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In this podcast episode, Carrie, Kate, and guest Jenna Warriner discuss the necessity of raising tuition rates in childcare centers. They provide strategies for determining appropriate increases, such as benchmarking against local centers, considering inflation, and evaluating the cost of quality care. The speakers emphasize aligning staff pay with tuition rates and ensuring budget sustainability. They also stress the importance of transparent communication with parents, recommending timely announcements and various methods like meetings and app notifications. Overall, the episode offers insights into balancing affordability with quality care and ensuring smooth family transitions.

Jenna Warriner's Instagram: https://instagram.com/jennaspaige?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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• Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖
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• 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 podcast episode, Carrie and Kate delve into the complexities of administering medication in childcare settings. They discuss legal, safety, and practical aspects, including medication policies, state regulations, and the importance of proper documentation. The conversation covers the challenges of distinguishing symptoms from various conditions and the legal implications of administering medication. They emphasize the necessity of following doctor's instructions, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring proper storage and training. The episode highlights the importance of updating policies and handbooks and encourages seeking resources and training to mitigate risks associated with medication handling in childcare programs.

Medication lock-box: https://amzn.to/3VMxMKX

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!
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• 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 podcast episode, Carrie and Kate discuss the importance of hiring new staff from outside the childcare industry and the necessity of pre-service training. They advocate for recruiting individuals from fields like hospitality and retail to bring fresh perspectives. The hosts emphasize the need for thorough training, including eight-hour and 24-hour pre-service courses, to ensure new hires are well-prepared. They outline a structured 90-day onboarding process to reduce turnover and enhance staff success. Carrie and Kate also encourage listeners to visit their website for training resources and invite feedback for future episode topics.

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!
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• 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 podcast episode, Kate and Carrie are joined by Christian Muraira, the director of an early childcare center. They delve into Christian's journey in the early childcare industry, highlighting his unique experiences and challenges as a male teacher. Christian shares his transition from a volunteer to a director, the dynamics of working with family, and the importance of effective communication and leadership. The discussion also touches on the significance of male presence in childcare, the benefits of professional development, and Christian's future plans for his centers, including accreditation and possibly opening a Montessori school.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ECCHarlingen

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 podcast episode, Carrie and Kate discuss the importance of directors taking vacations and their impact on their centers. They explore the challenges and benefits of stepping away and share strategies for preparing staff and parents for the director's absence. The episode also offers practical tips for directors on effectively disconnecting and delegating responsibilities during their time off, ensuring the center continues running smoothly.

The Director Credentialing class: http://texasdirector.org/getstarted

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 podcast episode, Kate and Carrie host Summer Picha, an expert in early childhood education with 23 years of experience. Summer discusses her journey from working in a program kitchen to owning schools and her shift to consulting and training during the pandemic. She introduces her Conscious Classroom Certification Model, which focuses on aligning staff with organizational values and implementing brain science in staff training. The episode covers leadership challenges in early childhood programs and details Summer's leadership boot camp, designed for various levels of leaders. They also touch on vendor management and the importance of understanding all facility running aspects. Information about Summer's work and how to connect with her on social media is provided, emphasizing her Facebook page, Conscious Classroom Certification Model. The conversation ends with a mention of Montessori education and the work involved in transitioning to this approach.

Conscious Leadership Camp: https://square.link/u/9tugIfZC

https://www.facebook.com/summerpicha

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 podcast episode, Kate and Carrie explore the delicate issue of handling health problems within a childcare center's leadership team. They emphasize empathy and practicality in managing the increased workload, suggesting strategies like private meetings, task delegation, and creating temporary positions to support the affected team. They advise against firing individuals due to health issues, instead adjusting roles and compensation. The conversation also covers setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and reshuffling duties to maintain a healthy work-life balance and a supportive environment for all staff members.

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 podcast episode, Carrie and Kate explore solutions to the persistent staffing shortages in childcare facilities. They discuss the potential of hiring young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 25, for temporary summer positions, which could lead to long-term employment. They also consider the benefits of employing teachers and retirees, offering strategies to accommodate the latter's learning preferences. The conversation underscores the importance of a diverse and flexible staff to maintain operations without over-relying on expensive substitutes, offering practical hiring advice for childcare programs facing staffing challenges.

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 discuss the complexities of insurance for childcare programs with Blake, an insurance professional. They delve into the necessity of accurate insurance coverage, considering the increased construction and materials costs over time. Blake advises on the importance of general liability, abuse, molestation coverage, professional liability, and auto policies, including hired and non-owned auto coverage. He also highlights how licensing deficiencies can affect insurance rates and the value of contesting unfounded deficiencies. The conversation covers the impact of COVID-19 on insurance rates, the significance of business interruption insurance, and the need for employment practices liability insurance. The episode underscores the importance of understanding and maintaining proper insurance to protect childcare programs financially.

Blake Sanders
Aleaf Insurance - National coverage 
Phone: (972) 232-2258

Child Care Division:
Phone: (972) 312-9999
https://www.aleafinsurance.com/child-care

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 podcast episode, Blake, an expert in childcare insurance joins Kate and Carrie to discuss the challenges childcare directors and owners face in obtaining suitable insurance coverage. He shares his journey from being a childcare director to an owner and the difficulties he encountered in finding the right insurance guidance. Blake emphasizes the need for specialized knowledge in childcare insurance due to the industry's unique requirements. This episode explores the impact of market changes, the complexities of abuse and molestation coverage, and the importance of working with knowledgeable brokers. Blake also advises on the long-term implications of filing small insurance claims, such as those for stolen catalytic converters, and the significance of understanding when to file a claim to avoid increased premiums. The conversation concludes with practical tips for childcare businesses to navigate insurance complexities effectively.

Blake Sanders
Aleaf Insurance - National coverage 
Phone: (972) 232-2258

Child Care Division:
Phone: (972) 312-9999
https://www.aleafinsurance.com/child-care

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!