Claim OwnershipThe Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Subscribed: 16Played: 651
Subscribe
Š 2026 The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Description
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
591Â Episodes
Reverse
Send a text What if classroom observations became a bridge instead of a burden? In this episode of the Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica welcomes Meg and Anders from Famly to discuss how thoughtful documentation strengthens relationships between educators and families. They explore how intuitive technology makes it easy to capture milestones, celebrate progress, and keep everyone connected to a childâs learning journey. Tune in to discover why effective observation systems arenât just about ...
Send a text The pandemic forced childcare leaders to react fastâbut reacting isnât the same as leading. In this episode of the Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica sits down with Joe Pinsonneault to talk about why strategic planning is no longer optional in childcareâitâs survival. They break down what it really means to pivot in todayâs early education landscape, how to move past the pandemic mindset, and why data, accountability, and stakeholder buy-in matter more than ever. Joe shares practi...
Send a text If your prep time disappears, your lunch is rushed (or skipped), and youâre taking work home again, this episode is for you. Erica is joined by Adva Hanan to talk directly to classroom teachers about the real-time management struggles no one prepares you for. This honest conversation breaks down practical strategies teachers can actually useâsetting boundaries in the classroom, creating focused planning time, managing the never-ending demands of the day, and finding space for self...
Send a text Challenging behavior isnât about defiance, discipline, or âbad kidsââitâs communication. In this episode of the Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica sits down with Yolanda Richey to unpack what educators often get wrong about behavior and why managing behavior isnât the same as truly guiding it. Together, they explore how strong relationships, intentional language, and emotionally aware adults can completely shift classroom dynamics. This conversation dives into the role of language...
Send a text What happens when we stop picking sides in early childhood education and start designing with intention? In this episode of the Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica sits down with Susan Zoll to spill the real tea on eclectic curriculum designâpulling powerful elements from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and beyond to meet children exactly where they are. Susan brings her deep experience and research-based insights to the table, unpacking how developmentally appropriate practice, thought...
Send a text Youâve trained your staffâbut are the skills actually sticking? On this episode of Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre talking about how to turn training into transformation. Iâll share real-life strategies to keep skills alive in daily routines, use peer coaching and mini-huddles effectively, recognize wins to build staff confidence, and create a culture that reinforces learning every day. If you want your team to not just know it, but own it, this episode is packed with practical ...
Send us a text Emergencies in childcare can happen in a heartbeatâbut how prepared are you really? In this episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica Saccoccio chats with Stephen Westbrook from Vine Alert about turning panic into preparedness. They break down the gaps in emergency communication, share how Vine Alert empowers staff, and reveal practical tips to keep children calm and parents confident when it matters most. Every childcare leader needs this conversationâbecause saf...
Send us a text Are your staff meetings leaving you frustratedâand your team stuck in the same place week after week? On this episode of Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre diving into how to teach adults new skills that actually stick. Youâll hear practical strategies, real childcare examples, and Chair-style insights to help you: Turn meetings into skill-building sessionsUse modeling, practice, reflection, and peer learningAvoid common pitfalls that keep training from workingThis episode is pa...
Send us a text If youâve ever walked out of a staff meeting thinking, âI explained this⌠why are we still struggling?â âthis episode is for you. In this episode of Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre diving into a truth every childcare owner and director needs to hear: teaching adults is different than teaching children. We talk about why staff training doesnât always stick, how adults actually learn, and the small but powerful shifts leaders can make in training and communication to create bet...
Send us a text Leadership doesnât always announce itself. It often shows up in quiet choices, shared responsibility, and the way we show up for others. In this reflective solo episode, we explore leadership as something lived out alongside people and carried on behalf of others. This conversation invites listeners to pause, reflect, and consider the lasting impact of leading with intention, care, and purpose. This episode is lovingly dedicated to the founding members of the Trail Blazer Group...
Send us a text Behavior is just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Erica and Dr. Mahri Wrightington dive beyond behavior to explore the critical role of emotional development in early childhood education. They discuss how childrenâs behavior is deeply influenced by adult emotions, the challenges educators face in regulating their own feelings, and the often-overlooked emotional support teachers need to thrive. Youâll discover why creating emotio...
Send us a text Are you ready to stop doubting yourself and step fully into your leadership role? In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Dr. Keena Rush Mosley shares how early childhood leaders can level up with clarity, confidence, and command. She explores the challenges directors face, from imposter syndrome to navigating complex team dynamics, and provides actionable strategies to recognize your strengths, lead with authority, foster collaboration, and create a positive...
Send us a text Are you a child care director who wakes up to 5 AM texts, calls, and inbox panics? Youâre not aloneâand there is a better way. In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Erica sits down with Paul Buckley from Ratio Staffing to explore innovative solutions for staffing challenges that keep directors up at all hours. Paul introduces a platform that connects schools with qualified teachers in real timeâhelping you fill positions quickly, maintain legal compliance, ...
Send us a text Struggling to keep your child care staff happy and engaged? Itâs not about perksâitâs about culture. In this episode of the Child Care Directorship Podcast, Erica and Bryanne Adler reveal how winning workplace cultures start with intentional leadership. Learn how to create an environment where your team feels valued, supported, and motivated to stay. Youâll discover practical strategies for: Building trust and repairing conflicts with your staffSetting clear expectations for pr...
Send us a text Are you ready to step into your leadership, but feel stuck, unsure, or unprepared? In this solo episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, we explore the simpleâbut powerful truth: all you need to begin is the desire to lead. We dive into what willingness really looks like, how desire drives meaningful leadership, and why continuous learning is the secret weapon of trailblazers in childcare. Iâll ask you the tough questionsâabout fear, reservations, and whatâs holding you backâ...
Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica sits down with Jerletha McDonald to explore the rapidly changing world of childcare. They dive into the latest policy shifts, funding opportunities, and strategies for ensuring the sustainability and growth of your program. From diversifying funding streams to advocating for your center and collaborating with other providers, this conversation is packed with insights every childcare leader needs to stay ahea...
Send us a text Leadership in early childhood education canât stay stuck on the runway. In this episode, we sit down with guest Dr. Kimberly Krzanowski to talk about what it takes to move ECE leadership from takeoff to touchdownâthrough innovation, intention, and people-centered leadership. Together, we unpack what effective leadership truly looks like in todayâs early childhood education workforce: empowering teachers as professionals, strengthening leadership pipelines, fostering confidence ...
Send us a text In this must-listen episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with childcare marketing expert Mark Davilus to break down the rapidly changing landscape of childcare marketingâand why traditional word-of-mouth is no longer enough. They dive into how todayâs parents actually search for childcare online, the power of social proof and reviews in driving enrollment, and why consistent online visibility is now a non-negotiable for growth. This epis...
Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Jamie Wagler to explore the true power of purpose-centered leadership in after-school programs. Together, they discuss why reconnecting with your âwhyâ is essential for sustainable leadership, how intentional communication strengthens teams, and the profound, lasting impact educators have on children long after the school day ends. Through personal experiences and real-life leadership l...
Send us a text In this impactful episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with two powerhouse leaders in early childhood educationâHolly Elissa Bruno and Cheryl Hoveyâfor a deep and honest conversation about female leadership. Together, they explore trust, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed leadership, and how personal experiences shape the way women show up in leadership roles. This episode unpacks the importance of self-recognition, setting boundaries w...
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
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°