Claim OwnershipThe Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
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Š 2025 The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
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đď¸ The Child Care Directorâs Chair â Where Big Dreams and Bigger Leadership Collide! Â
Ready to level up your child care career? Whether you're a teacher assistant dreaming of that lead teacher badge, a lead ready to snag that director title, or a director with your sights set on owning your own center (or multiple ones đ)âthis is your seat at the table. And spoiler alert: leadership isnât a title, itâs an action.
Hosted by the one and only Erica Saccoccioâpart coach, part cheerleader, and full-time leadership hype manâyouâll get daily doses of real talk, big laughs, and bold leadership truths. Weâre talking practical strategies, mindset shifts, and serious elevation vibes... all served with love (and a little sass đ).
⨠New episodes drop MondayâFriday at 1 AM ESTâso you can sip your coffee, set your goals, and strut into your center like the boss youâre becoming.
This show is a great addition to your leadership toolbox or the perfect resource for your team onboarding sessionsâbecause the best programs grow their teams from within. đŞÂ
Pull up your chair, future leader. Letâs do this thing. đźđĽ
450Â Episodes
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Send us a text Hey everyone! On this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair Podcast, weâre diving into the real challenges of growing your childcare business without losing yourself in the process. If youâre a business owner or leader, you know the feeling: endless emails, staffing challenges, and enrollment questionsâall while trying to focus on strategy, vision, and growth. Iâll share actionable steps, mindset shifts, and leadership tools to help you expand your influence, lead with clar...
Send us a text âIn yesterday's episode, we unpacked why so many childcare directors and leaders secretly feel like imposters, even when theyâre doing amazing work. This week, itâs all about the next step: how to get unstuck. Join Erica Saccoccio as she shares five powerful ways to silence that inner critic, step into your confidence, and fully own your role as a leader. From practical mindset shifts to daily habits that build self-trust, this episode is packed with encouragement and real stra...
Send us a text âHave you ever walked into your center, smiled like youâve got it all together, but secretly thought, âWhat if Iâm not good enough to lead this?â If so, youâre not alone. In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio opens up about her own struggles with self-doubt and digs into why even the most confident childcare leaders wrestle with imposter syndrome. From crushing expectations to the isolation of leadership, Erica breaks down the five biggest r...
Send us a text Think budgeting is boring or intimidating? Think again! Numbers donât have to scare youâthey can actually be your secret weapon for running a thriving childcare program. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Mathews, Director of Family Childcare Strategy and Advancement at Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, to spill the real tea on making your budget work for YOU. Weâre breaking down how to turn budgeting from a dreaded chore into your ultimate leadership toolâthink value-...
Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Erica, Heather, and Morgan dive into all things Maine AEYC Conference! They talk about why this event is such a must-attend for early childhood educators, from the thought-provoking sessions and inspiring speakers to the hands-on vendor expo filled with resources you can take back to your program. Along the way, they share behind-the-scenes insights into the planning process and why in-person connections are so va...
Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, Sean Toner, owner and president of Beach Babies Child Care, shares insights on leading multiple childcare centers, balancing growth with maintaining core values, and the importance of team development. He discusses the challenges of scaling operations while staying true to the mission and values of the organization. đŤ Love our show? Want to connect with Erica and other visionary childcare leaders? Come join our Childca...
Send us a text In this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair, host Erica Saccoccio spills the real tea on a topic many childcare leaders avoid â money. If youâve ever felt overwhelmed by budgets, confused by financial reports, or guilty about raising tuition, this conversation is for you. Erica breaks down the money side of running a childcare center in a way thatâs simple, practical, and empowering. Youâll learn: The 3 financial reports every leader must understandHow to build a bu...
Send us a text In this episode, I chat with Dr. Charity Hollandâaka Dr. Mommy Câabout leading with purpose in early childhood education. She shares her journey, the culture sheâs built with her team, and how she inspires her staff to show up fully every day. Spoiler alert: her leadership style includes rocking Crocs and mismatched socks! We dive into practical tips for staying focused on your mission, creating a supportive environment, and keeping your team motivatedâeven when the pressure is...
Send us a text Your next Assistant Director could be the secret sauce to a thriving center â but only if you hire, train, and promote them the right way! In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to spot leadership potential in your team, train them to step up with confidence, and set them up to succeed as your right-hand leader. Whether youâre ready to grow talent from within or struggling to find someone you can truly trust, this episode gives you actionable tips to build your dream l...
