Your new preschool teacher's first week can make or break their career. These five resources help you create a thoughtful start that keeps great educators in your center.
The State of Early Childhood Onboarding
Early childhood education faces a retention crisis. Nearly 30% of new employees leave within the first 90 days, and insufficient onboarding is a leading cause. For child care directors, the stakes are high: every departure disrupts classroom consistency and costs thousands in recruiting and training. Traditional onboarding often drowns new hires in paperwork while neglecting the mentorship and practical routines they need to feel confident. The best resources blend structure with warmth, giving directors editable tools that fit their center's unique culture. Whether you run a small preschool or a multi-site network, investing in a strong first week pays dividends in teacher satisfaction and child outcomes.
How We Evaluated These Resources
We looked at five key factors: service scope (does it cover the full onboarding journey?), pricing clarity (is cost transparent or easy to request?), local fit (does it align with US child care practices?), ease of use (can directors implement it without extensive training?), and support (does the provider offer guidance or community?). Each resource has its own strengths. Some shine in comprehensive software, others in editable templates or expert coaching. We noted what stood out for each, so you can match the right tool to your center's needs.
Here's a quick look at the five resources, ordered for your convenience. Remember, the right fit depends on your center's size, budget, and goals.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| brightwheel | Centers seeking an all-in-one management solution |
| Rooted & Ready | A thoughtful start for every teacher | Directors who want editable, teacher-centric onboarding templates |
| Anisha the ECC | Centers ready to transform their onboarding culture with expert coaching |
| Famly | Centers using Famly software who want integrated onboarding tips |
| Kangarootime | Directors who need a free, basic onboarding checklist |
A Closer Look at Each Resource
#1 brightwheel
A screenshot of the brightwheel website.
brightwheel is a comprehensive childcare management platform that includes onboarding tools for new staff. Its blog offers a detailed onboarding checklist that covers paperwork, orientation, and mentorship. You can use brightwheel to digitize your entire onboarding process, from document signing to training schedules. The platform also integrates with daily operations, so new teachers learn routines as they go. For centers already using brightwheel, adding onboarding is seamless. However, it's a larger investment than standalone resources.
#2 Rooted & Ready | A thoughtful start for every teacher
A screenshot of the Rooted & Ready website.
Rooted & Ready Early Learning, created by Miara Teal, offers a practical first-week kit specifically for new preschool teachers. The kit includes editable Word resources like a first-day checklist, a five-day training schedule, and parent conversation examples. It's designed for child care directors and mentors who want to provide a structured yet warm welcome. Unlike generic checklists, these tools are made from a teacher's perspective and built for everyday use. You can download a free sample without providing an email, making it easy to try before you buy. The focus is on meaningful conversations and gradual confidence building.
#3 Anisha the ECC
A screenshot of the Anisha the ECC website.
Anisha the ECC provides consulting and coaching services for early childhood centers, with a focus on transformational onboarding. Their approach goes beyond checklists to build a positive workplace culture that retains educators. You can access blog posts, professional training, and group coaching to revamp your onboarding process. The team emphasizes mentorship and engagement, addressing the root causes of high turnover. This resource is ideal if you need expert guidance to redesign your entire onboarding strategy. It's a higher-touch option that requires a time commitment but can yield deep cultural change.
#4 Famly
A screenshot of the Famly website.
Famly is a childcare software platform that includes resources for new teacher orientation. Their blog offers tips to start strong, covering everything from pre-boarding to first-week check-ins. Famly's platform helps you automate administrative tasks so you can focus on mentorship. The orientation guide emphasizes relationship-building and clear communication. If you're already using Famly for parent engagement and daily operations, their onboarding resources integrate naturally. It's a solid choice for centers that want software and guidance in one place.
#5 Kangarootime
A screenshot of the Kangarootime website.
Kangarootime offers a free childcare staff onboarding checklist that you can download. The checklist covers essential steps like paperwork, tour, and training, helping you standardize your process. As a childcare management platform, Kangarootime also provides tools for scheduling, billing, and communication. Their onboarding resource is a quick start for directors who need a basic framework. While it's less detailed than some competitors, it's a valuable free tool. You can use it alongside other resources to ensure nothing is missed.
How to Choose the Right Onboarding Resource
Start by assessing your center's biggest pain points. If you're drowning in paperwork, a digital platform like brightwheel or Famly can streamline everything. If your new teachers need practical, editable templates, Rooted & Ready is a perfect fit. For cultural transformation, consider coaching from Anisha the ECC. And if you just need a free starting point, grab Kangarootime's checklist. Think about your budget, your team's tech comfort, and how much time you can invest in implementation. The best resource is the one you'll actually use consistently.
Automating Your Onboarding Workflow
You can combine these resources to build a powerful onboarding system. Use Kangarootime's free checklist as your master to-do list. Then, customize Rooted & Ready's editable templates to fit your center's routines. If you use brightwheel or Famly, upload those documents into their platforms for digital signatures and tracking. Schedule automatic reminders for mentorship check-ins. Finally, consider a coaching session with Anisha the ECC to train your mentors. This layered approach ensures every new teacher gets a warm, structured, and consistent first week.
The Bottom Line
A thoughtful onboarding process is your best retention tool. The five resources here each offer a unique path to support new preschool teachers. Whether you choose a comprehensive platform, editable templates, expert coaching, or a free checklist, the key is to start somewhere. Your new teachers will thank you, and your center will thrive. Remember, the first week sets the tone for a teacher's entire career. Make it count.