What is the true cost of inaction?

In this powerful episode, Tasheianna O'Connor shares the tragic story of a childcare provider who, afraid of the system and without health insurance, avoided the doctor and died—leaving her own children behind. Using this loss as a rallying cry, Tasheianna exposes the gaps in Bill 5003, the struggle of providers being "criminalized" for covered outlets, and the skyrocketing insurance that threatens to shut them down.

This is more than a policy discussion; it's a plea for dignity, support, and immediate change for the educators who shape our youngest generation.

For more Episodes of Childcare Challenges, check our playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmDgbxhWYji1iLljft2A1sK6OB13YtnrQ

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

New Mexico is making waves with new childcare legislation, but what does it actually mean for providers and parents? And what faces providers and parents in other states?

Host Tasheianna O'Connor breaks down the new laws, compares them to her own state of Connecticut, and explores the financial realities of running a daycare. If you've ever considered starting your own childcare business, this episode is a must-listen, offering a clear-eyed look at the challenges and opportunities in this landscape.

For more Episodes of Childcare Challenges, check our playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmDgbxhWYji1iLljft2A1sK6OB13YtnrQ

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

When disaster strikes, it hits closest to home. In a deeply personal episode, Tasheianna O'Conner talks about the impact of Hurricane Melissa not as a distant news story, but as a reality for her own friends and family in Jamaica. She breaks down the immediate consequences for childcare and community, and offers clear, actionable ways for listeners to provide meaningful help to the relief efforts.

To help out with the needs of the people of Jamaica reach out to [email protected]

For more Episodes of Childcare Challenges, check our playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmDgbxhWYji1iLljft2A1sK6OB13YtnrQ

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode of Childcare Challenges, host Tashieanna O'Connor sits down with Nilda Aponte, a leader in supporting family child care providers, to discuss the critical role of training and accreditation in early childhood education.

Many family caregivers face barriers to accessing professional development—whether due to cost, time, or a lack of awareness about its importance. Nilda sheds light on how All Our Kin helps providers navigate these challenges, offering guidance on finding quality training, the benefits of accreditation, and how further education elevates both caregivers and the children they serve.

They also explore why some in the field may undervalue continued learning—and how shifting that mindset can lead to stronger businesses, better outcomes for working parents, and a brighter future for kids.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on transforming child care through education, support, and advocacy!

Fin Nilda and All Our Kin here:

[email protected]

https://allourkin.org/

(203) 909 9151 

NNAFCC website

https://allourkin.org/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this heartfelt episode of Childcare Challenges: Dilemmas in Daycare, host Tashieanna O’Connor explores the intersection of immigration and childcare. Why do families leave their home countries to come to America? What challenges do they face in navigating society while building a new life? And why are immigrant families such a vital part of the fabric of our communities?

This episode also includes a call to action: How can we better support immigrant families in accessing affordable, quality childcare? Tashieanna discusses practical steps communities can take, from policy changes to grassroots initiatives, to ensure no family is left behind.

Tune in for an inspiring episode that celebrates the strength of immigrant families and challenges us to build a more inclusive future for all.

Childcare Challenges: Dilemmas in Daycare—because every family deserves a fair chance to thrive.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode Tashieanna O’Connor is joined by Brigette Brantley, an educator from The Bronx and an activist from Da People’s Academy.

Listen in on this inspiring conversation as Bri talks about her activism at the George Floyd protests and her experiences going viral from an interview with the local news.

Bri used the visibility from going viral to help her fund raise and use it as a springboard for fundraising for the community and activism.

But she’s also a beloved history teacher who uses modern ideas to give context to history and help her students to see the truth of the world and explain how things are. And she offers clear and empathetic insights on politics, immigration and community.

Find Da People’s Assembly

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/dapeoplesassemblynyc/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this week’s episode Tashieanna is joined by Kamero, a dynamic young educator working in the Bronx, but with his roots in Kentucky.

Kamero initially intended to pursue a career in diplomacy, but a temporary job to give back to the community lead to him falling in love with education. He spend 7 years as a teacher and is now an administrator with a passion for his work.

Join Tashieanna and Kamero as they talk about the passion of parents, the hard work it takes to make sure parents can be included and how some students look after their own community in troubling times.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this week’s episode of Childcare Challenges your host Tashieanna O’Connor is joined by Jessica Rodriguez Santanna, a childcare provider from the Bronx in New York City.

Jessica was a successful dentistry practitioner for several years with experience with adults, children and special needs patients, but her life changed when she had a special needs child of her own.

Jessica realised she would need to spend a lot of time at home with her daughter so decided to leave her work and start a childcare so that she could be at home with her child, and support families in her community.

This heart-warming conversation goes into Jessica’s belief in the value of community and her and Tashianna’s experiences with special needs children.

Find Jessica’s daycare here:

Website:

https://ameliatinytots.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ameliatinytots/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

After an unexpected hiatus we are back! Your host Tashianna O’Connor has some exciting developments from her own daycare.

She also attended a public meeting for a prospective charter school in her area and the whole community turned out to have their say about the education their children receive and be heard about their needs.

It is inspiring to see the level of engagement and she has shared some video of the meeting.

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]

In this episode Tashieanna O’Connor is joined by Merrill Gay of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.

In this sobering but hopeful discussion Merril talks about the consequences of the recent elections, and how the outcomes may have negative results for Head Start and childcare programmes in Connecticut and around the country, as well as implications for providers, many of whom are not from the USA.

He will also share some peculiar challenges specific to Connecticut as there are spending limitation programmes that mean government has funds it won’t spend, and drops some hints about some good news hopefully coming out of the next legislative session.

Find the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance

https://www.cteca.org/

Find Child Care for CT

https://www.childcareforct.org/

Reach out:

If you would like to share your experiences or join Tasheianna for an episode, send a mail to:

[email protected]