If You Don’t Change the Structure, Nothing Will Change Next Year

Hey CEOs, This Is Your Coach, Dr. Andrea Dickerson.

Before we step into a new year and a new season of growth, I want to slow you down for just a moment and ask you a critical question:

Is your center running on systems…
or is it running on survival mode?

Because if your classrooms feel chaotic, your teachers are constantly asking questions, and your leadership team can’t seem to stay ahead of the day, I want you to hear this clearly:

That is not a teacher problem.
That is a systems problem.

And the good news?
Systems can be fixed.

Your Business Is Always Talking — Are You Listening?

Your childcare center communicates with you every single day through patterns:

Chaotic classrooms
Repeating issues
Inconsistent follow-through
Constant interruptions
Directors juggling too many demands
Fires that never seem to end

These are not personality flaws.
They are structural gaps.

For over 25 years, I’ve built and scaled multiple childcare locations, creating more than 300 operational systems along the way. What I know for sure is this:

When systems are clear, people win.
When systems are missing, everyone struggles.

Let’s talk about the core systems every childcare CEO must have in place before the new year.

System #1: Classroom Structure Is Non-Negotiable

An organized classroom does not happen by accident.

Classroom structure means setting a standard for everything, including:

The learning board
Classroom centers
Hand-washing procedures
Shelf layout and item placement
Furniture types (tables, chairs, shelves)

This isn’t about being controlling.
This is about creating flow.

When structure is clear:

Leaders can lead
Teachers can teach
Children can thrive

Most day-to-day classroom problems disappear when expectations are visible, consistent, and repeatable.

Structure is the foundation.

System #2: Admin Flow That Matches Real Life

Your administrative team cannot win if their days are reactive.

Admin flow is a Monday–Friday checklist that aligns with your company schedule and removes unnecessary chaos.

For example:

Enrollment tours should have a dedicated time block (like 9:00–11:00 a.m.)
Directors should not be trying to handle tours, transitions, breaks, call-outs, and emergencies all at once

When everything is “urgent,” nothing is effective.

A clear admin flow:

Protects leadership focus
Reduces overwhelm
Creates predictable outcomes

System #3: Director Expectations Must Be Written — Not Assumed

Your director cannot lead confidently if expectations live only in your head.

Every director needs:

A clear daily checklist
Defined responsibilities
Leadership expectations
A growth path, not a dead end

This includes an ascension plan outlining growth at:

90 days
120 days
1 year
2 years
3 years

Your director should be growing with you — not waiting on you.

When directors are developed intentionally, the organization moves forward instead of stalling.

System #4: KPI Rhythm — Data Has a Lane

If you want growth, you must decide what data actually matters.

That may include:

Enrollment numbers
Staff retention
Attendance
Operational consistency

Once you identify the KPIs, someone must own them daily.

KPIs don’t work if everyone watches them.
They work when someone is responsible for moving them.

These data lanes are critical to your success.

System #5: Communication Needs a Plan — Not Hallway Meetings

How your people communicate matters.

A strong organization has structured communication pipelines, including:

CEO communication
Leadership communication
On-site team communication
Auxiliary team communication

This means replacing:

Random hallway meetings
Inconsistent messaging
Last-minute instructions

With:

Daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly rhythms
Quarterly corporate trainings
Focused leadership instruction with your full attention

When communication is intentional, alignment follows.

If you’re ready to move from chaos to clarity, here are two resources to support you:

A Classroom Digital Bundle that includes:

Step-by-step video training
Editable workbooks
Amazon setup guides
Staff planning tools

Designed to transform every classroom into a structured, stress-free environment.

Learn New Systems Webinar (FREE)

In this free training, I teach childcare owners how to:

Streamline operations
Reduce daily chaos
Boost enrollment
Save time with the right systems

👉 Register at www.learnnewsystems.com

The Classroom Blueprint Systems: Your Scaling Solution

The Classroom Digital Bundle is your step-by-step framework to:

Organize every classroom for efficiency and clarity
Train teachers to follow one consistent standard
Duplicate successful practices across all locations

It’s the foundation that allows you to scale confidently, reduce chaos, and ensure consistency everywhere.

If your business has been sending signals through repeated challenges, operational headaches, or frustrated staff, this is the system you’ve been missing.

Ready to scale your childcare business without the overwhelm?
Click the link below to learn more and get started today.

Final Thoughts

I’ll leave you with this truth:

If you manage the child care business that you love,
you will love the child care business that you manage.

Systems make that possible.

Dr. Andrea Dickerson
Founder, CEO Jumpstart Systems