Send us a text Leaders, itâs time to stop lowering the bar. Mediocrity is not a strategy, and "good enough" is not good enough when youâre responsible for people, programs, and the future of our field. In this episode, Erica Saccoccio spills the real tea on why accepting lessâfrom your team and from yourselfâcreates bigger problems than you think. Weâll dig into why standards matter, how fear of confrontation is holding you back, and what it really takes to set the tone for excellence i...
Send us a text Your next big breakthrough in childcare might be just one connection away. Networking isnât just swapping business cards â in Early Childhood Education, itâs about building real relationships that fuel your passion and keep you moving forward. In this episode, Erica breaks down the power of your ECE besties, cohorts, collaboratives, and crews, and why the right network can literally change your life. Youâll discover key benefits of networking â from sharing resources to gaining...
Send us a text Your policies wonât save you. Your systems wonât save you. The leadership skill that makesâor breaksâyour childcare program is emotional intelligence. In this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio breaks down why EQ is the multiplier that makes every other leadership skill work. Discover how self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management can transform your staff culture, boost parent trust, and keep enrollment strong. Plus, Erica shares practi...
Send us a text The truth is, the physical toll of working in Early Childhood Education is real â and too many educators are paying the price with their health. In this candid episode, Erica shares her own personal battle with being overweight and opens up about the hidden struggles many in our field face: lack of sleep, chronic stress, nonstop demands, and the bad habits we fall into just to get through the day. Weâll dive into the numbers â with studies showing that more than 75% of teachers...
Send us a text Join Erica Saccoccio in this insightful episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast as she explores the transformative mindset shifts that empower directors to lead effectively in childcare. Discover how to move from firefighting to future-focused leadership, build capacity, and protect your peace while shaping a thriving center. Tune in to learn how empowered leaders create lasting legacies and drive meaningful change in early childhood education. &nb...
Send us a text In this insightful episode, host Erica Saccoccio speaks directly to child care leaders facing the challenge of maintaining program excellence during financially difficult times. She reminds us that true leadership isnât about having the most resourcesâitâs about being intentional, consistent, and committed to your core values. Erica shares three practical strategies for leading effectively on a limited budget: Protect Your Non-Negotiables â Clearly define what matters most in y...
Send us a text In tough times, strong leadership isnât just about making big decisionsâitâs about building solid systems that keep your program steady, no matter what chaos shows up. In Episode 2 of our special series Who Leads When Times Are Tough?, weâre talking about how smart systems can reduce your stress, empower your team, and help you lead with calm, clarity, and confidence. Youâll learn: Why great directors donât just lead peopleâthey lead processThe 5 essential systems every childca...
Send us a text In this episode, weâre talking about what it really means to lead when youâre overwhelmed, unsure, or completely in the dark about what to do next. (Yes, even when two teachers call out and the coffee hasnât kicked in yet.) Youâll learn: A simple 3-step tool to get unstuck and lead with clarityWhat to say when your team wants answersâand you donât have themHow to show up steady and strong, even on the hard daysPlus, Iâll walk you through 5 Clarity Questions that every director ...
Send us a text The early education landscape is changing fast. With more choices than everâstate Pre-K, pop-up pods, microschools, and corporate centersâfamilies are shopping for care differently. So how do YOU stand out as a traditional early learning program? In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre talking real strategies for making your program the first and only choice for familiesâwithout lowering your price, changing your values, or chasing trends. đŻ Learn how to: Defin...
Send us a text Description: In this episode, we dive into why communication is the ultimate leadership superpower in early childhood education. Discover how mastering your tone, clarity, timing, and listening skills can transform your leadership style and build stronger teams and relationships with families. Whether youâre a seasoned director or just stepping into leadership, these practical tips will help you lead with confidence and heart. Plus, donât miss exclusive offers for our listener...
Send us a text What happens when you sit under one of the greatest leadership teachers of all time? In this powerful episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, Iâm sharing the 10 transformational leadership lessons I learned from John Maxwellâafter becoming a certified Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. These are the philosophies that shifted the way I lead my center, my team, and even my family. And if you're an early childhood leader, director, or business owner looking to grow in confide...
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Erica, what a heartfelt episode! I truly felt his passion for the children and their familiesâit was so moving. Thank you for consistently bringing such meaningful and inspiring content to your podcast. I always look forward to tuning in. đĽ°