The end of the year is a meaningful time in any early childhood service. It's a time for reflection, celebration, transition — and, for many educators, a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. Here are some tips to help you close out the year well and set yourself up for a strong start to the new one.
Celebrate what you've achieved
It can be easy to move from one busy season to the next without pausing to acknowledge how much has been accomplished. Take time to celebrate — with your team, with families, and with the children.
- Hold a small end-of-year celebration with your team to acknowledge the year's achievements.
- Share a 'year in review' with families — highlight moments, milestones, and memories.
- Create a simple display or digital slideshow of children's learning across the year.
Support children through transitions
For many children, the end of the year brings significant transitions — moving to school, moving rooms, or saying goodbye to educators and friends they've grown close to. How you support these transitions matters.
- Acknowledge the transition openly with children — it's okay to talk about feelings of sadness, excitement, or uncertainty.
- Create transition books or keepsakes that children can take with them.
- Ensure warm handovers between educators and receiving schools or services.
- Give children opportunities to say goodbye in meaningful ways.
Support your team
The end of the year can be emotionally and physically demanding. As a leader, pay attention to how your team is doing.
- Check in individually with each educator — how are they feeling? What do they need?
- Acknowledge their hard work specifically and genuinely.
- Where possible, build in some breathing space before the new year begins.
- Encourage rest — model it yourself.
Wrap up your documentation
Before the year ends, make sure your documentation is in order.
- Ensure all required documentation is completed and stored correctly.
- Archive records for children who are leaving your service.
- Write end-of-year summaries or transition statements for children moving to school.
- Review your documentation practices — what worked well? What would you like to change?
Plan for the new year
Use the end of year as an opportunity to think ahead with intention.
- Reflect on the year: what were your highlights? Your challenges? Your learnings?
- Set two or three priorities for the new year — not a long list, just a focused few.
- Talk to your team about what they're hoping for in the new year.
- Review your systems and processes — what's working well and what needs attention?
Take care of yourself
You cannot pour from an empty cup. The end of the year is a time to rest and restore, so you can return in the new year with energy and purpose.
- Plan some genuine downtime — time away from work, screens, and responsibilities.
- Reflect on your own year: what are you proud of? What have you learned?
- Think about what you need to thrive in the year ahead — and take steps to make that happen.
We wish you a joyful, restful end of year. Thank you for the extraordinary work you do.
