ChildCare Conversations

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What does it take to grow a childcare business without losing the values and families at its heart? Kate Woodward Young talks with Kristen Denzer, CEO of Tierra Encantada, about building a bilingual, values-driven childcare brand from a personal need and creating a path toward nationwide growth.

They explore childcare business growth, bilingual education, franchising, leadership, multi-state expansion, brand standards, and community partnerships, including why strong systems and training need to come before franchising. Kristen also shares lessons on mentorship, networking, market differences, and developing the skills needed to take a childcare business to its next stage. 

If you’re a childcare owner, entrepreneur, or aspiring franchise operator, this conversation offers practical insights for growing with purpose.

Learn more at: https://www.tierraencantada.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendenzer/

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

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Is accreditation just another checklist—or can it actually help your early childhood program grow? Selena McNeely joins Kate Woodward Young to unpack what accreditation really means, why programs pursue it, and how to choose an accreditation path that fits your philosophy and goals.

They explore childcare accreditation, quality improvement, self-study, staff training, family communication, staff retention, and program systems, including what the self-study process can reveal about your strengths and opportunities for growth. Whether you lead a traditional, Montessori, or other nontraditional program, this conversation offers practical insight into using accreditation as a tool for building a stronger, more intentional early childhood program.

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

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What if your playground could become a music classroom—without requiring a music specialist? Alisha Kriege of Freenotes Harmony Park joins Kate Woodward Young to explore how outdoor musical instruments can create inclusive, engaging, and standards-aligned learning experiences for children of all ages.

They discuss music education, outdoor learning, inclusive play, sensory experiences, playground design, and parent engagement, including how pentatonic instruments make it easy for anyone to participate without worrying about playing a “wrong” note. Alicia also shares practical tips on choosing instruments, using QR codes and ready-to-use activities, managing sound and budgets, and creating outdoor spaces that bring children, educators, families, and the community together. If you’re a childcare director, educator, owner, or school leader looking to make your outdoor environment more meaningful, this conversation is worth a listen.

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you find a preschool franchise that actually fits your educational philosophy and business goals? Amber Stravlo shares how choosing Ivybrook Academy helped her grow enrollment from 40 to 162 children in one year while building a school centered on individualized learning, strong relationships, and family trust.

Kate Woodward Young talks with Amber about preschool franchising, childcare business growth, enrollment strategies, curriculum, community building, and franchise support. From evaluating franchise models to using local Facebook groups, Google visibility, events, and relationship-based tours, Amber shares practical lessons for childcare owners, directors, and aspiring franchisees who want a proven business model without losing their mission.

Listen to learn more about making the right decisions for your center!

www.ivybrookacademy.com/lubbock
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amber-stravlo-b658691b4
Email: [email protected]

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

What if the stress and overwhelm you’re carrying isn’t just stress but unresolved grief? Grief recovery specialist Vickie Hagedorn joins Kate for a powerful conversation about how grief can show up far beyond death or divorce, especially during major life transitions like retirement, menopause, moving, job loss, empty nesting, and children starting school.

Vickie shares practical tools for grief recovery, emotional healing, leadership, parenting, and relationships, and explains why simply “pushing through” or compartmentalizing doesn’t always work. For early childhood educators, childcare leaders, parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating change, this episode offers a fresh perspective on grief and why becoming emotionally complete may be the key to moving forward.

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

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What does co-regulation really look like when a classroom is chaotic, and everyone is overwhelmed? Kate Woodward Young talks with Camille from Strengthen Hands about self-regulation, emotional development, behavior support, and social-emotional learning in early childhood. They explore how educators can respond in those critical moments with connection and intention instead of simply telling children to “calm down.”

Camille shares practical strategies for supporting overwhelmed educators, creating brave spaces, and using children’s books to open meaningful conversations about identity, emotions, and social-emotional development. If you’re an early childhood educator, director, or teacher leader looking for better ways to support children—and yourself—through big emotions, this conversation is worth a listen.

Connect with our guest:
Website: StrengthenHands.com
Instagram: @StrengthenHands
YouTube: @StrengthenHandsEDU

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

What if your next growth move isn’t another childcare location—but a whole new business model? Krisana Puccio shares how Pineapple School grew from one bilingual, family-centered child care program into a three-campus operation with a franchise strategy designed for sustainable growth.

Kate Woodward Young and Krisana explore childcare expansion, franchising, business systems, EOS, leadership, and scalable operations, including what it takes to build the legal, financial, marketing, and operational foundation for growth. If you’re a childcare owner or director wondering whether your successful program could become something bigger, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to scale without losing what makes your school special.

Learn more about our guest: www.pineappleschool.com

www.ownapineappleschool.com

www.linkedin.com/in/krisana-puccio 

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

What should every childcare owner know before signing a lease or starting a build-out? Kate Woodward Young talks with Mary Hornbeck, a Kansas City childcare operator who grew from one classroom to four locations, about childcare facility leases, landlord negotiations, build-outs, expansion, and protecting your budget.

Mary shares hard-earned lessons on negotiating long-term leases, rent-free months, build-out costs, and hidden expenses, plus why asking the right questions can save childcare owners thousands of dollars and countless headaches. If you’re a childcare owner, director, or operator considering a new facility, expansion, or lease, this episode is packed with practical advice you’ll want to hear before signing on the dotted line.

To learn more: MSH-Strategies.com
To contact Mary: [email protected]

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building real relationships that lead to trust, referrals, and opportunity. Kate Woodward Young and Tiffany Mason share practical strategies for networking, relationship building, local marketing, and business growth, including how to make meaningful connections in person and follow up in a way people remember.

Whether you’re an early childhood leader, childcare owner, or local business owner, this episode will help you become more confident, memorable, and intentional with your networking. From the “Know, Like, and Trust” factor to the power of a great follow-up, you’ll walk away with simple strategies you can put to work immediately.

The Link Up Lounge Podcast (about networking): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-link-up-lounge-strategic-networking-for-small-business/id1823904704
Tiffany's website: https://tiffanymason.me/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Tiffany_R_Mason

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

What if your staffing problem isn’t a hiring problem; it’s a leadership and retention problem? Kate Woodward Young and Erica Saccoccio explore how childcare directors and owners can recognize hidden leaders, strengthen staff development, and build a pipeline of future leaders from within their own teams.

From onboarding and teacher buddies to meaningful recognition, professional development, and succession planning, this episode offers practical strategies for employee retention, staff engagement, leadership development, and childcare business growth. If you want to build a team that feels valued, supported, and excited to stay, this conversation is a must-listen.

Check out this episode's sponsor:  tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations

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 Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!