Back-to-school means new faces, new energy, and new opportunities to set the tone. But are we over-focusing on the schedule and missing the real magic of routines?

In this episode, I dive into the difference between schedules and routines, why routines matter so deeply for children’s safety, belonging, and learning, and how transitions can be powerful moments for connection. We’ll also talk about using visual schedules to support independence and calm, and why educators need their own arrival and departure rituals to thrive.

If you’ve ever stressed about being “off schedule,” this one’s for you. Spoiler: the only people who can tell time in your classroom are the adults!

Show Notes: ⁠⁠www.elfoundations.com/2024

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Why does social emotional learning need to start with us as educators? In this thought-provoking conversation with Prerna Richards of Together We Grow, we explore how our own regulation, mindset, and choices impact everything from classroom dynamics to the way children learn and grow. This episode blends insight, real-life reflection, and practical ideas you can start using right away.Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/203

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Learn how to plan in early childhood education with calm, connection, and intention. In this episode, Carla Ward shares ECE planning tips for merging curriculum expectations with play-based learning, improving classroom flow, and making documentation purposeful.

Show Notes: ⁠www.elfoundations.com/202

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Meeghan Carter, a bilingual educator with over 25 years of experience, to explore how early exposure to a second language can boost empathy, cultural awareness, and cognitive development. Meeghan shares her journey building Spanish language programs for young children and offers simple, accessible ways for educators to bring foreign language into their classroom, even if they only speak English themselves.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/201

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It’s the 200th episode of The Everything ECE Podcast! To celebrate, I’m bringing you a roundup of powerful insights from 10 incredible expert guests whose voices continue to shape and elevate the early learning profession.

From equity and neurodiversity to art, literacy, and documentation, this episode is filled with the kind of reflections that remind us why we do this work—and how we can keep doing it better.

Whether you’re a new educator or a seasoned leader, these quotes will leave you thinking, “Yes. This is exactly what I needed to hear.”

Featured guests: Emily Clark, Dr. Jasmine Moses, Cathy Belgrave, Beck Goodman, Ron Grady, Laura Shea, Angelica Celinska, Laura Hansen, Robyn Papworth, and Monica Maddison.

Bonus: We’ve got a fresh new podcast cover! Take a peek when you hit play.Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/200Join the ECE Latte Lounge FREE for the month of August: www.elfoundations.com/200latte

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Have you ever wondered if we’re identifying literacy challenges early enough in young children? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward is joined by Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift to talk about the importance of early detection, the key signs to look for, and practical strategies educators can use to support children who are struggling with reading.

Whether you're in a preschool classroom or supporting early learners at home, this conversation will give you the tools and confidence to make a difference.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/199

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores the power and potential of intergenerational teams in early childhood education. With multiple generations working side by side in many ECE programs, there is an opportunity to create stronger, more dynamic teams when we learn to lean into our differences with curiosity and respect. Carla shares real stories, practical tools, and reflection prompts that will help you embrace diverse perspectives and build bridges between experience and innovation. Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned educator, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, valued, and ready to co-create meaningful change with your team.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/198

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In this heart-opening conversation, Carla Ward sits down with Cathy Belgrave, host of The Intentional ECE Podcast, to explore the powerful role of art in early learning—not just as an activity, but as a mindset. Together, they unpack what it means for educators to develop an art mindset, how to move beyond crafts and into intentional creativity, and why art is essential for connection, communication, and discovery.

From tackling admin and parent expectations to shifting your own thinking, this episode will leave you inspired to reimagine what’s possible through art.

🎨 Topics we cover:

• What an “art mindset” really means in early learning

• The evolution from product-based art to meaningful creative expression

• Why art is communication (and how to see it that way)

• Planning through concepts, wonderings, and play

• How art fosters relationships, development, and identity

• Using art to meet curriculum expectations—without worksheets

🖌️ Plus: Cathy shares how her own relationship with art has evolved, and practical ways educators and administrators can build a culture that values creative exploration.

🎧 Don’t miss this one—especially if you’ve ever said, “I’m not artsy.”
It’s time to shift the mindset and discover what’s possible.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/197Email Newsletter: Click Here

Is your circle time built for compliance or connection? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward invites educators to rethink traditional circle time practices and shift the focus from managing behaviour to building meaningful engagement. We explore why not every child needs to join the group to be involved, how rigid expectations like “criss-cross applesauce” can harm inclusion, and why proximity doesn’t always equal participation. Whether you’re struggling with group time or ready to refresh your routine, this conversation will help you transform circle time into a moment of authentic connection.

Show Notes: ⁠⁠elfoundations.com/195

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with Angela Odusanya - Registered Early Childhood Educator, Ontario Certified Teacher, and children’s book author - to explore how loose parts play transformed her classroom practice and perspective on children's creativity. Angela shares her personal "aha moment," the calming magic of loose parts, and how educators can start small without feeling overwhelmed.

We also dive into how her book Amelia’s Loose Part Art introduces loose parts art in a relatable and inspiring way - and why loose parts belong in the curriculum from early years through to Grade 8. Whether you’re hesitant about the mess or unsure how to link it to learning outcomes, Angela’s insights will inspire you to rethink how children build, imagine, and connect through open-ended materials.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/195Sign Up for our Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Click Here