Communication between parents and educators is widely recognized as a central component of quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). This communication becomes particularly significant in infant–toddler settings, where children are preverbal and parents depend largely on educators’ interpretations of children’s daily experiences, emotional states, and well-being. While existing research has primarily examined parent–teacher interactions, the perspectives of childcare center directors—who shape communication practices at the organizational level—have received limited attention. The present study aimed to explore how directors of infant–toddler childcare centers conceptualize, enact, and experience communication with parents, and how they navigate its emotional, relational, and leadership-related dimensions. A qualitative research design was employed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 directors of infant–toddler childcare centers. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The analysis revealed that directors view communication as a core leadership practice grounded in trust-building and partnership with parents. Communication was described as a layered process combining routine daily updates with intentional, in-depth conversations during sensitive situations. Directors emphasized the emotional labor involved in containing parental anxiety, managing conflict, setting boundaries, and mediating between parents and educational staff. The findings highlight directors’ central role in sustaining relational, emotionally responsive communication cultures in infant–toddler settings, including guiding and supporting caregivers’ daily interactions with parents. The study underscores the need for leadership preparation and professional development that explicitly address communication, emotional labor, and relational leadership in early childhood education.

Authors:
Asnat Dor, Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Asnat Dor is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel in Israel

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