The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

550 Clean Smarter, Not Harsher: Safe Sanitation for Childcare Classrooms

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailWe all know why keeping childcare classrooms clean matters—but how do you do it effectively without relying on harsh chemicals or ov...

549 More Than Cameras: Supporting Teachers, Celebrating Moment

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to today’s episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair. I’m joined by the team from Watch Me Grow to talk about how tech...

547 Designing Magic: In the Director’s Chair with Dr. Sandra Duncan

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailThis one right here… spill the real tea… I was hooked from the moment we sat down.Live from the National Child Care Association Co...

Let's Go Leaders Live from Memphis

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan Mail“Alright friends — we are LIVE today from the NECPA Conference at the Peabody Hotel!If you’re here, come find me and grab a seat...

546 Stay Focused, Don’t Get Bitter, Get Better: Elevate Your Worth in Early Childhood Education

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailFeeling overlooked in your career as an early childhood educator? You’re not alone. In this empowering episode, we dive into how to ...

546 Share the Sauce: No Gatekeeping in Childcare

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textChildcare leadership is hard enough—so why make it harder by going it alone?In this episode, we’re talking about why gatekeeping doesn’...

545 Caring for the Caregiver: Teacher Wellness That Works

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textIn this inspiring episode, Annette Eberhardt—family child care provider and passionate advocate—shares practical, real-world strategies...

544 Behind the Policy: What Early Childhood Leaders Are Telling Washington

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat happens when early childhood leaders take their voices all the way to Washington, D.C.? In this episode, we sit down with Alyson Panza...

543 Leading With Joy: Cultivating Fulfillment and Legacy as an Early Childhood Leader

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textIn this episode, Erica Saccoccio explores how early childhood leaders can find joy within themselves, reconnect with their purpose, and cre...

541 All In: Spreading Joy and Engagement Across Your Team

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textEpisode 3 of our Sparking Joy in Your Team series dives into the heart of true engagement and what joy really means for early childhood pro...

540 The Fun Factor: Creating a Culture of Joy and Big Smiles in Your Team

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textIn Episode 2 of our Sparking Joy in Your Team series, we dive into the power of fun and how it transforms your early childhood program. Lea...

539 Spark Joy in Your Team: Creating a Culture of Fun and Engagement

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textThis week on The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re kicking off a special series all about sparking joy in your team and creating a cult...

Big Conference Announcement: The Early Education Empowerment Conference is Back—Now in English & Spanish

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWe are so excited to share a big announcement for this year’s Early Education Empowerment Conference in Rhode Island! This year we are pr...

538 Replay Is a Growth Strategy: Why Listening Again Changes Everything

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat if the breakthrough you’re looking for isn’t in a new episode… but in one you’ve already heard?In a world obsessed with new co...

537 The Power of Playful Leadership

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat does it mean to lead with playfulness?In this episode, Erica sits down with Play Coaches Wendy and Dani to explore how joy, curiosity,...

536 HR Is Not the Enemy: How to Lead, Hire, and Thrive in Childcare

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textFrom navigating today’s ever-changing workforce climate to building a people-first culture that actually works, Tameenah Adams breaks dow...

535 Mentorship Matters: Building Confidence, Clarity & Stronger Educators

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat if the key to reducing burnout, building confidence, and strengthening retention in early childhood education wasn’t working harder—...

534 Unstoppable: Your Leadership, Your Dreams, Your Rules

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textThis episode is a bold reminder that your growth as an early childhood leader matters. If you’ve been thinking about expanding your child...

533 Your Leadership Has a Ceiling—Break It

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a text Your leadership sets the ceiling for your center’s success. In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast, we explore how aw...

532 You Made It… Now What?

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textRunning a childcare center is no small feat—you’ve built something incredible, but leading it long-term requires more than just keeping...

531 From Chicago Classrooms to Active Alphabet: Patrick’s Journey to Moving & Grooving Through Literacy

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat happens when a Pre-K teacher decides worksheets just aren’t cutting it anymore?In this energizing episode of the Childcare Directors...

530 Capturing the Moments That Matter: Reimagining Observations with Famly

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat if classroom observations became a bridge instead of a burden? In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica welcomes Me...

529 Pivot or Get Left Behind: Strategic Planning That Keeps Childcare Strong

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textThe pandemic forced childcare leaders to react fast—but reacting isn’t the same as leading. In this episode of the Child Care Director’...

528 No Time, No Breaks, No Energy? Time Management for Classroom Teachers

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textIf your prep time disappears, your lunch is rushed (or skipped), and you’re taking work home again, this episode is for you. Erica is joi...

527 When Behavior Speaks: What Children Need Us to Hear

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textChallenging behavior isn’t about defiance, discipline, or “bad kids”—it’s communication. In this episode of the Child Care Direct...

