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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

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

Ready to turn January inquiries into full classrooms? In this episode, Erica shares 10 practical, proven tips to capture every lead and turn them into enrolled families. From mastering your follow-up, refreshing your tours, and creating urgency without pressure, to polishing your first impressions and leveraging marketing updates, you’ll learn exactly how to make the most of the post-holiday enrollment surge.

Whether it’s reconnecting with cold leads, engaging your community, or setting your team up for success, these 10 strategies will help you fill seats, boost enrollment, and start the year strong. If you want to make January your most profitable month yet, grab a notebook and tune in.

Come join us at the Early Education Empowerment Conference  Early Childhood Education Empowerment Conference – Learn – Reflect – Collaborate

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

Ater finally getting over a stubborn cold and rolling straight into all the pre–Turkey Day prep (because in ECE, the work never slows down—cold or no cold), Erica jumps on the mic to talk directly to early childhood leaders about gratitude, giving, and finding joy in the middle of everyday operations. Between enrollment, staffing, lesson plans, family questions, and holiday prep, it’s easy to forget to pause and appreciate the good… including yourself.

And in true Erica fashion, we take a moment to laugh together after discovering that a few episodes got a little… let’s say “creative” during editing and uploading. Oops! But hey—if you can’t laugh at yourself in this field, you’re doing it wrong.

We’re wishing you an amazing Thanksgiving filled with warmth, rest, and appreciation for everything you do. And don’t forget to stick around until the very end of this episode (or check out part 2), because there’s a special holiday giveaway you do NOT want to miss.

Yes, Erica was a total turkey and mixed up the delivery—
 but the good news for you?
We doubled the number of winners.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends—good luck and enjoy the episode!

Link for conference :Early Childhood Education Empowerment Conference – Learn – Reflect – Collaborate

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Today’s episode is full of gratitude, real-life laughs, and a HUGE surprise for my amazing listeners.

Yes… I accidentally released yesterday’s episode on the wrong date (cold-season chaos!), and yes… I even put the outro music in the intro. But if there’s one thing we childcare leaders do well, it’s pivot with grace and humor!

To make it up to you — and to celebrate the 16 listeners who tuned in the second the episode dropped — I’m doubling my giveaway!

🎉 I’m giving away TEN all-inclusive VIP tickets to the
2026 Early Education Empowerment Conference

 Link : Early Childhood Education Empowerment Conference – Learn – Reflect – Collaborate

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

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

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio breaks down exactly how childcare leaders can close out the year with clarity, confidence, and momentum. Instead of coasting through December, Erica shows you how to use this season to sharpen your systems, elevate your culture, and prepare your team for a stronger year ahead.

You’ll learn the five leadership moves that help directors finish the year strong — from tightening daily routines to evaluating team strengths, reviewing center data, eliminating outdated processes, and locking in priorities that actually move your program forward. Erica also shares reflective questions, end-of-year checkpoints, and practical strategies childcare leaders can apply immediately.

If you’re ready to step into the new year as a more intentional, organized, and strategic leader, this episode is your roadmap.

 And don’t forget — we’re aiming for 100 Apple Podcast reviews this summer! Please take a moment to rate, review, and share this episode with another childcare professional who wants to grow their leadership.

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful end-of-year episode, Erica Saccoccio takes you through a grounded, honest reflection of 2025 and the leadership lessons that shaped the childcare field this year. This isn’t a surface-level recap — it’s a deep dive into who you’ve become as a leader, what truly worked in your program, and where your growth is calling you next.

Erica walks you step-by-step through five core leadership practices including claiming your wins, identifying costly blind spots, strengthening your staffing pipeline, realigning your vision and values, and using her signature “Keep, Kill, Change” framework to finish the year strong.

This episode will help you pause with intention, acknowledge your evolution, and prepare to lead with greater clarity and purpose in 2026.

If this conversation adds value to your day, share it with a fellow childcare leader — and don’t forget to leave a review as we push toward our goal of 100 Apple Podcast ratings this season.

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

I’ve been sick this week, so we decided to bring back one of our most popular episodes. In Case You Missed It, this is a replay from November 15th, 2024.

In this episode, I talk about why diversity and inclusion matter so much in childcare. I share how we can create welcoming spaces by choosing multicultural books and materials, hiring diverse staff, offering language support, and celebrating the cultures represented in our programs. I also touch on addressing bias, involving families in real decision-making, and making sure our policies and procedures support inclusivity.

I remind leaders that we can’t do this alone—partnering with local organizations and cultural centers helps us better serve the children and families in our care.

A solid episode worth revisiting while I recover. Let me know if you want it shorter for show notes or social!

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

 Dr. Keena Rush Mosley breaks down her book Launch to Impact and shares her leadership framework for emerging leaders. We dive into the biggest missteps—avoiding accountability, dodging hard conversations, and leading without clear standards—and explore how to step boldly into leadership and make real impact. To hear more from Dr. Rush Mosley and other inspiring leaders, join us at the Early Education Empowerment Conference, May 7–9 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, RI.

Get your tickets here: Early Childhood Education Empowerment Conference – Learn – Reflect – Collaborate

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

Send us Fan Mail

You can’t pour from an empty cup — and yet, so many of us in childcare leadership keep trying! In this episode, Erica breaks down why rest isn’t lazy — it’s leadership.

From battling burnout to reclaiming your “why,” this conversation will help you shift from surviving to thriving. Learn five powerful strategies to protect your energy, model balance for your team, and refuel your passion for the work you love.

It’s time to stop earning your rest and start scheduling it. Because the truth is — your center doesn’t need a tired superhero… it needs a healthy, present leader.

✨ Ready to grow with intention and join a community of strong, like-minded childcare leaders?

 👉 Click the link in the show notes and use the code LAUNCH to join the Trailblazer Leadership Community. Let’s refill our cups together. Membership | Child Care Director

Support the show

The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.

WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.

To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.

Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.