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Start your new year with confidence, clarity, and direction. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, we dive deep into how emerging, empowered, and visionary early childhood leaders can step into the new year with a powerful plan of action.

Whether you're running a center, leading a classroom team, or stepping into a new leadership role, this episode will help you take control of your systems, strengthen your culture, elevate your leadership, and move into 2025 with intention—not overwhelm.

We cover:

• How to set aligned priorities instead of overwhelming goals
• Why directors must shift from reactive to proactive leadership
• The 4-part action plan every childcare leader needs
• How to bring more calm, clarity, and consistency into your center
• Strategies for strengthening your centered leadership
• How to take control of your career growth and elevate your leadership identity

This episode is your reminder that you’re not just managing a center—you’re building a legacy. Step into the new year with vision, alignment, and the leadership confidence you deserve.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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 What happens when educators pause long enough to reflect on their teaching, their children, and themselves? Everything.
 Join us for a down-to-earth conversation about the role of reflection in building strong teams, supportive relationships with families, and meaningful learning environments. And—because we love surprises—we’re giving you a chance to win a 3-day ticket to the Early Education Empowerment Conference for your director. Tune in, reflect, and take action. 

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio gets to the heart of what truly drives quality in early learning: relationships. Before the curriculum, before the routines, before the perfect learning environment—comes the bond between children and the adults who care for them.

Erica unpacks why positive, caring, and supportive interactions are the real curriculum of early childhood, shaping everything from a child’s confidence to their lifelong approach to learning. She also breaks down exactly what leaders must do to build a relationship-centered culture—one where teachers feel supported, families feel welcomed, and children feel deeply valued.

Whether you’re a new director or a seasoned leader, this episode will help you strengthen your team, elevate your practice, and build classrooms where connection comes first and learning thrives.

Ready to lead with more confidence, clarity, and community?
 Join our Leadership Community at ChildcareDirectorsChair.com for monthly trainings, downloads, tools, and the ongoing support every director.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into one of the most powerful truths in early childhood education: children grow and learn across multiple worlds. Their families, cultures, languages, communities, and early learning environments all shape who they are—and who they’re becoming.

Erica breaks down how relationships, attachments, cultural identity, multilingual development, and even larger social systems influence a child’s sense of belonging, confidence, and learning potential. This episode will challenge you to look beyond the classroom and truly honor the full story each child brings with them.

Whether you’re a seasoned director or just starting your leadership journey, this conversation will reshape how you support children, families, and your teaching team.

Ready to elevate your leadership, access powerful tools, and join a community of directors who are building the future of ECE?

 👉 Visit ChildcareDirectorsChair.com to join our Leadership Community and get instant access to trainings, downloads, discussions, and monthly content designed to help you lead with confidence and impact.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica takes you deep into one of the most important—and often overlooked—leadership responsibilities in early childhood education: truly understanding child development from birth through age eight across all domains.

Erica breaks down what Professional Standard 1a really means for directors, teachers, and the children we serve. From physical and cognitive development to social-emotional and linguistic growth (including bilingual/multilingual pathways), this episode helps you see how developmental knowledge transforms classroom practice, guides better decision-making, and strengthens your entire program.

You’ll explore how to:
 • Move your team from reacting to understanding
 • Support each child as an individual with unique developmental pathways
 • Build responsive classrooms that honor culture, language, family, and community
 • Use developmental understanding to coach, mentor, and elevate staff
 • Become the “bridge leader” connecting teachers with the tools and support they need

PLUS—a special holiday surprise!
 The first listener to DM Erica on Instagram (@ccdcpodcast) with their name, email, and center will win a FREE 3-day ticket to the Early Education Empowerment Conference this May 7–9 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island… AND be a guest on the podcast.

If you’re dedicated to raising quality, strengthening your team, and leading with purpose, this episode is your Monday motivation. Tune in and get ready to make an even greater impact.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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 In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we dive into one of the most powerful forces behind high-quality early childhood programs: leadership. Fresh off our center’s unannounced visit — the final step in our journey toward a five-star quality rating — I’m sharing what leadership looks like in real life, not just on paper.

You’ll hear how my experience serving on our state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System workgroup shaped my understanding of what quality should look like, why I believed so strongly in the process, and why I encouraged other directors to join it long before my own center began our star-rating journey.

We’ll break down:

• Why vision and purpose create the foundation for quality
• How systems and structure make everyday excellence possible
• The role of people development in creating strong classrooms
• Why continuous improvement is a culture, not a checklist
• Practical leadership strategies you can use right now

Whether you’re working toward your first star rating or refining your fifth, this episode will encourage, equip, and remind you that quality improvement begins with leadership — and leadership begins with you.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

In this episode, Erica slows down the noise of day-to-day operations and invites directors to take a thoughtful look at what’s really happening inside their classrooms. Are your teachers busy — or are they intentional? Are you leading a program that truly supports developmentally appropriate practice and inclusive curriculum?

Through honest reflection and real-world leadership insights, Erica explores how directors can coach with purpose, build systems that support quality, and create a culture where every child and educator feels seen and supported. This is not about managing a program — it’s about leading learning.

If you’re ready to deepen your practice and elevate the heart of your center, this conversation is your next step.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

I n this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica breaks down what confident coaching really looks like inside a thriving early childhood program. No fluff, no corporate jargon—just real strategies you can use today to guide teachers, strengthen your culture, and raise the quality of your entire center. You’ll learn how to hold stronger coaching conversations, give feedback that actually sticks, and build trust with every member of your team. Plus—Early Education Empowerment Conference tickets are officially OPEN! Tune in to find out why this conference is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your school. 

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

 The holidays are here, and so is the chaos! In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica shares her essential survival guide for staying grounded, organized, and joy-filled during December’s whirlwind. From supporting overstimulated children to keeping your teachers energized and protecting your own sanity, this episode gives you practical, real-world strategies to navigate the busiest season in childcare. If you’re juggling events, parent expectations, glitter explosions, and a team running on sugar cookies, this episode will help you lead with confidence and calm—peppermint swirls and all. 

✨ Join Our Leadership Group!
Want access to tons of tools, readings, downloads, and this month’s deep dive into coaching and mentorship? Come hang out with us every Wednesday at 6:30 PM EST inside the Trailblazer Leadership Group! Use the code LAUNCH to get your entire month of December free.

 Head to The Child Care Directors | Childcare Training | 2362 West Shore Road unit 1, Warwick, RI, USA to join us! 

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

Winter is coming… and so are snowstorms, sniffles, and frosty floors! ❄️ In this episode of Childcare Directors Chair, Erica Saccoccio shares practical tips to keep your center running smoothly all winter long. Learn how to prep classrooms for cold-weather fun, keep staff morale high when energy is low, communicate clearly with families, and handle snowstorms and winter emergencies like a pro (New England directors, this one’s for you!). Stick around till the end for a Thanksgiving surprise you won’t want to miss—because your center can survive snow, snot, and short days…and still come out smiling.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.