Across Missouri, early childhood administrators are building their leadership skills, strengthening their programs and investing in the future of early childhood care.
Early childhood administrators play a critical role in the quality and stability of programs serving young children and their families. They are responsible for supporting staff, managing programs and resources, building relationships with families and responding to the complex challenges that come with operating an early childhood program.
Yet access to formal leadership education and professional development is not always readily available to those working in the early childhood field. Many administrators develop their leadership skills primarily through experience, often while managing programs with limited resources and administrative support.
The Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) Leadership Academies provide an opportunity for these leaders to intentionally invest in their professional development and strengthen the skills needed to lead successful early childhood programs.
Led by the UMKC Institute for Human Development’s Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC), in partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Childhood, MO-SECA represents a significant statewide investment in the leadership capacity of Missouri’s early childhood workforce.
The 2026 academies brought administrators together from across the state for a year-long professional learning experience focused on transformational leadership, business management and Whole Leadership practices. The series will conclude this weekend with the MO-SECA Graduate Academy in St. Louis, where participants who completed the full leadership journey will be recognized.
Building leadership capacity across Missouri
The 2026 MO-SECA Leadership Academies were designed as a connected statewide learning experience for early childhood administrators. Five regional academies were held in Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis, Branson and Cape Girardeau, with each academy addressing a different aspect of leadership development.
The academies included:
- Kansas City, MO — Foundations of Leadership: Every Hero’s Beginning
- Columbia, MO — The Power of Practice: Strengthening Leadership in Action
- St. Louis, MO — Teamwork & Alliance Building: Leading Through Collaboration
- Branson, MO — Resilience & Response: Leading Through Complexity and Change
- Cape Girardeau, MO — Impact & Legacy: Sustaining Excellence in Early Childhood Systems
Each academy offered up to 10 clock hours of professional development over two days. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops, action labs and reflective learning opportunities designed to connect leadership concepts to the day-to-day realities of operating an early childhood program.
The superhero-themed academies provided an engaging framework for exploring the qualities and skills required of effective leaders, while the underlying focus remained practical: helping administrators strengthen their ability to support staff, manage organizations, navigate challenges and contribute to stronger early childhood systems.
The reach of the 2026 academies reflects the continued demand for these opportunities. A total of 656 attendees participated across the five regional academies, including 228 first-time attendees—approximately 35% of total attendance.
Leadership through a Whole Leadership framework
MO-SECA is grounded in the Whole Leadership framework, which recognizes that effective early childhood leadership encompasses multiple, interconnected areas of practice:
- Administrative leadership
- Pedagogical leadership
- Family and community engagement leadership
Throughout the academy series, participants explored how these areas intersect in the daily work of leading an early childhood program. Learning experiences emphasized reflection, collaboration and practical application so that participants could take new strategies back to their own programs and communities.
The approach also recognizes that leadership development extends beyond acquiring technical skills. Effective leaders must be able to build relationships, support their teams, respond to change and create environments in which both children and adults can thrive.
An opportunity to invest in themselves
For many early childhood administrators, participating in MO-SECA represents a significant personal commitment to professional growth.
Unlike professional development opportunities that may be connected to a promotion, salary increase or other financial incentive, MO-SECA participants make a deliberate choice to dedicate their time and energy to becoming stronger leaders. The program provides an opportunity for administrators to pursue leadership development that may otherwise be difficult to access within the early childhood field.
That investment becomes particularly meaningful during the MO-SECA graduation ceremony.
In previous years, graduates have brought family members and loved ones to celebrate their accomplishments. The ceremony becomes an opportunity not only to recognize the completion of a professional learning experience, but also to acknowledge the personal growth, persistence and leadership represented by that achievement.
For participants who may not have had extensive opportunities for formal education or professional development, completing a leadership academy can be an important affirmation of their abilities and potential as professionals.
The ripple effect of investing in early childhood leaders
The benefits of leadership development extend beyond the administrators who participate.
Early childhood leaders influence the culture and stability of the programs they oversee. Their leadership affects how staff are supported, how teams work together, how families experience a program and how effectively organizations respond to challenges.
This influence is particularly important in a sector where many programs operate with limited resources and where the stability of child care programs can have consequences well beyond the individual center.
When a child care program closes, families may lose access to reliable, quality care in their community. The effects can also extend to employers and local economies when parents and caregivers struggle to find alternative care.
Supporting administrators with high-quality leadership development is one way to strengthen the programs they lead and contribute to the long-term stability and accessibility of early childhood care in Missouri.
In this sense, the impact of investing in early childhood leadership can extend well beyond a single administrator or program. Stronger leaders can support stronger teams, stronger programs and, ultimately, stronger experiences for children and families.
Celebrating a statewide community of leaders
The 2026 MO-SECA series will conclude with the Graduate Academy in St. Louis, bringing together graduates and alumni for advanced learning, reflection and connection.
A total of 109 graduates will be recognized for completing the full leadership journey. The gathering provides an opportunity for participants to reflect on their growth, celebrate their accomplishments and connect with other early childhood leaders from across the state.
The graduation also highlights an important aspect of the MO-SECA model: leadership development is both an individual and collective investment. As administrators build their own skills and confidence, they become part of a broader network of professionals working toward stronger early childhood programs and systems throughout Missouri.
This year’s graduating class brings the total all-time MO-SECA Graduates to 339 leaders bringing their skills back to their communities.
A growing investment in Missouri’s early childhood workforce
Since its launch, MO-SECA has supported more than 2,150 early childhood administrators across 1,189 Missouri early learning programs, helping to develop a statewide community of leaders committed to continuous learning, improvement and collaboration.
The 2026 academies continue that work through an intentional investment in the people responsible for leading early childhood programs every day.
The support of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Childhood reflects a recognition that strengthening early childhood systems requires investment in the workforce that sustains them. Administrators need access to high-quality leadership development, particularly in a field where the demands of running a program are substantial and resources are often limited.
By providing that opportunity, MO-SECA is helping early childhood administrators strengthen their own leadership capacity while also contributing to the quality, stability and sustainability of programs across the state.
The work is ongoing. As Missouri continues to invest in its early childhood system, developing and supporting the leaders who guide these programs will remain an important part of building a stronger future for children, families and communities.
The Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) program is made possible through the support of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Childhood and is implemented by the UMKC Institute for Human Development’s Early Childhood Innovation Center.
