ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie tackle why Staff Appreciation Week alone isn't enough to retain your childcare team. They share practical, budget-friendly ideas for showing appreciation year-round — think personalized gifts, cooking lunch, surprise concert tickets, and even starting a movie club! They also address the post-COVID challenge of scalin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie dive into making staff appreciation a daily leadership habit. Inspired by the concept of "management by walking around," Carrie shares how doing quick, intentional classroom walk-throughs twice a day helps leaders truly see their staff in action.  From jotting notes on paper to sending a quick video message say...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat about the real-life ups and downs of showing appreciation to childcare staff, without breaking the bank. They swap clever, heartfelt ideas like handwritten notes, photo keepsakes, and simple thank-yous for everyone from teachers to van drivers. The duo reminds us that genuine recognition, whether it’s a high five or remembering a staff member’...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat about a leadership habit every early childhood director should try: focusing on the positives! They explain why our brains naturally spot problems first, but how shifting to notice and celebrate what’s going well can boost morale and quality.  Carrie shares her “Caught in the Act” strategy, intentionally catching sta...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat about how childcare directors can truly show appreciation for their staff, without falling into the trap of generic gifts or pizza parties. They share practical tips on understanding each team member’s unique “language of appreciation,” planning for special occasions, and making even simple gestures feel personal and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you’ll join Kate and Carrie as they chat with Jared Hall, CEO and Founder of IntelliKid Systems, a software platform built for childcare centers. Jared shares stories from his family’s decades in the industry and dives into how technology can help with enrollment, lead tracking, and communication (yes, answering the phone really matters!).  You’ll pick up practica...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie dive into the real risks of staff using personal phones in childcare settings. They share eye-opening stats about explicit content on devices and discuss why strict no-phone policies are a must to keep kids safe. They offer practical tips—like using phone organizers and staff training—to help directors protect children an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll join Kate, Carrie, and guest Allie Guinn as they chat about all things preschool graduation. They share smart tips for planning meaningful celebrations, from picking the perfect timing (spring or August?) to budgeting for those adorable caps and gowns. Allie dishes out her expertise on safety (watch out for those bargain-bin tasse...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," Kate and Carriechat about a clever way to market your childcare center, by creating a neighborhood guidebook from a child’s perspective! They share how partnering with local realtors and businesses (think: restaurants, pediatricians, movie theaters) can help you connect with new families and stand out as a community leader. ...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartwarming episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat with Meredith Douglas from Boost, a nonprofit helping preschool teachers through tough times, think surprise car repairs or medical bills. Meredith shares how Boost steps in with emergency funds, offers financial education, and makes it easy for directors to nominate teachers in need.  They also discuss...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, your favorite duo gets real about leadership books. You know, the ones piling up on your nightstand. They chat about using books as tools, not just decor, and share tips for matching your reading style (audio, visual, or hands-on) to the right format. Kate and Carrie also recommend practical reads like It’s Lonely at the Top and spill th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll join a warm chat with curriculum expert Sharon Burnett. Sharon shares her journey from kindergarten teacher to founder of Frog Street and creator of the “Foundations” program, which blends music, play, and social-emotional learning for emergent literacy.  You’ll pick up practical tips on weaving these playful, research-backed stra...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll feel like you’re sitting down with two friends over coffee as they unpack the role of home-based childcare in our communities. They chat about the differences between regulated and unregulated care, the unique strengths of home providers, and how centers and home programs can support each other (not compete!).  They also tackle to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll meet Meghan Cornwell, whose journey from theatre and entertainment marketing to early childhood education is anything but typical! Meghan opens up about the ups and downs of finding mentorship—like being “ghosted” and feeling unsure how to ask for help.  Together, the trio shares wisdom on making mentorship meaningful (and less in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie dive into the everyday communication hurdles between child care center owners and directors. Through relatable role-plays and real talk, they unpack why owners and directors sometimes feel like they're speaking different languages, especially around emails, staff appreciation, and budgets.  They share practical tips...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Carrie and Kate sit down with Fiona Webb, a UK childcare owner, for a warm, globe-trotting chat. They swap stories about Fiona’s journey from the army to early years education, compare UK and US childcare quirks, and dream up a world tour to explore international programs.  The conversation is full of laughs, practical wisdom, and reminders that finding the right...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll feel like you’re sitting down with two wise friends over coffee. Kate and Carrie get real about the financial ups and downs of running a childcare center, think about unexpected repairs, snow days, and the tricky balance between personal and business finances. They share smart strategies for building resilience, keeping staff in t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat with Chris Mabasa, an experienced area director in childcare. Chris shares how his team keeps communication strong and leadership unified across four rapidly growing sites. Think daily check-ins, shared training, and creative staff events like the Dream Summit.  You’ll pick up practical tips on building a supportive...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, the hosts chat about making professional development in childcare truly meaningful. They share tips on moving beyond “check-the-box” trainings, like using book clubs, setting personal goals, and encouraging real engagement; yes, even turning cameras on during virtual sessions!  Carrie offers resourceful strategies fo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, you’ll hear a down-to-earth chat with a professor from Texas Woman’s University about how classroom environments shape little ones’ learning and behavior.  They swap stories and practical tips—think calming colors, less clutter, and spaces that match your program’s philosophy (Montessori, Reggio, etc.).  You’ll pick...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat about the wild ride that is January and February for childcare directors. They share real talk about feeling overwhelmed, juggling too many hats, and how simple systems (like “tiger time” and body doubling) can save your sanity.  You’ll pick up clever delegation tips, think about handing off party planning or SOP creation, and hear how automat...

Send us Fan Mail You’re going to love this episode! Kate and Carrie sit down with marketing pro Ruth Ann Rose to chat about how childcare centers can boost enrollment with smart, consistent branding. They swap stories about marketing mishaps (including a cringe-worthy website link fail!), explain why your digital footprint matters, and share easy tips for keeping your online presence polished.  Ru...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, it’s just Carrie at the mic, diving deep into the tough realities facing childcare in the U.S. She unpacks legal battles over subsidy freezes in five states, Head Start’s fight for DEI, and the ripple effects of payment delays and funding cuts.  Carrie’s got practical advice and heartfelt stories, all with a dose of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with the ever-resourceful Logan (aka “Logan the Leprechaun”) to chat about creative ways to fund your child care program. They share tips on using data you already collect, crafting compelling stories, and—here’s the gold—tapping into local business marketing budgets for sponsorships and discounts. You’ll walk aw...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie get interviewed in an episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair. Erica Saccoccio sits down with them to chat about building real, lasting partnerships between schools and families. They share smart, down-to-earth tips—like swapping rushed updates for meaningful stories and asking parents thoughtful questions at pick-up.  The trio reminds us that w...