The Everything ECE Podcast

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward is joined by the one and only Sally Haughey, founder of Fairy Dust Teaching (now Wunderled) and a beloved leader in the world of play-based early childhood education.

Together, they dive deep into what it really means to build a culture of belonging in early childhood classrooms. Sally shares her personal story, the origin of Fairy Dust Teaching, and how her own struggles as an educator inspired the work she does today. From making the shift from theme-based to play-based learning to creating meaningful, anti-bias practices rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sally offers vulnerable insights and practical first steps educators can take to do better for the children in their care.

You’ll also hear about the inspiration behind the Belonging First Summit, a free event dedicated to helping early childhood educators create truly inclusive spaces—without shame, guilt, or overwhelm.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Why relationships are the foundation of all learning

• How to begin uncovering your own biases in the classroom

• What belonging really means for children—and educators

• The role of discomfort in growth and learning

• How to serve children and families with intention and authenticity

✨ Whether you're new to anti-bias work or looking to deepen your practice, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take the next step.

🎟️ Join us at the Belonging First Summit — it’s free, powerful, and designed to move this profession forward together.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/187

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward answers real questions submitted by early childhood educators. From burnout and leadership struggles to career pivots and unforgettable placement moments, Carla shares personal stories and honest reflections from her 20 years in the profession.

You'll hear:

• What made her cry at work (and it wasn’t the child)

• How leadership can make or break your ECE experience

• Why she stepped out of the classroom to create greater impact

• Tips for supporting Out of School Care (OSC) staff

• Why she doesn’t work with toddlers—and how that decision started on day one of placement

Whether you're a student, ECE, or seasoned educator, this episode is filled with insights, encouragement, and a lot of real talk.

Sponsored by Tiny Tales, a branch of Growing Wonder. Discover felt story sets and hands-on storytelling workshops for educators at @growingwonder.tinytales.

Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/186

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In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, host Carla Ward is joined by early childhood education expert Amy Reyes-Hauff to explore the powerful connection between outdoor learning and self-regulation in young children. With over 25 years of experience—from Head Start Director to Montessori Kindergarten Teacher to her current role at the Wyoming Department of Education—Amy brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world insight.

As the founder of Get Wild Wyoming, an outdoor learning initiative reaching nearly 200 early childhood classrooms, Amy shares practical strategies and research-backed benefits of taking lessons outside. Discover how nature can support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being—for both children and educators.

If you’re an early childhood educator, administrator, or advocate looking for nature-based learning ideas, self-regulation support, or fresh inspiration for your classroom, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and get ready to take your teaching outside!

Sign Up for our Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Show Notes: elfoundations.com/185

In the final episode of her classroom environment series, Carla Ward dives into the concept of YES Spaces—learning environments intentionally designed to say yes to children’s curiosity, autonomy, and play. Drawing from experience and research, Carla explores how YES Spaces support independence, reduce behavioral challenges, and foster deeper engagement. This episode offers a mindset shift and practical steps for educators looking to create meaningful, child-centered environments in any program setting.Sign up for The Everything ECE Summit at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elfoundations.com/ecesummit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/184

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores the surprising power of plants in early learning environments. From purifying air to boosting focus and promoting empathy, plants bring more than beauty—they bring connection. Carla shares research-backed insights, practical tips, and how educators can start their own “plant movement” without spending a dime. Whether in a centre, home child care, or school-age program, this episode will leave educators inspired to grow something meaningful.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/183

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores a part of early learning environments that’s often overlooked—but deeply impactful. Lighting can influence everything from energy levels to emotional regulation for both children and educators. Whether you’re in a child care centre, home child care, or school-age program, this conversation will leave you rethinking the light in your space.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/182

Colour is more than just decoration—it influences mood, focus, and the overall energy of a learning environment. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores the psychology of colour in early childhood settings, sharing research-backed insights on how different hues impact both children and educators. She offers creative, budget-friendly ways to introduce colour into child care programs without painting the walls. Plus, Carla shares a personal story about a bright red table that completely changed her perspective on classroom design. Tune in for practical strategies and inspiration to create a space that supports learning, play, and emotional well-being.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/181

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Ishaa Vinod Chopra, an early childhood educator and performing artist, to explore how movement and dance can support mental health for Early Childhood Educators. They discuss the importance of emotional regulation for both educators and children, breaking the stigma around mental well-being, and how integrating dance into learning spaces can create a sense of belonging and self-expression.

Tune in to hear how dance can be a simple yet powerful tool to promote well-being in early childhood education.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/180

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward explores the difference between consequences and punishment in early childhood education. She discusses why harsh discipline methods, including shame and unrelated punishments, are not effective in guiding children's behavior. Instead, Carla dives into natural and logical consequences that support learning, emotional regulation, and positive relationships. Tune in for actionable strategies, research-backed insights, and real-life examples to help educators rethink their approach to discipline.

Listen now and learn how to create a more respectful and supportive learning environment!

Sign up for The Everything ECE Summit at ⁠elfoundations.com/ecesummit⁠.

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Show Notes: https://www.elfoundations.com/179

This week on The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward welcomes Emily Clark, a passionate PhD student in early childhood education with international teaching experience. Emily is dedicated to making educational research more accessible and emphasizes the importance of understanding each child’s unique needs. She challenges traditional standardized measures and instead advocates for quality interactions and play as liberation.

In this episode, Emily shares insights on supportive leadership, professional relationships, and the power of documentation in early childhood education. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about rethinking research, practice, and play in ECE!

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Show Notes: www.elfoundations.com/178