The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

Send us Fan Mail  Trevor Newton is bringing the energy and big personality to The Childcare Director’s Chair as he breaks down why big body play isn’t just fun—it’s essential for kids’ social, emotional, and physical growth. He’s all about creating spaces where play rules, teachers lead with passion, and everyone rediscovers the joy of teaching. From building real connections through active play t...

Send us Fan Mail  In this powerful episode, global keynote speaker and behavior specialist Prena Richards joins us to unpack what children with challenging behaviors really need—and why it starts with bold, compassionate leadership. We’re diving into what school leaders must know to support not just students, but also the teachers and families walking alongside them. Expect real talk, expert insig...

Send us Fan Mail  In this powerhouse episode, Chanie Wilschanski joins us to spill the tea on what it really takes to lead an early childhood center from hot mess to high-performing. We’re talking bold leadership, fierce empathy, and setting standards that scream, “This is who I am!” From spotting future rockstar leaders to plugging those sneaky money leaks draining your energy (and budget), Chani...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , we’re joined by the fabulous Nicole Rich Bryne—a veteran educator who’s been guiding families through early intervention and special ed like a total pro. Nicole brings her no-fluff wisdom on leading with heart, navigating tricky transitions, and building real-deal relationships with local schools. She dives into how to communica...

Send us Fan Mail "Director Bootcamp: What They Didn’t Tell You About Year One"  Stepping into leadership and already questioning your life choices? Welcome to the wild world of childcare directing—where the licensing rules are confusing, the staff room drama is real, and the budget never quite budgets. 😅 In this episode, we’re joined by Latisha Corley—childcare consultant, leadership tr...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ The Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast with Erica Saccoccio As a childcare director, you're constantly pouring into others — but who’s pouring into you ? In this empowering episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast , host Erica Saccoccio dives into the importance of self-care, travel, and time off for early childhood education leaders. We’re talking about why it’s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Erica discusses the importance of creating a proactive behavior support system in childcare settings. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear expectations, consistency among staff, and effective reinforcement strategies to foster positive behavior in children. The Erica provides practical tips for directors to implement these strategies and reflects on the...

Send us Fan Mail  Aggression in young children—whether it’s biting, hitting, screaming, or throwing—isn’t just a “phase” to ignore. It’s a signal that a child is struggling to manage emotions, communicate needs, or feel in control. As a childcare director, your role is to support your team in responding with compassion, skill, and consistency—so we can teach kids what to do, not just what not to d...

Send us Fan Mail When parents and teachers work together, children thrive . But when communication breaks down or expectations don’t align, it can feel like you’re both rowing in opposite directions—and the child is stuck in the middle. This episode walks you through how to build strong, respectful, and consistent partnerships between home and school so that behavior strategies stick and children...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Game On in the Child Care Director’s Chair! 🏆 Lace up those sneakers and grab your whistle, because this episode is bringing serious MVP energy ! Erica Saccoccio teams up with the dynamic Latrice Galloway to break down the Born to Teach Conference — and trust us, it’s not your average professional development snoozefest. With an all-star sports theme, this conference is where...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve seen it all — the tantrums, the meltdowns, the “NO!” shouted from across the room. But what if we told you that every behavior is a message? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why kids act out and what you, as a childcare director, really need to know to help your team decode the drama. Join us as we explore the real reasons behind challenging behaviors — fr...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Childcare Director’s Chair, host Erica Saccoccio welcomes the incredible Chrissandra Mosby , a.k.a. The Culture Queen , for a straight-up powerful conversation about transforming your center’s culture—from the inside out. We’re not sugarcoating it. We’re talking about what to do when: Your staff is burnt out Your center’s vibe is dragging Your culture feels more chaot...

Send us Fan Mail In this no-fluff episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , host Erica Saccoccio teams up with child development pro Dr. Jamie Lewis for a real, raw conversation about one of the trickiest parts of your job: helping parents understand their child’s developmental milestones. From casual check-ins to those tougher “we need to talk” moments, we’re breaking down how to: Keep families...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the vital partnership between directors and lead teachers in early childhood education. She emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and shared vision in building a strong team culture. The conversation explores strategies for effective collaboration, understanding each other's roles, and fos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Krzanowski discusses the transformative changes in early childhood education, focusing on innovative workforce solutions and the importance of building career pathways for educators. She highlights the challenges of staffing and retention, the need for leadership and business skills in early childhood education, and the misconceptions surrounding the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, the host emphasizes the invaluable lessons that children teach us and how these insights can reshape leadership styles in childcare settings. By observing children, leaders can learn about patience, creativity, and emotional presence, which are essential for effective management and support of staff and families. The convers...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio emphasizes the importance of everyday moments in early childhood education, highlighting how these interactions contribute to brain development. She discusses the critical role of play in learning and the necessity of building strong relationships between teachers and children. Erica advocates for a sh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica reflects on the recent conference and emphasizes the importance of focusing on others in leadership roles within early childhood education. She discusses how prioritizing the well-being of team members can lead to a more supportive and effective work environment. Erica shares personal experiences and insights on findi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the importance of addressing negative mindsets in childcare leadership, including imposter syndrome and perfectionism. She emphasizes the need for self-compassion, open communication, and celebrating small wins to foster a supportive work environment. The conversation provides practical strateg...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors podcast, the host discusses three essential mindsets that differentiate good leaders from transformative leaders: the resilient mindset, the empowering mindset, and the solution-oriented mindset. The conversation emphasizes the importance of these mindsets in overcoming challenges, fostering team growth, and maintaining a positive leader...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Erica discusses the importance of cultivating a strong leadership mindset for veteran childcare directors. She emphasizes the need for reflective practices, the significance of a supportive network, and the value of continuous learning. Erica encourages directors to invest in themselves strategically and to model growth for their teams, ultimately fostering a cult...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the critical mindset needed for effective leadership in childcare. She emphasizes the importance of sustainability, vision, and emotional regulation in leadership roles. The conversation covers practical strategies for aligning goals with vision, building resilience, and fostering a pos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, the host discusses the pressing issue of staff disengagement in childcare settings. The conversation delves into the complexities behind this disengagement, including burnout, lack of recognition, and unrealistic expectations. The host then presents high-level strategies to reignite staff engagement, such as fostering owne...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the often counterintuitive strategy of downsizing childcare programs. She explores the reasons why consolidating locations can be beneficial, especially in uncertain economic times. The conversation covers the pros and cons of downsizing, including improved operational efficiency, financial health, and stron...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, the host discusses the challenges childcare providers face with staffing and scheduling, particularly when staff call out unexpectedly. The conversation emphasizes the importance of assessing current scheduling systems, effective communication with staff, and implementing actionable solutions to improve efficiency an...