ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie

Send us Fan Mail Kate and Carrie chat with Ron Shuali, an expert in playful and engaging training methods for educators. Ron introduces the concept of "unprofessional development," which focuses on fun and interactive training rather than the usual dull sessions. They discuss the importance of shifting from "should" to "could" to manage expectations and reduce stress....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat with Gabrielle Weller, a dedicated advocate for quality child care from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gabrielle shares her incredible journey of transforming a struggling child care center into a thriving, culturally inclusive program. She talks about the importance of high-quality early education, the challenges of funding, and the power of a posi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie dive into the nitty-gritty of financial forecasting for childcare centers. They chat about the impact of public pre-k funding, stressing how it leaves a gap for infant and toddler care. Carrie shares her insights on flexible staffing and care options, suggesting part-time care to match family needs. They also explore financial incentives for staff,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat with Tracy Nardo, a seasoned expert with 36 years in early childhood education. Tracy dives into the importance of safety and licensing in childcare programs, sharing her knowledge on risk management and staff training. She emphasizes the need for comprehensive training from day one and explains the serious consequences of neglecting safety pr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie dive into the nitty-gritty of childcare funding in the U.S., especially with recent federal freezes. They chat about how federal government funds flow to states and childcare centers, and how disruptions can cause big headaches for providers. Carrie explains the importance of advocacy and community engagement in keeping funds flowing. They also sha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," our hosts sit down with the incredible Kelly Ramsey, a true veteran in early childhood education. Kelly shares her inspiring journey, starting as an assistant teacher in 1984 and evolving into a leader and author. Her latest book, "Stories of Resistance," highlights the powerful narratives of B...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie discuss the financial strategies for managing infant and toddler classrooms amid rising competition from public pre-kindergarten programs and larger childcare franchises. They address a listener's concern about losing students to public pre-k programs. Kate emphasizes highlighting their unique educationa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," co-hosts Kate and Carrie sit down with Chelsea Reue, a seasoned childcare professional, to dive into the fascinating world of "secret shopping" in childcare. Chelsea, who has owned and directed childcare programs, shares her experiences visiting centers undercover as a prospective parent. She offers invaluable tips...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie share practical tips to help childcare centers boost inquiries and enrollments, especially at the start of the year. Kate emphasizes the importance of clear communication with staff and parents, keeping online profiles updated, and creating enticing offers. Carrie adds her thoughts on answering phone calls pr...

Send us Fan Mail Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our...

Send us Fan Mail Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat with architect Daniel Turner about sprucing up childcare facilities. They dive into the pros and cons of new builds versus remodels, how to pick the right architect and budgeting tips. Daniel shares insights on making spaces inviting and safe, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful design and practical...

Send us Fan Mail In this special bonus episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," moderated by Erica Saccoccia, 9 experts in the childcare field come together to focus on self-care, leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and mentorship for early childhood educators. Erica kicks things off by stressing the importance of self-care, reminding us that we can't pour from a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," co-hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Nick Williams from Child Care Business Growth, who's tuning in from the UK. They dive into the challenges childcare directors face, especially those pesky tasks that feel overwhelming.  Nick shares some golden nuggets on delegating responsibilities like marketing and parent communicati...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat with insurance expert Blake about the ins and outs of insurance for early childhood care centers. Carrie shares a personal story about the chaos she faced when her center was damaged and she lacked business interruption insurance. Blake dives into why this type of insurance is crucial, explaining how it...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie dive into some helpful tips on making the most of registration fees and marketing budgets for childcare centers. They discuss using part of the registration fees to create awesome welcome packages for new families, like personalized sippy cups and local restaurant coupons. They also highlight the importance o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," we dive into the nitty-gritty of strategic planning for childcare enrollment. Kate and Carrie share some golden nuggets on prepping for the big January enrollment push. They stress the importance of gathering data from past enrollments, setting SMART goals, and refining marketing strategies. You'll learn about tracking...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," our hosts dive into the nitty-gritty of labor laws affecting early childhood care providers. Kate and Carrie break down the Department of Labor's rules on exempt vs. non-exempt employees, explaining how not all salaried workers are exempt from overtime pay. They chat about the upcoming changes in mi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," our dynamic duo dives into their recent adventures at childcare conferences. They chat about their roles as authors, coaches, and trainers, sharing highlights from the Child Care Success Summit in Chicago. Kate and Carrie emphasize the power of networking and the importance of using the right terminology...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat with Jessica Wright from Inspire Care 360 about the all-important topic of staff retention in childcare. Jessica shares her wealth of knowledge on creating effective onboarding processes, fostering a strong culture, and offering professional development opportunities. She introduces the "six C'...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," Kate dives into strategic planning for 2025 as 2024 winds down. She discusses the importance of reflecting on the year's successes and challenges and the value of documenting these experiences. Kate also highlights the significance of celebrating staff contributions and engaging them in reflection....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kate and Carrie dive into the fascinating idea of "monkey management", inspired by a classic 1974 Harvard Business Review article. They share how this concept has shaped their work with childcare directors and even their parenting styles.  The key takeaway? Don’t take on others' burdens—delegate! They also discuss their upcoming book, "Don&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie discuss why becoming a director in early childhood education is a fantastic career move. Carrie shares her journey, aiming to own a center and stressing the importance of being director-qualified. They discuss the perks like increased earnings, making a broader impact, and career growth. However, they also to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," hosts Kate and Carrie sit down with their amazing super friend Kimberly Holiday, a councilwoman from Pflugerville, Texas. Kimberly shares her inspiring journey from early childhood education to local government, emphasizing the power of advocacy for children and families. She talks about her work with transitional housing fo...

Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat about the ins and outs of expanding a childcare business to multiple locations. They highlight the perks like economies of scale, cross-promotion, and increased revenue potential. Carrie shares her journey, detailing the challenges and triumphs of growing her business from one center to sever...