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Description:
In this episode, we dive into why communication is the ultimate leadership superpower in early childhood education. Discover how mastering your tone, clarity, timing, and listening skills can transform your leadership style and build stronger teams and relationships with families. Whether you’re a seasoned director or just stepping into leadership, these practical tips will help you lead with confidence and heart.

Plus, don’t miss exclusive offers for our listeners:

• Try the Jackrabbit Care app free for 3 months when you sign up—making center management easier than ever. Child Care Podcasts | Jackrabbit Care
• Join the ECE Trailblazer Coaching Program FREE for the month of September and start growing your leadership skills with expert support. The Child Care Directors | Early Childcare Coaching Code LAUNCH

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to lead like never before! Check the show notes for all the links and freebies.

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📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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What happens when you sit under one of the greatest leadership teachers of all time?

In this powerful episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, I’m sharing the 10 transformational leadership lessons I learned from John Maxwell—after becoming a certified Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer.

These are the philosophies that shifted the way I lead my center, my team, and even my family. And if you're an early childhood leader, director, or business owner looking to grow in confidence, influence, and clarity—this episode is your blueprint.

From daily habits to vision casting to people development, you’ll walk away with practical insights and heart-centered truths that will help you:

• Lead with purpose (not just pressure)
• Build a culture your team wants to stay in
• Increase your leadership capacity without burning out
• Grow in significance—not just success

🎁 BONUS: Get access to TWO freebies in today’s show notes!
✅ A 3-month free trial of Jackrabbit Care
— our episode sponsor Child Care Podcasts | Jackrabbit Care
✅ Free enrollment in our September ECE Trailblazer Coaching Program The Child Care Directors | Early Childcare Coaching

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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What happens when Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all show up to work at your center—with different values, tech styles, and vibes?

You either end up in conflict—or you lean in, learn from each other, and build something better than any one generation could build alone.

In this heartfelt (and slightly spicy) episode, we’re talking about what it really looks like to lead across generations in early childhood education. From communication breakdowns to collaboration breakthroughs, I’m sharing real lessons from working with my own family—across several generations—on a major center rebrand and culture shift.

💬 We’ll cover:

• The strengths each generation brings to your center
• The assumptions that divide us—and how to rewrite them
• Why curiosity, not criticism, builds team culture
• What reverse mentorship can look like in action
• And how we ALL grow when we stop trying to be right and start getting real

🎉 This episode is proudly sponsored by Jackrabbit Care
– the childcare software that saves your sanity and your Saturdays.
🎁 Grab your 3 months free trial today and experience the upgrade your center deserves! Child Care Podcasts | Jackrabbit Care

👋 And a huge shout-out to the incredible teaching team at Beautiful Beginnings in Providence, RI — I can’t wait to learn from each other today!

💡 PLUS: Don’t forget to join our ECE Trailblazer Coaching Program FREE during the month of September. It’s where leadership gets real, support gets deep, and growth gets personal.
🔗 Join Free in September The Child Care Directors | Early Childcare Coaching

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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Just stepped into the role of childcare director and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right chair. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re diving into the Top 5 Questions New Directors Ask in Their First Year. From managing staff and earning respect to handling compliance, parent communication, and staying sane, this episode is packed with honest answers and real-talk leadership advice for early childhood professionals.

PLUS—two special gifts for our amazing listeners! 🎁 Get 3 months free of Jackrabbit Care, the all-in-one app for staff and parent communication. Book your Free Demo and access to your first 3 months free at sign up.

Enjoy your first month FREE inside the brand-new Trailblazer Leadership Coaching Program launching September 1st.Whether you're running your first center or just trying to survive your first year, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a little sass to help you lead like a pro. Checkout | Child Care Director

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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What do you do when everything looks like it’s working—but deep down, you know there’s another level of growth waiting?

In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, I’m sharing why I chose to invest in my leadership—even when my center was thriving, enrollment was full, and people said I was already “winning.”
Because success without strong leadership? It doesn’t last.

This episode is a must-listen for childcare directors, owners, and early childhood leaders who:

• Feel like they’ve outgrown their current systems or mindset
• Want to build a stronger team and a healthier culture
• Know they’re capable of more, but feel stuck in “busy”
• Want practical, heart-centered growth strategies rooted in real leadership

I’ll also break down:

• 8 key reflections to help you assess your leadership journey
• Why leadership shows up in every area of your life—not just at work
• The mindset shift that separates managers from legacy leaders

🎁 Plus, don’t miss the two free gifts linked in the show notes:

• ✅ 3 FREE months of Jackrabbit Care—our favorite childcare management software. Child Care Podcasts | Jackrabbit Care
• ✅ FREE access to our September ECE Trailblazer Coaching Program Checkout | Child Care Director use the code LAUNCH for your Free month

#childcareleadership #ECEtraining #leadershipdevelopment #earlychildhoodeducation #directorcoach #teamculture #professionaldevelopment #jackrabbitcare #childcarebusiness #earlyedleadership

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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Why We Can’t Pour From Empty Cups (And Shouldn’t Be Expected To)

 This episode was recorded in response to a powerful and vulnerable moment shared by Mr. Ty—widely known in our field as The Childcare Whisperer—on TikTok.

