One Small Change That Can Improve Your Program This Year

Big improvements rarely come from big overhauls. They come from small changes that reduce friction.

Behavioral science research shows that small, repeatable changes are far more likely to stick than major shifts. James Clear’s work on habit formation highlights that systems matter more than motivation.🔗

Where Small Changes Matter Most

In child care, the highest-impact areas are often:

• Transitions

• Communication

• Documentation

• End-of-day routines

Example

One provider noticed families asked the same questions daily. She created a short weekly update with reminders and upcoming dates. Communication improved, interruptions dropped, and families felt more informed — without extra work.

Try This

Ask yourself:

“What’s one thing that creates daily friction?”Then adjust only that.

Small changes compound.