Donna Denette shares the challenges of early childhood directors

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

That’s what Donna Denette wants everyone to understand about the directors of early childhood programs, who continuously devote energy to everyone but themselves. 

Denette, the executive director of Children First Enterprises, Inc., in Granby, Mass., was featured last week on The 9:30 Call where she shared the results of a workplace survey she conducted that was filled out by 132 directors of center-based programs.

“In listening to other directors over the past four years,” Denette explains on the call, “I noticed that we often privately or anonymously share how much we’re struggling with a work/life balance and the demands of our jobs. As a group we’re typically ‘dig deep and get ’er done’ types who rarely let anyone see us sweat.

“We very naturally advocate for the teachers, children, and families to whom we dedicate so much. We rarely advocate strictly for ourselves.”

As the initial survey results show, however, this approach isn’t sustainable.

Among the survey quotes:

“I feel frustrated, exhausted, defeated.” 

“I’m exhausted. My health is declining.”

“[I’m] the Owner/Director/Teacher/ Cook.”

Fortunately, Denette explains, directors have an opportunity to “further strengthen the long-term health of our field by sharing the challenges that program leadership uniquely face and ensure that we avoid a drain of leadership through retirement or leaving the field.”

We are only at the beginning of this important conversation. To learn more watch Denette’s presentation, which is posted above. 

And join us on The 9:30 Call this Wednesday when we’ll continue to focus on directors. We’ll share information about available resources and support groups. And we’ll think together about solutions that are needed at the local and state level.