The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

Send us Fan Mail One connection can change everything. In this inspiring episode, we spotlight Trailblazers Leadership Group member Ruth Baugh and her journey from feeling overwhelmed and uncertain to finding her voice, growing her confidence, and stepping boldly into leadership. Through the power of community, collaboration, and being surrounded by the right people, Ruth began building a platform...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio explores how movement is not just a classroom strategy—but a leadership wellness tool that impacts stress, burnout, and long-term health in early childhood education. Learn 5 simple ways childcare directors can bring more movement into their day to improve energy, reduce stress, and strengthen staff and cl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast, host Erica Saccoccio explores why pedagogy leadership is one of the most critical drivers of quality in early childhood education—and how movement plays a powerful role in shaping classroom culture, staff wellness, and learning outcomes. Too often, leaders get pulled into the operational side of early childhood education—...

Send us Fan Mail What if one of the most powerful leadership skills isn’t strategy—but remembering people? In this episode of The Childcare Directors Chair , we explore the leadership power of stories, connection, and making people feel seen. Inspired by a weekend full of conversations where people joked, “I’m here because Ericia collected me,” this episode dives into what it truly means to build...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Childcare Directors Chair , we dive into one of the most overlooked—but most powerful—leadership skills in early childhood education: listening with an open heart. Inspired by Peter Drucker’s quote, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t being said,” this conversation explores what it truly means to listen beyond words as a leader....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Childcare Directors Chair , we’re talking about the message the field keeps sending loud and clear—the future is calling, and it wants better leadership. Early childhood education is shifting fast. The expectations are higher, the challenges are real, and the leaders who will thrive are the ones willing to grow, adapt, and lead with intention. This isn’t abo...

Send us Fan Mail “I’m having a baby… I can’t open the center today.” That should be the most obvious message in the world—but in this real leadership story, it somehow still wasn’t enough. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , we unpack a moment that sounds unbelievable but isn’t. A director goes into labor, communicates clearly from the hospital, leaves updates and voicemails… and s...

Send us Fan Mail Are you the boss your staff feel safe with—or the one they’re recovering from? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair , we explore how leadership impacts staff stress, why educators often carry past workplace trauma into new roles, and five common leadership habits that quietly damage team culture. This is a real, honest look at how directors can unintentionally create...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast , we explore what happens when leaders shift from correction-driven leadership to gratitude-driven leadership. Through real early childhood education scenarios, we uncover how attention—not systems alone—shapes culture, staff morale, retention, and emotional climate in childcare centers. You’ll hear real stories, practical l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast , we explore John Maxwell’s Law of Intentionality and what it truly means to grow as a leader in early childhood education. We break down the difference between accidental growth and intentional growth, the leadership “gaps” that hold professionals back, and why influence always matters more than title or authority. This epi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast , we explore the power of quiet leadership in early childhood education—where the most effective leaders are not the loudest or most visible, but the most consistent, intentional, and impact-driven. Grounded in leadership theory and organizational research, this episode breaks down how servant leadership, facilitation, value...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast , we explore the research-backed truth that leadership behavior—not policies, speeches, or systems—is the strongest driver of workplace culture and staff engagement. Grounded in organizational psychology and early childhood workforce research, we break down how positive leadership modeling directly impacts retention, trust,...

Send us Fan Mail Most childcare directors aren’t overwhelmed because they’re unorganized—they’re overwhelmed because they’re trying to control things they were never meant to control. Staff reactions.  Board decisions.  Parent emotions.  Policy changes. In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast , we break down a powerful leadership truth: You cannot control people or circumstances—b...

Send us Fan Mail Looking to grow your childcare business without relying solely on tuition hikes? In this episode, we dive into 20 innovative and practical ways to create multiple streams of income within your childcare center. From hosting weekend programs and enrichment classes to offering parent resources, partnerships, and digital products, you’ll discover fresh ideas that can increase profita...

Send us Fan Mail  What happens when your top performer—the one hitting every metric and driving results—starts quietly eroding your team culture? In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable reality that high performance doesn’t always equal positive impact. From subtle toxicity to unchecked influence, we explore how one “indispensable” employee can shift morale, collaboration, and long-term succe...

Send us Fan Mail  After a powerful week at the Texas Child Care Association Spring Conference, this episode dives into a conversation many directors are thinking—but not saying out loud. Have we blurred the line between meeting expectations and going above and beyond? And did pandemic-era funding reshape staff expectations in ways that aren’t sustainable? We unpack:  The difference between recogni...

Send us Fan Mail Saying yes might feel like part of the job—but when you’re saying yes to everything and everyone, it can quickly lead to overwhelm, burnout, and feeling stretched too thin. In this episode, we’re diving into the real challenges childcare directors face when it comes to setting boundaries. From staff requests to parent expectations, the pressure to always be available and accommoda...

Send us Fan Mail Ever leave a meeting thinking, “I should have said something…” ? You’re not alone—and your voice in early childhood education matters more than you think. In this episode, we get real about what holds educators back and how to move past it. From speaking up in meetings to using writing, video, podcasting, and mentoring, you’ll hear simple, practical ways to start sharing your idea...

Send us Fan Mail What if the next great voice in early childhood education is already in the classroom? In this episode, we explore the powerful shift from teacher to presenter—and why the field of early childhood education urgently needs new, authentic voices at the table. Too often, conferences and professional learning spaces feature the same perspectives, while the educators doing the daily wo...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Title: Where Does the Money Go? If you’ve ever looked at your childcare center’s revenue and wondered why there’s so little left at the end of the month, this episode is for you. Where Does the Money Go? breaks down the financial reality behind childcare businesses and why profitability isn’t as simple as it seems. We dive into the importance of truly knowing your numbers—...

Send us Fan Mail Creating and sustaining a positive team climate in your childcare center isn’t about surface-level morale—it’s about building trust, collaboration, and engagement that lasts. In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast , we tie together the lessons from this week’s four episodes to help you lead with heart and take practical action to strengthen your team. You’ll di...

Send us Fan Mail Conflict in childcare teams is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to divide your staff. In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast , we explore how to transform tension into teamwork and trust. You’ll hear a real-world story from a childcare center dealing with morning and closing shift conflicts, including challenges with unfinished tasks, long hours, and mismanaged c...

Send us Fan Mail What if stronger relationships—not more policies—were the key to a more successful childcare program? In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast , we explore how intentional connection can transform your team culture. Because in early childhood settings, strong relationships don’t just support staff—they directly impact the experience of the children and families y...

Send us Fan Mail What’s really driving the success—or stress—inside your childcare center? In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast , we’re diving into one of the most overlooked leadership skills: understanding your team dynamics and relationship health. Because the truth is, it’s not just about policies, schedules, or curriculum—it’s about how your team works together . You’ll...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the real driver of classroom quality? It might not be your curriculum—it might be your team. In this episode of Childcare Directors Chair , we take a closer look at how staff relationships quietly shape everything from classroom climate to child outcomes. Because what’s happening in your staff room doesn’t stay there—it shows up in every interaction, every transition, and e...