I recently got the opportunity to sit down with Taylor Hall, the Director for Vail Child Care Center. She shared with me that her journey in early childhood education began when she noticed a job opening for a preschool teacher. Drawn to working with young children, she decided to take the leap, and it has shaped her career ever since. Starting as a preschool teacher for a year, she then spent two years working with infants, followed by a role as an assistant director for a year. Now, as the director of the center for the past few months, Taylor reflects on how these experiences have influenced her approach to leadership and the joy she finds in her work.
For Taylor, the best part of her job is the happiness the children bring. "This job has completely changed my perspective," she says, describing how it has taught her to view the world from a preschooler’s eyes. The daily interactions with children, their curiosity, and the pure joy they express continually remind her of the importance of her work. These moments have made her role deeply fulfilling, inspiring her to create an environment where both children and teachers thrive.
However, the challenges of being a director are not lost on her. One of the most difficult aspects is maintaining consistency across the school. Whether it’s securing funding, managing the children’s environments, or maintaining open communication with parents, ensuring stability is a constant balancing act. Taylor also emphasizes the importance of holding herself and her staff to high standards. "There are always ebbs and flows in this job," she notes, acknowledging the ever-changing nature of working in early childhood education that can make it difficult to remain consistent. Her experience as a teacher has given her a deep empathy for her staff, which she tries to bring to her leadership role and how she manages her team.
One of the things Taylor is most excited about is a new child care center opening in Minturn. The collaboration between the Vail and Miller Ranch locations has been strong, and the addition of the Minturn center will only strengthen their network. Taylor is eager to foster teamwork and continue building supportive relationships among staff. With the executive director preparing for maternity leave, she’s also looking forward to new growth opportunities as she takes on more responsibilities.
Taylor and the executive director have worked hard to create a positive and supportive environment at the preschool. Together, they’ve built strong relationships between teachers, children, and parents, while also reworking the budget to raise wages for staff. This focus on advocacy, both at the county and state levels, has resulted in better retention of teachers, which was a challenge when Taylor first started. She applauds the work Eagle County has put into early childhood teacher and administration retention, including providing stipends and housing. The administrative team is now in a great place, with strong bonds between everyone involved, which she says is contributing to a more stable and nurturing learning environment.
Looking forward, Taylor believes deeply in the importance of investing in early childhood education. "Early childhood, from 0-5 years old, is one of the most critical times to shape young minds," she explains. By investing in skilled teachers and creative learning experiences, communities set the foundation for children’s future success. Additionally, robust early childhood programs provide much-needed support for working families, offering peace of mind knowing their young ones are in good hands. Taylor sees the long waitlists for childcare in Eagle County as a testament to the demand for these resources, and believes that investing in early education will pay off in the long term.
For anyone considering a career in early childhood education, Taylor’s advice is simple: "You get out of it as much as you put into it." But more than anything, she emphasizes that the rewards of the job are in the bonds formed with the children. If someone doesn’t truly love working with kids, early childhood education might not be the right fit. It’s not about the paycheck; it’s about the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a child’s life by setting them up for success.
In her free time, Taylor enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and her beloved cat, Stevie, to recharge and find balance. While working in childcare is incredibly rewarding, it can also be demanding. That's why Taylor is a strong advocate for self-care, encouraging her team to prioritize their own well-being. She believes that when they take time for themselves, they’re better equipped to provide the best possible care for the children and families of Eagle County
Thank you Taylor and the teams at all of our wonderful child care centers. The work you do is invaluable!
-Jo Pennock, Marketing and Events Manager
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