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Author

Dr. Cindy Acker

Head of School, DEIBJ Consultant, Keynote Speaker and Playwright

Dr. Cindy Acker is a Montessori head of school, DEIBJ consultant, keynote speaker and playwright. She opened her first Montessori school in 1983 in a rented house and has since grown it into seven Montessori schools in California. Her work focuses on inclusion, belonging and building school communities where every family feels seen.

Credentials
LinkedIn profile
The archive
Newest first
Written by
Dr. Cindy Acker
Switching Made Simple

The Truth About Migrating to illumine, Myth by Myth

Most hesitation about switching childcare software comes down to data. Here are ten common migration myths, and what actually happens when you move to illumine.
7 min read
Teachers Of The Future

Beyond the Observation: Capturing What Really Matters in Early Childhood Education

Observation should help practitioners understand children, not just evidence progress. Lara Hudson on slowing down, recording the process, letting evidence speak and building consistent team practice.
5 min read
Winning In Childcare

Best Playground Alternatives in 2026: 8 Platforms With AI Agents Compared

13 mins
Winning in Childcare

Procare vs Playground: What Their September 2026 Merger Means for Your Decision

How Procare and Playground compare on features, pricing, and reviews now that Procare owns Playground.
9 mints
Market & Regional Insights

Procare Acquires Playground: Deal Details and FAQs

Procare has acquired Playground. Here's what's confirmed, what's unclear, and the questions customers are asking.
4 mins
Using illumine

Nursery Accounting on Autopilot: How illumine's Zoho Books Integration Ends Double Entry for UAE Centres

9 mins
Starting Prechool

How to Start a Preschool: A Step-by-Step Guide

7 Mins
CRM & Enrollment

Childcare CRM Integrations: What to Look For (and What illumine Connects To)

A buyer's guide to childcare CRM integrations: accounting, payments, payroll, and communication tools, plus what illumine connects to today.
6 min read
CRM & Enrollment

Automate the Follow-Up, Not the Relationship: Smarter Childcare Enrollment Nurturing

How illumine triggers automated email, SMS, form, and staff-task follow-ups from CRM events like tour bookings and stage changes, so admissions teams focus on the families who need a human touch.
9 min read
Also by this author
Whitepapers
The Costs Draining Childcare Centers report cover, with insights from Tim Seldin
Whitepaper

The Costs Draining Childcare Centers: USA Cost Benchmark Report

13 min read
What Will Montessori Leadership Look Like in 2030? report cover by illumine and The Montessori Foundation
Whitepaper

What Will Montessori Leadership Look Like in 2030?

16 min read
Webinars and sessions
Session

The Nursery Observation Toolkit 2026 : Making Observation & Assessment Work for You

Session

The Nursery Settling-In Toolkit 2026

10 min read