Some early learning programs don’t have vision statements. Many others have statements that are muddled and confusing. This post will help you craft a powerful statement of your vision for your program.

While reviewing early learning policy and procedure manuals, parent handbooks, operating handbooks, and marketing materials, I’ve noticed a tendency for programs to conflate Vision, Mission, and Philosophy statements. This is the first in a series of posts intended to show the differences between these three critical foundational documents and provide tips for composing effective versions of each.

Vision and Mission are frequently used interchangeably, but each has a distinct meaning and purpose. They are closely tied but separate.

An early learning program’s Vision statement should share a reality-based aspiration for the future. It should time travel 10 or 20 years into the future, painting a picture of how you’d like the world to look for children and early learning.

The Mission statement grows from the Vision statement and shares the organization’s purpose. The Mission statement clarifies the program’s role in creating the envisioned future. A Vision statement explains what you want the world to look like in the future, and a Mission statement clarifies what you’re doing to bring that vision to fruition. Vision statements are about the future. Mission statements are about the here and now.

The next post in this series has tips for writing mission statements. Now, those 3 tips for crafting a powerful vision statement.

Be Focused

Your Vision statement shouldn’t attempt to paint a picture of the entire future you’d like to see for the whole of humanity. Instead, focus on the small corner where your organization has influence. I noticed a kitchen sink tendency when reviewing a hundred-plus early learning vision statements. Attempts were made to be all-inclusive, toss in all the popular buzzwords, and try to include oh so much detail. Many Vision statements I reviewed also drifted into content that belonged in their Mission, Philosophy, or Goals.

It’s understandable. Committees often write these statements and, to avoid hurt feelings, everyone’s ideas are mushed into the final version. Instead of the kitchen sink approach, keep your Vision statement focused. Prune liberally.

Be Succinct

In reviewing all those vision statements, I found most were too long. Part of the reason was the lack of focus mentioned above, but I also noticed a tendency toward complicated sentences, professional jargon, flowery language, and over-explanation and justification. Many started with focused and clear introductory sentences and then rambled on with paragraphs of unnecessary fluff.

Vision statements should be memorable since the program’s Mission, Philosophy, Policies, and Procedures grow from them. Instead of writing a book report, aim to create a single pithy sentence free of jargon and ambiguity.

Be Aspirational

Mission statements should inspire employees and other stakeholders. Your focused and succinct statement should also help others see the world you envision. The future you envision should be bright, hopeful, and stirring, so others are nudged to work to make it real. Use simple language to paint a positive dream for the future. Most statements I reviewed had at least a nugget of aspiration, but it was often buried. Being focused and succinct tends to put the aspiration on display.

Vision Statement Wrap Up

Whether revising an existing Vision statement or composing a new one, these 3 tips should help you create something powerful that will serve you well. Remember, this statement is foundational. Ideally, your Mission statement, Philosophy statement, and policies and procedures grow from it. Every choice made in your early learning setting should move the world closer to the vision of the world created with this statement. Put plenty of thought into it and be focused, succinct, and aspirational.

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