Slowing down childcare: why Kaizen just makes sense 

If you’ve worked in early childhood education, you know what it’s like to move a million miles an hour. The days are full; nappy changes, transitions, mealtimes, incident reports, spontaneous play, intentional teaching, and somewhere in there, you’re supposed to breathe and reflect too. It’s a lot. 

Somewhere amid that rushing, we lose something. We lose the quiet moments, the deep connections, the sense of calm that helps children (and educators) feel safe. We’re constantly told to strive for “quality”, but quality doesn’t mean doing more. Sometimes, it means doing less with intention. That’s where Kaizen comes in. 

Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy that means “continuous improvement”. But it’s not about huge changes or expensive programs. It’s about the small stuff the tiny adjustments we make each day that slowly, but surely, shift the culture of our centre. It’s asking ourselves: What’s one thing we can do a little better today? Then doing that, consistently. 

Maybe it’s tweaking how we manage transitions so they’re calmer. Maybe it’s starting each shift with a quick team check-in. Maybe it’s creating a five-minute window in your routine where nothing is scheduled so there’s space to breathe or follow a child’s lead without pressure. These aren’t massive shifts. But when you’re on the floor every day, they feel huge. 

Kaizen reminds us that slowing down doesn’t mean we’re falling behind. It means we’re making space for better thinking, stronger relationships, and more meaningful experiences for the children, and for ourselves. It encourages a culture of reflection and growth without burnout. And in a sector where burnout is real, that matters. 

The truth is, we’re not going to improve early childhood education by running faster. We’re going to improve it by slowing down, being intentional, and building systems that support educators to grow over time sustainably. We need fewer quick fixes and more long-game thinking. Kaizen offers that framework.

Let’s stop wearing “busy” as a badge of honour. Let’s start celebrating small wins. Let’s create centre cultures that prioritise reflection over reaction, calm over chaos, and people over pressure. 

How to Start Using Kaizen in Your Centre 

Little changes = big impact 

In a Toyota factory, if someone spots a tool in the wrong place slowing people down, they just move it. No big meeting, no drama. Just a tiny shift that helps everything run smoother. The same principle works in our classrooms and environments. 

If transitions are always messy and full of tears, maybe we try something new like turning pack-away into a game instead of a rushed command, or having a visual timer that provides children  time to prepare. If sunscreen time always creates a bottleneck, maybe we switch it to small-group application during outdoor play. That one small change might shift the whole tone of the day. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about noticing what’s clunky and gently ironing it out. 

Everyone gets a say 

One of the best parts of Kaizen is that it doesn’t sit at the top. Educators on the floor, the ones actually living the experience get to share what’s working and what’s not. 

Maybe a casual staff member points out that the drink bottles always spill when children grab them from a low shelf, and they suggest a basket system. Maybe a float staff member notices the art trolley is always blocking the walkway and suggests a new spot. These aren’t earth-shattering ideas, but they make a real difference. When people feel safe to speak up and know their input is valued, the whole culture shifts from “top-down” to “team-led”. 

We reflect as we go 

Let’s be honest by the time tQIP review or staff meetings roll around we’ve already forgotten key insights (and frustrating) stuff that’s happened, Kaizen flips that. Instead of waiting for a big reflective moment, we embed quick, bite-sized check-ins throughout the week. 

Think five minutes at the end of a shift to ask:

• What felt really good today? 
• What made things harder than they needed to be? 
• Is there one thing we want to try differently tomorrow? 

You don’t need a template or clipboard just real talk as a team. It’s simple, low-pressure, and it builds a habit of continuous growth that builds a habit of continuous, meaningful growth.

Why It Works 

Kaizen slows us down in the best way. It takes the pressure off huge changes and reminds us that growth is gradual. It helps educators feel heard. It makes the room feel calmer. And it leads to more thoughtful, connected practice without the burnout. 

So next time you feel overwhelmed by “quality improvement”, try zooming in instead of out. What’s one thing you could change this week that would make your day run smoother? 

That’s Kaizen. And honestly, it just makes sense.

To read more about Kaizen visit here.

Jade has worked in the early childhood profession for over 16 years and holds a diploma in children’s services. Jade has managed multiple childcare services and is currently the compliance and best practice specialist at Z Staffing.