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You’re in for a treat with this episode of "Childcare Conversations"! Kate and Carrie sit down with insurance specialist Sam Phillips, who shares her hard-earned wisdom on protecting your childcare business. From why bundling insurance isn’t always your friend to decoding tricky policy terms (think: insurance made as easy as a Tinder swipe!), this episode is packed with practical tips. Sam’s real-life stories and her Childcare Insurance Playbook make insurance feel a lot less overwhelming. If you want to feel confident and prepared, this chat is a must-listen! 

Follow Sam to learn more! https://www.facebook.com/samthesparklyone/

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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In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat about kicking off 2026 with a fresh mindset for childcare leaders. They share practical tips on setting micro-goals (no vision board required!), finding the right mentors or coaches, and building a supportive network. Whether you’re facing enrollment challenges or just need a confidence boost, they’ve got you covered. The big takeaway? Focus on what brings you joy and remember—you’re not alone in this journey. Here’s to a confident, joyful year ahead in your center!

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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In this episode of ChildCare Conversations, you’ll sit in on a warm chat with Lori Buxton from the Association of Early Learning Leaders and our hosts Kate and Carrie. Lori shares her unexpected journey into early childhood care, the healing power of children’s love, and her passion for supporting leaders. 

Together, they swap stories about leadership, communication, and the joys (and chaos!) of running childcare centers. You’ll pick up practical tips on staff support, parent relations, and the value of community—plus a few laughs along the way.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-buxton-995bba29/

AELL Annual Conference - https://web.cvent.com/event/25f30ec2-d9b6-4485-8579-8779f7d9b318/websitePage:09fc6960-9255-42dd-b154-f54a2bc45685?rt=Cw32CnkCOkuRvS1slJkv_Q

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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In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," hosts Carrie and Carrie sit down with Jerletha McDonald, CEO of Family Tracker, to chat about the joys and challenges of home-based childcare. Julia shares her inspiring journey from hospital lab tech to passionate childcare advocate, and they all swap stories about why many providers love the flexibility and community of small, family-focused programs. 

You’ll pick up tips on building support networks, collaborating with centers, and advocating for quality care. If you’re curious about the heart behind home-based childcare, this one’s a must-listen!

Learn more about Jerletha here: https://www.adfwchildcare.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerletha-mcdonald-74705812b/

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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In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat with Denita Dinger, a passionate early childhood educator, about the magic of child-led play. They dive into the challenges of balancing structured themes with letting kids’ interests lead the way—even when programs have strict schedules. 

You’ll pick up practical tips for weaving children’s voices into daily routines, plus hear about resources like Denita’s upcoming course and a free “Top Five Play Opportunities” guide. It’s a warm, insightful conversation perfect for anyone wanting to champion play in early learning! 

Here is the link to her freebie:

https://mailchi.mp/1b5fecf26f42/denitas-top-5-play-opportunities

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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In this episode of Child Care Conversations, you’ll join Kate, Carrie, and guest Tim Kaminski for a warm, insightful chat about what it really takes to lead in early childhood education. Tim shares his journey from healthcare to child care, the ups and downs of family business, and how he became a passionate advocate for the industry. 

You’ll pick up practical tips on building relationships with policymakers, collaborating with local resources, and supporting children’s needs—plus a few laughs and “aha!” moments along the way. It’s real talk for leaders who want to make a difference! 

Learn more about Tim at https://www.tlcca.org/ and

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kaminski-74aa289/

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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In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with Susie Beghin, a passionate early childhood leader from Toronto. They chat about weaving STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into preschool life—think block play as “engineering” and art projects inspired by real architecture! 

Susie shares her Four Pillars of Learning framework and offers clever tips for integrating literacy and science into every corner of the classroom. If you’re looking for friendly, practical ideas to spark curiosity and creativity in young learners, this episode is a treasure trove! 

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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In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie sit down with Beth Cannon, a seasoned leadership coach, to chat about the real challenges of leading early childhood programs—especially as the new year rolls in. Beth shares her journey from teacher to trainer, offers practical tips on staff engagement, accountability, and adapting to Gen Z, and highlights the power of clear communication. 

Plus, she announces her new book and upcoming events! If you’re looking for fresh, actionable leadership wisdom (with a dash of warmth and humor), this episode is a must-listen. 

Learn more about Beth at her website: www.bethcannonspeaks.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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In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," Kate and Carrie sit down with Tym Smith—aka "Tym the Trainer"—to chat about his 38-year journey in early childhood education. Tym shares insights on advocacy, the importance of language in elevating the profession, and the economic impact of childcare centers. He also dishes on upcoming events like training cruises and conferences, perfect for learning and connecting with fellow educators. 

If you’re passionate about early childhood education, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and a nudge to take pride in your vital work! 

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

https://www.earlylearningleaders.org/wordsmatter/

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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In this heartwarming episode of "Child Care Conversations," you’ll meet Mrs. Nancy Sylvester, a true champion for young mothers still in school. Nancy shares how her center offers not just childcare, but tutoring, parenting classes, and wraparound support for teen moms. Her story is full of wisdom, resilience (even through her own cancer battle), and moments of deep connection—like when her girls donned scarves in solidarity on Zoom. 
If you’re passionate about supporting families or want to start a similar program, this episode is a must-listen!

Leanr more at: https://www.globalconnectlearning.com/

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://www.tryplayground.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!