Resources for early childhood educators: classroom practice, behavior, certification and pay, plus the policy and business news that affects your program.
From our publisher · Now hiring
Teach at Treehouse Learning Center
Teachers and assistants for infant, toddler, preschool and after-school classrooms in Lynn, Massachusetts. Inclusive classrooms with OT, PT and speech therapy built into the program.
Treehouse Learning Center publishes this site. We plan to add a job board for programs across Massachusetts.
Teaching
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15 things preschool teachers keep reordering (and you can use at home)
We pulled two years of our own classroom purchase records. These are the art, science and fine-motor supplies teachers buy again and again.
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Biting, hitting and defiance in the classroom: What actually works
A teacher’s playbook for biting, hitting and defiance: prevent with routines, teach replacement skills, respond fast, document, and avoid suspensions.
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How to talk to parents about a behavior or development concern
A teacher’s script for raising a delay or behavior concern: what to prep, what to say and avoid, using interpreters, and how to suggest…
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Play-based lesson ideas: 15 low-cost activities from birth to 5
Fifteen play-based lesson ideas for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, tied to Massachusetts guidelines, with quick ways to adapt each for every child.
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Cut paperwork time: What Massachusetts licensing actually requires
Drowning in forms? See which records Massachusetts licensing really requires, then cut the rest with templates, quick jottings and set paperwork time.
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Autism, speech delays and IEPs in your classroom: A teacher’s playbook
IFSPs, IEPs, picture schedules and AAC, made simple. How to support kids with autism or speech delays in class, plus the Massachusetts inclusion rules.
Careers & certification
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How to become an EEC lead teacher in Massachusetts, step by step
Age 21, 12 credits or a CDA, and 9 to 36 months of experience. Here’s how to become an EEC-certified lead teacher in Massachusetts,…
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Is a CDA worth it in Massachusetts? Cost, rules and what it unlocks
What a CDA costs, how long it takes and what it counts for in Massachusetts, from EEC certification to hiring and Head Start. Plus…
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Early childhood teacher pay in Massachusetts: 5 ways to earn more
New 2025 pay data for Massachusetts early educators, why public pre-K pays more, and five concrete ways to raise your pay, with state help…
Director’s desk
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Recruit and keep early childhood teachers: A Massachusetts playbook
Where Massachusetts directors find qualified early educators, how to grow them into lead teachers, and the retention moves and state aid that keep them.
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Keep enrollment full when families can’t pay: 8 moves for directors
Empty seats and families who can’t pay? Eight moves for Massachusetts directors: vouchers, C3, pre-K partnerships, flexible pricing and a smarter waitlist.
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Massachusetts childcare ratios: The rules for every age group
Massachusetts requires 1 educator per 3 infants, 1 per 4 toddlers and 1 per 10 preschoolers, plus group caps. The full rules and the…
Popular resources for early childhood educators
- Biting, hitting and defiance in the classroom: what works
- How to talk to parents about a concern
- Autism, speech delays and IEPs in your classroom
- Play-based lesson ideas from birth to 5
- How to become an EEC lead teacher
- Is a CDA worth it in Massachusetts?
Each guide is practical, cites its sources and is short enough to read on a break. So you can share it with a co-teacher or a parent with confidence.
Classroom behavior and inclusion
Hard moments are part of every classroom. For example, a toddler bites, or a preschooler refuses to clean up. Our behavior guides give you calm, simple steps that work. In addition, our inclusion guides explain how to support children with IEPs and IFSPs alongside their classmates.
Certification and career growth
Are you working toward your first EEC certification or your next raise? Either way, start with the requirements from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Then read our guide to earning more as an early childhood teacher. If you feel worn down, our guide to teacher burnout can help.
For directors and owners
Running a program? Our Director’s desk covers ratios, licensing paperwork, staffing and enrollment. Visit the Director’s desk for every guide.