In School Age Care, we often speak about the importance of building secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships with children and young people. These relationships are the foundation of My Time, Our Place V2.0 and guide how we nurture belonging, agency, and wellbeing. We know connection matters, and many of us work intentionally to create environments where children and young people feel safe, seen, and supported.
But what about our teams?
Recently, I’ve had a number of conversations with SAC leaders who’ve shared that they’re feeling a bit disconnected from their teams. Whether it’s due to staff changes, stretched rosters, or just the constant rhythm of transitions and time constraints, many are asking:
- How do I rebuild trust?
- How do I reconnect with a team that’s feeling flat or fragmented?
- Where do I even start when I’m stretched thin myself?
The truth is that connection doesn’t always come from a grand gesture. Often, it starts with the smallest, most intentional moments:
a warm welcome, a quiet “thank you” at the end of a shift, a shared joke during cleanup, or a conversation that begins with “How are you going, really?”
These small acts matter. They create micro-moments of care, building psychological safety, and shape the relational culture of your team. As leaders, we don’t just support practice; we set the tone. And when connection is part of our leadership approach, we create the conditions for wellbeing, trust and collaboration to grow.
Drawing on the Phoenix Cups Framework ®, we know that when someone’s Connection Cup is running low, it can affect everything; communication, patience, energy levels, and their ability to show up with presence and intention. And this includes educators. Just as children and young people need connection to thrive, so do our teams.
That’s why we’ve been encouraging leaders to revisit the Connection Plan (Bingo Card); a tool many of us already use to build connection with children; but this time, through the lens of leadership.
We've created a new tool - a Connection Cup Plan for leadership to offer practical ways for leaders to connect more intentionally with their teams. From personalised check-ins to non-verbal gestures and reflective conversations, it’s designed to support relational leadership that is intentional, human, and grounded in everyday practice.
This adapted version can be especially helpful for:
- New or emerging leaders still developing confidence and clarity in their role
- Leaders stepping into existing teams where trust needs to be built or repaired
- Services navigating change or feeling the effects of burnout or turnover
- Anyone wanting to strengthen a culture of mutual respect, care, and collaboration
But like any tool, its value comes through reflection and consistent use. That’s why we’ve included reflective questions for leaders to use weekly or monthly; simple prompts to help tune in not just to how you’re leading, but how you’re connecting.
Because at the heart of School Age Care is this truth:
Relationships don’t just support quality practice - they are quality practice.
So, if you’ve been feeling the gap, start small. One connection a day. One moment of presence. One act of care.
And remember ... connection isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, with intention.
Let’s keep leading with intentional purpose.
Download The Phoenix Cups Connection Plan For Leaders HERE
Author: Annette Johnson