A Preschool Teacher, A Director, and a Whole Lot of Truth: What You’ll Love About 98 Things

98 Things Your Childcare Teacher Wants You to Know is not your average parenting book. It is a collaborative, candid, and deeply insightful project created by three preschool directors with more than 100 years of combined experience in early childhood education. At the heart of it are Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey — two powerhouse advocates for children, families, and educators who joined forces with a team of fellow directors to speak honestly about what really goes on in early childhood classrooms.

This book is not written from an ivory tower or a policy platform. It comes straight from the classroom floor, the director’s office, and the teacher breakroom. It is full of humor, heart, and hard truths — the kinds of things your child’s teacher wishes they could tell you during pickup, but usually holds back out of professionalism (or time).

Each of the 98 entries reflects something important that parents need to know, from the very practical (“label everything” and “send two sets of extra clothes”) to the deeply emotional (“please don’t stay too long at drop-off” and “teachers quit because of parents, not kids”). The book is raw and real, but never judgmental. It invites parents to see the world through the eyes of educators and to better understand how children grow, learn, and behave when you are not around.

What sets this book apart is that it truly reflects multiple perspectives. Carrie and Kate are not just longtime directors — they are also mentors, trainers, and systems-thinkers who have spent decades supporting other educators and advocating for better communication between families and schools. Their voices bring a director’s lens to the daily experiences of teachers, showing how classroom challenges often reflect bigger system-level issues.

The format of the book is what makes it so readable. It is not meant to be consumed in one sitting. Instead, readers can flip through, find something that resonates (or surprises them), and take it in. Each “thing” is short and punchy, making it easy to reflect on a single truth at a time. Parents will find themselves saying, “Oh, that’s totally me,” or, “Wow, I never thought of it that way.”

At the end of the book, there’s a final section — a powerful list of 8 things that the childcare director wants you to know. These entries add context and depth, reminding readers that behind every amazing teacher is a director trying to keep the program running smoothly, support their team, and still get home to their own families.

One of the book’s most refreshing features is its tone. It’s not preachy. It’s personal. It’s honest without being harsh. And it is clearly written by people who love children and deeply respect parents — even when they are gently calling them out. There is a real sense of partnership here, and a call to action: to work together so children get the best possible care.

Whether you are a new parent searching for your first preschool or a seasoned veteran of daycare drop-off, 98 Things will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and walk away with new appreciation for the people caring for your child every day.

It is a love letter to early childhood education — the kind that pulls back the curtain and says, “Let us show you what we see.” And once you’ve read it, you will never look at morning drop-off or snack-time tantrums the same way again.