ChildCare Conversations

By Kate Woodward Young (co-founder Carrie Casey)

Childcare Conversations was founded by cousins Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed., PCC, and Carrie Casey, MBA, to create practical, honest conversations about the real business and leadership challenges fa

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· Business

4.9

99 ratings

FAQs about ChildCare Conversations:

How many episodes does ChildCare Conversations have?

The podcast currently has 394 episodes available.

Best of ChildCare Conversations

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: 380: The Lease Negotiation Lessons That Saved a Childcare Business With Mary Hornbeck
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!
September 17, 202632min
Number 2: 379: The 15-Second Pitch That Gets People to Remember You With Tiffany Mason
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://www.virtuallyyouva.com/ 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!
September 15, 202631min
Number 3: 372: You Can’t Have a Yes Without a Why With Carla Ward
Send us Fan Mail What if the behavior you’re trying to manage isn’t really a child problem—but an environment problem? Kate Woodward Young sits down with Carla Ward, early childhood educator, director, entrepreneur, and host of The Everything EC Podcast, for a candid conversation about challenging the “way we’ve always done it” in early childhood. From creating “yes spaces” that give children more autonomy and agency to replacing pre-designed toys with open-ended materials, Carla shares practical ways to rethink classroom environments, reduce power struggles, and understand what children’s behavior is really telling us. Carla and Kate also explore why more rules and control can sometimes create more challenging behavior, how to turn a safety-based “no” into a meaningful “yes,” and why Pinterest-perfect classrooms don’t always support real learning. Whether you’re an educator, director, owner, or administrator, this episode offers a fresh lens on behavior, leadership, and responsive teaching—and plenty of practical ideas you can put into action. If you’re ready to create classrooms where children and teachers have more freedom to learn, explore, and thrive, this conversation might change the way you see behavior forever. Learn more about Carla: YES Spaces Masterclass- https://carlatheece.com/yes-spaces-masterclass Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlatheece LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-ward/ 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!
August 20, 202627min
Number 4: 371: Finding Your Fire in Early Childhood Education with LaTroya of The Preschool Posse
Send us Fan Mail What happens when the passion that brought you into early childhood education starts to feel like burnout? Kate Woodward Young sits down with LaTroya B. of The Preschool Posse for an honest, energizing conversation about finding your fire again—and realizing you don't have to do this work alone. They talk burnout, mentorship, leadership, and the kind of practical support educators really need when the pressure of the classroom and life outside of work start piling up. From recognizing the warning signs of burnout to stepping into leadership with skills that go beyond teaching, this episode explores how community and connection can help educators stay in the field with purpose, confidence, and less isolation. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stepped into a leadership role and wondered, “Now what?”, or simply wished you had a community that truly understood the work—this conversation is for you. Learn more about Preschool Posse: www.thepreschoolposse.com 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!
August 18, 202622min
Number 5: 370: Game-Changers for Managing Staff Training and Compliance in Childcare with Cindy Morgan
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Cindy Morgan tackle something every childcare director needs but few actually have: written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for staff training and compliance. They dig into why keeping training records organized is such a common violation across states, and how easy it is to lose track of CPR renewals, background checks, and training hours. They share some really practical tips, like having staff swap files during meetings for a fresh set of eyes, and how automated reminders in tools like One Place Childcare can seriously save your sanity! 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!
August 13, 202622min