight years old and younger across the state. I began my career in Christian education as a preschool teacher, then a preschool director. These are my people! From 2004–2010, I had the privilege of serving on their board. So when they invited me back to lead a 90-minute workshop for preschool directors at their annual conference in Marietta, Georgia, my answer was an enthusiastic, “Yes!”

The room was filled with leaders serving children in many kinds of preschool settings. Not all were faith-based organizations, but most were. I shared something right up front so they would understand where I was coming from:

“I’m a professional Christian educator, which means I filter how I believe, live, and lead through a Biblical worldview.”

Our workshop title was Branding, Bridges, and Biblical Vision—three simple ideas drawn from timeless Christian practices that can guide anyone leading those who lead young children.

Along the way, I built in “chat among yourselves” moments after each section. Directors leaned in, compared notes, and shared what was working in their own communities.

Branding: Knowing Who You Are

For Christian preschools, the Apostles’ Creed offers a beautiful outline of what we believe.

Branding simply means intentionally shaping an organization’s identity so others can clearly see who you are and what you value. It gives identity clarity.

Families rarely learn your values from a brochure. They learn them from their experiences.

If your sign says church along the roadside, how long would it take someone walking through the preschool hallway to know they’re in a Christian preschool?

Clear communication of mission can happen:

  • At the beginning of the year – playground meet-ups, handbook gatherings, interactive photo booths
  • Throughout the year – serving together, sharing meals, blessing families in missional ways
  • At the end of the year – celebrating milestones, recognizing staff and students

Branding lives in the small, repeatable actions—how milestones are marked, how families are prayed for, how stories are shared.

Strong finishes lead to strong beginnings.

Bridges: Protecting Relationships

The Ten Commandments remind us how God’s people are meant to treat one another and the priority of relationships.

Most early childhood centers and weekday preschools hosted by churches share spaces with the congregation. When preschools and churches thrive together, it’s usually because trust has been intentionally built and protected. After all, shared spaces require shared relationships and all spaces in a local church are shared spaces.

That means:

  • asking and answering honest questions
  • giving the benefit of the doubt; not living on the defensive
  • entering conversations with collaboration instead of negotiation
  • honoring one another as brothers and sisters in Christ; believing the very best of one another; modeling a Christian family with shared values and mission

Preschool directors are uniquely positioned to nurture this shared life. Simple practices go a long way: shared prayer times, family nights, ministry partnerships beyond fundraisers, and even testimony moments where people share stories of God’s goodness.

One director once gave me, the kidmin lead, the same preschool staff t-shirt she gave her team each year. It was a small gesture—but it told me we were in this ministry to families together.

Healthy communication prevents resentment and builds mutual respect. People flourish where they feel valued.

For new staff coming from school systems, shared-space ministry may be unfamiliar. That’s why these values must be part of the onboarding process with continual reminders to the paid preschool staff that the servant leaders who lead in shared spaces are supporting the preschool as a ministry of the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We are in this together!

Biblical Vision: Remembering Why We Exist

The Lord’s Prayer models a daily rhythm of conversation with God and regular reminder of priorities and positions.

Historically, churches launched weekday preschools in the 1950s and 60s to provide nurturing education in a Christian environment, meet growing childcare needs, and reach young families with the gospel. That mission is still alive today.

What leaders repeat eventually becomes the culture.

A director’s Biblical vision answers a simple but powerful question: Why does our preschool exist in light of God’s Word?

That vision shows up everywhere—in photos on the walls, hallway signage, staff shirts, classroom symbols, and the common language people use every day.

A Final Encouragement

As our time wrapped up, I reminded these directors that their work matters deeply.

They are vision-keepers, great-idea-holders, and culture-shapers every single day.

Clarity builds confidence.
Consistency builds trust.
Faithfulness builds legacy.
Lead with intention—and watch what God does through disciple-maker leadership leading those who love littles to Jesus in your organization.

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17