So You’re on a Preschool Board, Now What?

5 Ways to Lead with Confidence and Heart

Whether you’re a new board member or a seasoned volunteer, serving on a preschool board is a powerful opportunity to shape young learners' experiences, support dedicated educators, and strengthen your community. But let’s be honest—being a board member can also come with questions, responsibilities, and the occasional uncertainty about what exactly you should be doing.

Here are five practical ways you can show up, contribute meaningfully, and feel confident in your role as a preschool board member:

1. Understand Your Role

Start by learning the basic responsibilities of the board. While every preschool is different, most boards:

• Set and review school policies

• Approve the annual budget

• Hire and support the director

• Ensure the program aligns with its mission and values

• Help with long-term planning and fundraising

If you haven’t already, review your school’s bylaws. They’re your roadmap for how the board operates and makes decisions.

Helpful resource: Try our Guide to Writing Preschool Bylaws or participate in Getting the Board on Baord Training to better understand the structure and function of your board.

2. Support the Director, Don’t Manage the School

Your job is to govern, not to manage day-to-day operations. That’s the director’s job. Think of your role as setting the compass, helping the school move in the right direction, not steering every decision.

Offer encouragement, ask thoughtful questions, and help remove barriers so the director can lead effectively. A strong board/director relationship built on trust and communication is gold.

3. Show Up and Stay Engaged

Consistent attendance at meetings is more than a formality, it shows respect for your fellow members and the staff who rely on your leadership. But showing up means more than being present, it means reading materials in advance, asking questions, offering ideas, and listening with care.

Can’t make a meeting? Let someone know. Need clarity on a topic? Ask. Engagement creates momentum.

4. Bring Your Skills, and Your Curiosity

Are you a whiz with numbers? A communications pro? A calm and thoughtful listener? Boards thrive when members contribute their natural strengths. But don’t worry if you’re not an expert in fundraising or policy, your curiosity, common sense, and commitment to kids matter most.

Ask: “What does our school need right now that I might be able to help with?”

5. Keep Kids at the Center

When in doubt, return to your core purpose: helping create a joyful, safe, and developmentally rich experience for young children. Whether you’re reviewing policies or balancing a budget, ask yourself, “How does this decision support our mission and serve the children and families in our care?”

Remember: You Belong Here

Many board members feel unsure at first. That’s normal! But your voice, your care, and your perspective matter deeply. You’re not just part of the board, you’re part of a team shaping a nurturing, vibrant place for young children to grow and learn.

Thank you for serving. Your leadership helps build a better preschool, and a stronger community.