The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

Send us a text What happens when educators pause long enough to reflect on their teaching, their children, and themselves? Everything. Join us for a down-to-earth conversation about the role of reflection in building strong teams, supportive relationships with families, and meaningful learning environments. And—because we love surprises—we’re giving you a chance to win a 3-day ticket to the Early Education Empowerment Conference for your director. Tune in, reflect, and take action...

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio gets to the heart of what truly drives quality in early learning: relationships. Before the curriculum, before the routines, before the perfect learning environment—comes the bond between children and the adults who care for them. Erica unpacks why positive, caring, and supportive interactions are the real curriculum of early childhood, shaping everything from a child’s confidence to their lifelong approach to l...

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into one of the most powerful truths in early childhood education: children grow and learn across multiple worlds. Their families, cultures, languages, communities, and early learning environments all shape who they are—and who they’re becoming. Erica breaks down how relationships, attachments, cultural identity, multilingual development, and even larger social systems influence a child’s sense of bel...

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica takes you deep into one of the most important—and often overlooked—leadership responsibilities in early childhood education: truly understanding child development from birth through age eight across all domains. Erica breaks down what Professional Standard 1a really means for directors, teachers, and the children we serve. From physical and cognitive development to social-emotional and linguistic growth (including bilingu...

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we dive into one of the most powerful forces behind high-quality early childhood programs: leadership. Fresh off our center’s unannounced visit — the final step in our journey toward a five-star quality rating — I’m sharing what leadership looks like in real life, not just on paper. You’ll hear how my experience serving on our state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System workgroup shaped my understanding of what quality ...

Send us a text In this episode, Erica slows down the noise of day-to-day operations and invites directors to take a thoughtful look at what’s really happening inside their classrooms. Are your teachers busy — or are they intentional? Are you leading a program that truly supports developmentally appropriate practice and inclusive curriculum? Through honest reflection and real-world leadership insights, Erica explores how directors can coach with purpose, build systems that support quality, and...

Send us a text I n this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica breaks down what confident coaching really looks like inside a thriving early childhood program. No fluff, no corporate jargon—just real strategies you can use today to guide teachers, strengthen your culture, and raise the quality of your entire center. You’ll learn how to hold stronger coaching conversations, give feedback that actually sticks, and build trust with every member of your team. Plus—Early Education Empowe...

Send us a text The holidays are here, and so is the chaos! In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica shares her essential survival guide for staying grounded, organized, and joy-filled during December’s whirlwind. From supporting overstimulated children to keeping your teachers energized and protecting your own sanity, this episode gives you practical, real-world strategies to navigate the busiest season in childcare. If you’re juggling events, parent expectations, glitte...

Send us a text Winter is coming… and so are snowstorms, sniffles, and frosty floors! ❄️ In this episode of Childcare Directors Chair, Erica Saccoccio shares practical tips to keep your center running smoothly all winter long. Learn how to prep classrooms for cold-weather fun, keep staff morale high when energy is low, communicate clearly with families, and handle snowstorms and winter emergencies like a pro (New England directors, this one’s for you!). Stick around till the end for a Thanksgi...

Send us a text Ready to turn January inquiries into full classrooms? In this episode, Erica shares 10 practical, proven tips to capture every lead and turn them into enrolled families. From mastering your follow-up, refreshing your tours, and creating urgency without pressure, to polishing your first impressions and leveraging marketing updates, you’ll learn exactly how to make the most of the post-holiday enrollment surge. Whether it’s reconnecting with cold leads, engaging your community, o...

Send us a text Ater finally getting over a stubborn cold and rolling straight into all the pre–Turkey Day prep (because in ECE, the work never slows down—cold or no cold), Erica jumps on the mic to talk directly to early childhood leaders about gratitude, giving, and finding joy in the middle of everyday operations. Between enrollment, staffing, lesson plans, family questions, and holiday prep, it’s easy to forget to pause and appreciate the good… including yourself. And in true Erica fashion...

Send us a text Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Today’s episode is full of gratitude, real-life laughs, and a HUGE surprise for my amazing listeners. Yes… I accidentally released yesterday’s episode on the wrong date (cold-season chaos!), and yes… I even put the outro music in the intro. But if there’s one thing we childcare leaders do well, it’s pivot with grace and humor! To make it up to you — and to celebrate the 16 listeners who tuned in the second the episode dropped — I’m doubling my givea...

Send us a text Winter is coming… and so are snowstorms, sniffles, and frosty floors! ❄️ In this episode of Childcare Directors Chair, Erica Saccoccio shares practical tips to keep your center running smoothly all winter long. Learn how to prep classrooms for cold-weather fun, keep staff morale high when energy is low, communicate clearly with families, and handle snowstorms and winter emergencies like a pro (New England directors, this one’s for you!). Stick around till the end for a Thanksgi...

Send us a text In this episode of the Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio breaks down exactly how childcare leaders can close out the year with clarity, confidence, and momentum. Instead of coasting through December, Erica shows you how to use this season to sharpen your systems, elevate your culture, and prepare your team for a stronger year ahead. You’ll learn the five leadership moves that help directors finish the year strong — from tightening daily routines to evaluating ...

Send us a text In this powerful end-of-year episode, Erica Saccoccio takes you through a grounded, honest reflection of 2025 and the leadership lessons that shaped the childcare field this year. This isn’t a surface-level recap — it’s a deep dive into who you’ve become as a leader, what truly worked in your program, and where your growth is calling you next. Erica walks you step-by-step through five core leadership practices including claiming your wins, identifying costly blind spots, streng...