The Everything ECE Podcast

Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and candles—it’s about real, intentional practices that help you thrive, not just survive. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward gets real about the impact of stress on your health and relationships, sharing personal stories and actionable strategies to make self-care a non-negotiable part of your life. From setting boundaries to celebrating sm...

Carla welcomes Hina Khan, a former psychotherapist turned peak performance mindset coach, to discuss the power of manifestation and personal growth. Hina shares her journey and insights on recognizing abundance, the importance of community, and the undervaluation of early childhood educators. They explore concepts like the financial thermostat and goal setting, emphasizing that women's wealth can...

Carla is joined by Kerry Drake to discuss the vital role of mentorship in early childhood education, highlighting its impact on educators' growth. Kerry, a seasoned educator and founder of KD Talks, shares her positive experiences and emphasizes the need for structured placements and mentor preparation. The conversation covers the importance of building relationships, collective responsibility in...

Choosing a word for the year can be a powerful way to set your intentions and stay grounded throughout 2025. In this reflective episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , host Carla Ward guides early childhood educators on a meaningful journey to discover their word for the year. Through moments of reflection, thoughtful prompts, and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to choose a word that inspires yo...

How has the pandemic shaped the literacy and motor skills of today’s preschoolers? Join Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift as she explores the startling decline in kindergarten readiness and its ripple effects. Dr. Swift dives into how social-emotional development, phonological awareness, and play-based learning hold the keys to recovery. This episode offers strategies for educators and parents alike—but what...

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward shares five practical strategies to help children start their day on the right foot. Whether you’re in home child care or a center-based program, these tips will empower you to create a welcoming and supportive environment from the moment children arrive. Tune in to discover how small, intentional actions can set the tone for a positive da...

What happens when a hurricane or wildfire interrupts a child's early education? For over 500,000 children enrolled in Head Start programs—40% of which are in federally declared disaster areas—the consequences are profound. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , host Carla Ward speaks with Todd Grindall, Co-Director at SRI Education, to uncover the critical challenges that extreme weather...

Cathy Turalinski returns to share her extensive 40+ years of experience in early childhood education, focusing on the critical first five years of brain development. She emphasizes the importance of integrating research into daily interactions with children and advocates for a shift in mindset among educators regarding toddler behaviour. As an entrepreneur and author of a four-book series, she aim...

Carla Ward joins nine incredible podcasting educators who came together for a roundtable discussion to explore the vital themes of mentorship, self-care, and advocacy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of play in maintaining creativity and passion in teaching while offering practical self-care tips and leadership insights. The podcasters share their experiences and highlight the need for...

Dana Levin-Robinson, CEO and founder of Upfront, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss how she is transforming childcare access through innovative data integration. Inspired by her own struggles to find suitable childcare, Dana launched Upfront to tackle the supply-demand mismatch by breaking down data silos and enhancing collaboration with governments and nonprofits. By creati...

Join Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast as she talks with Macall Gordon, a specialist in sleep training children, about the importance of naps in early childhood. Macall explains why naps are essential not only for physical growth but also for emotional regulation and behaviour. In this episode, discover: The hidden benefits of nap time and how missed naps can affect behaviour Strategies for...

Maddie Pelz, founder of Grow Into Math, joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss the importance of play-based environments in alleviating math anxiety in children. She shares her research on innate math intuitions and the confusion often caused by formal education. Highlighting her experience, she emphasizes integrating math discussions into daily activities and the significance o...

In this episode, Rae discusses the vital role of play in early childhood education and why it should be an essential part of every learning environment. She explores different types of play, including free play, guided play, block play, and risky play, and explains how each supports children's development. Rae also addresses concerns about a possible return to more traditional education methods an...

Erica Saccoccio, a Rhode Island childcare owner, shares insights from her experience managing three centres and hosting the "Childcare Directors Chair" podcast. She emphasizes the importance of flow in life, effective communication, and a supportive work environment to enhance staff morale and retention. With a focus on personalized professional development, cross-training, and strong team bonding...

Jamie Wagler joins Carla Ward on The Everything ECE Podcast to discuss the crucial role of school-age educators. She explores the high turnover rates in before and after school programs and their detrimental effects on children. Jamie advocates for the creation of full-time positions to enhance stability, improved training, and stronger community support for educators. She stresses the significanc...

Carla Ward interviews Marlo Humiski from Learn, Develop, Succeed (LDS), a nonprofit in BC dedicated to supporting families with learning disabilities. The discussion highlights the Early Risers Program, which provides early intervention in a preschool-like setting, engaging families through community partnerships and workshops. With a focus on literacy, numeracy, and fine motor skills, the program...

Host Carla Ward interviews Dr. Jasmine Moses, an expert in anti-bias early childhood education, discussing the importance of inclusivity in early learning environments. Dr. Moses outlines the four main goals of anti-bias education—identity, diversity, justice, and activism—and emphasizes the need for diverse materials and perspectives in classrooms. The conversation highlights the significance of...

Host Carla Ward engages with leadership strategist Beth Cannon to explore self-disqualification in early childhood education. They discuss the importance of treating early education as a business focused on delivering positive experiences, emphasizing effective systems, core values, and operational efficiency. Beth introduces her Stuck to Strategy Academy, outlining four core pillars for strengthe...

Carla Ward hosts a discussion with Jesse, CEO of Anji Education, on the transformative Anji Play philosophy in early childhood education. This approach prioritizes love, safety, and children's autonomy, fostering independent problem-solving through unguided play. The conversation highlights the importance of strong relationships with families, the balance between structure and freedom, and the nee...

Carla Ward hosts The Everything ECE Podcast with Kristine Parsons from the College of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, discussing the College's vital role in regulating early childhood educators. Kristine explains how the College protects the public through standards, a public register, and handling complaints. The episode highlights Ontario's unique position as the only Canadian province wit...

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast , Carla Ward sits down with Alex Carnio, CEO of Productivity, to explore an innovative childcare model that’s making waves in Kelowna, BC. Alex shares her unique approach to early childhood care, which blends flexible childcare services with co-working spaces for parents. With three centers offering 111 spots for children aged 0-5, this model is design...

Carla Ward hosts the Everything ECE podcast featuring 'Iolani Bullock, who discusses her children's book "Little Lenox Takes Flight," which encourages travel and diversity for preschoolers. Inspired by the lack of diverse travel literature for her son, Bullock emphasizes the importance of representation in children's books and the negative impact of book bans on exposure to diverse perspectives. T...

Carla Ward explores the concept of self-serve lunches for children, emphasizing the importance of fostering independence and confidence. The discussion covers developmental considerations, benefits such as improved motor skills and healthy eating habits, and practical implementation strategies. Listeners will learn how to gradually introduce self-serving practices and address common concerns, ulti...

Carla Ward and Lisa MacKay explore the vital role of outdoor learning in early childhood education, emphasizing its benefits for children's well-being amidst increasing screen time. With over 20 years of experience, Lisa advocates for inquiry-based learning, highlighting how outdoor environments stimulate curiosity and cognitive development. This episode offers practical tips for educators and par...

Explore ethical dilemmas in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with Taylor Aiyadurai on the Everything ECE podcast. Learn about common challenges like babysitting after hours and favouritism and the importance of reflecting on personal values and setting professional boundaries. Discover the significance of seeking guidance from policies and colleagues to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively, and th...