He spoke openly about reaching the edge of burnout, and it struck a deep chord. So today, we’re pausing the usual programming to talk about what it really means to be a leader in early childhood when you’re running on empty.

This is a love letter to the educators, directors, and providers who are holding it all together—but often at the cost of their own well-being. We unpack the pressure, the guilt, and the unspoken expectation to “keep going no matter what.” And we honor the courage it takes to say, “Enough. I need rest.”

🎧 Whether you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, under-supported, or invisible in your role—this episode is for you.

✨ Don’t miss your listener exclusives:
 👉 Get 3 months of the Jackrabbit Care app FREE when you sign up—an all-in-one solution to simplify your childcare center management.
🔗 Try Jackrabbit Care Free for 3 Months Child Care Podcasts | Jackrabbit Care

👉 Join the ECE Trailblazer Coaching Program FREE for the entire month of September! This is your chance to grow as a leader with mentorship, community, and support made just for ECE professionals. 🔗 Join ECE Trailblazer for Free in September The Child Care Directors | Early Childcare Coaching use the codeword LAUNCH for your free month of coaching with Erica

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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 Are you tired of just managing your childcare center and ready to actually lead your teachers to success? In this episode, I break down the essentials of pedagogical leadership—how to guide your team, align your curriculum, and create classrooms where learning and engagement thrive. You’ll get practical tips to coach with confidence, build a learning-centered culture, and empower your teachers to bring their best every day. If you want your classrooms to shine and your team to feel inspired, this episode is your roadmap to leading with impact. 

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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After 27 years in early childhood education, I’ve seen it all—and learned what really works to start the school year off strong. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Getting Ready for Back-to-School—practical strategies that help childcare directors get organized, support their staff, and welcome families with confidence and joy.

✨ You’ll learn how to:

• Set staff up for success with clear schedules and roles
• Prepare classrooms that are engaging, organized, and welcoming
• Communicate effectively with families from day one
• Organize paperwork, calendars, and emergency procedures
• Lead with energy, intention, and positivity to set the tone for the year

If you’re ready to make the first week smooth, memorable, and fun for your team, students, and families—this episode is for you! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts—your feedback helps me create more tips and strategies that support childcare directors like you.

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

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Back-to-school week doesn’t have to be boring—or stressful! In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re taking a bold, fun approach to leading your childcare center. I’m sharing out-of-the-box strategies to support your teachers, connect with families, and bring the joy back to your classrooms from day one.

✨ You’ll learn how to:

• Set the tone for the year with energy and excitement
• Turn routines into playful, memorable experiences for kids
• Involve families in creative ways that build trust and connection
• Celebrate small wins to boost morale for your team
• Lead with presence, heart, and a little flair—because boring is not allowed

Plus, I’ll show you how tools like Jackrabbit Care can simplify communication so you can focus on what really matters—building relationships, culture, and joy.

Tune in and get ready to spark joy in your center while starting the year strong, confident, and unapologetically fun!

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook

Send us a text

Apple Podcast Description:

Back-to-school season is here, and yes—it can feel like a hot mess sometimes. But leaders, this is your moment to shine! In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, I’m giving you the real talk on how to support your teachers, keep families in the loop, and set the tone for a year of excellence.

✨ We’re diving into how to:

• Coach your teachers with intention so they feel confident, not overwhelmed
• Create a welcome strategy that actually makes parents feel relieved, not stressed
• Communicate like a pro—so everyone knows what’s happening (without yelling!)
• Model the energy you want to see all year long
• Keep your eyes on the bigger picture while surviving the chaos

Plus, I’ll show you how Jackrabbit Care can be your secret weapon for seamless parent communication, freeing you up to focus on what really matters—your people and your program. Tune in, take notes, and let’s kick off this school year like the leaders we were born to be!

Support the show

📱 Follow us on Instagram for tips, behind-the-scenes, and director motivation:
👉 @ccdcpodcast

🌐 Join our community + get free resources and monthly leadership tips:
👉 Director Resources | Child Care Director

👥 Join our FREE private Facebook group just for childcare directors and leaders like you:
👉 The Childcare Directors Chair Leadership Group | Facebook