526 Not a Box to Check: Designing an Eclectic Curriculum That Actually Works

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWhat happens when we stop picking sides in early childhood education and start designing with intention? In this episode of the Child Care ...

524 Stop Training, Start Transforming: How to Make Skills Stick in Your Program

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textYou’ve trained your staff—but are the skills actually sticking? On this episode of Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re talking about ...

525 When Every Second Counts: Emergency Safety in Childcare

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Emergencies in childcare can happen in a heartbeat—but how prepared are you really? In this episode of The Child Care Director’s C...

523 Stop Talking, Start Teaching: Methods That Make Staff Training Work

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre your staff meetings leaving you frustrated—and your team stuck in the same place week after week?On this episode of Childcare Dire...

522 You’re Not Repeating Yourself—You’re Teaching Adults

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIf you’ve ever walked out of a staff meeting thinking, “I explained this… why are we still struggling?” —this episode is for y...

521 Leadership in Motion: The Power of Who We Lift

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLeadership doesn’t always announce itself. It often shows up in quiet choices, shared responsibility, and the way we show up for other...

520 Beyond Behavior: Emotional Development in Action

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBehavior is just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Erica and Dr. Mahri Wrightington div...

519 Clarity, Confidence, Command: Your Leadership Upgrade

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you ready to stop doubting yourself and step fully into your leadership role? In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podc...

518 Bye-Bye 5 AM Freakouts: Staff Solutions That Work

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you a child care director who wakes up to 5 AM texts, calls, and inbox panics? You’re not alone—and there is a better way.In thi...

517 Winning Cultures Start Here: Build a Team That Stays

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textStruggling to keep your child care staff happy and engaged? It’s not about perks—it’s about culture.In this episode of the Child C...

516 All You Need to Begin: The Desire to Lead in Early Childhood

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you ready to step into your leadership, but feel stuck, unsure, or unprepared? In this solo episode of The Childcare Director’s Ch...

521 Money, Policy, and Survival: Childcare in a Changing World”

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica sits down with Jerletha McDonald to explore the rapidly changing worl...

514 Off the Runway: Building Strong Leaders in Early Childhood with Dr Kimberly Krzanowski

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLeadership in early childhood education can’t stay stuck on the runway. In this episode, we sit down with guest Dr. Kimberly Krzanowsk...

513 Invisible Isn’t an Option: The Real Cost of Childcare Marketing Mistakes

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this must-listen episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with childcare marketing expert Mark...

512 More Than a Job, It’s a Calling: Purpose-Led Leadership in After-School Programs

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this heartfelt episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Jamie Wagler to explore the true power of...

511 Women Leading Women: Trust, Trauma & Emotional Intelligence in Early Childhood Education

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this impactful episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with two powerhouse leaders in early childhood...

510 Stop Running a Charity: How Childcare Owners Get Profitable (Without the Guilt)

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with childcare tax strategist David Encarnacion to have the conve...

509 Burnout? Been There. Lead Anyway: Dr. Jamie Lewis on Resilience

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textSometimes life—and leadership—throws the kind of curveballs you never see coming. In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Cha...

509 Speak Up or Burn Out: Why Educators Need Safe Spaces

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text In this no-holds-barred episode of The Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio sits down with educator Ruth A. Baugh to...

508 Stop the Chaos—Start the Music: Transform Your Classroom Today

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textMusic and movement aren’t just fun—they’re game-changers in early childhood classrooms! In this episode of The Child Care Director...

507 Play Like a Kid, Think Like a Genius

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textPlay isn’t just fun—it’s the foundation for learning, especially in those critical early years! In this episode of The Child Care ...

506 High Fives, Hard Talks, & Trust: Partnering with Families

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textFamily partnerships aren’t just about smiles at drop-off—they’re about showing up for the high fives and the hard conversations. I...

505 The Magic Is in the Message: Connection Through Conversation

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this heartfelt and practical episode, Erica sits down with Mr. Jay to explore the power of meaningful conversations in early childhoo...

504 From ABCs to “Aha!”: Using Data to Build Real Readers

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textReading doesn’t happen by luck—it happens with intention. In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with...

503 Let Them Lead: Yes Spaces, Play, and Purposeful Practice

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this energizing episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair podcast, host Erica sits down with early childhood visionary Carla Ward ...

502 C is for Collaboration

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat happens when leadership stops operating in silos and starts building with their teams instead of above them?In this episode of the ...

501 Stop Avoiding Conversations: How Tough Talks Can Unlock Your Program’s Potential

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, Erica Saccoccio dives into the conversations you’ve been avoiding—the ones that are silently holding your program b...

500 The Leader You’re Becoming: Legacy, Alignment, and the Next Chapter

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into the leader you’re becoming—the one who shows up with clarity, courage, and purpose ...

499 Leadership Presence: Why Confidence, Clarity, and Calm Matter More Than Words

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Leadership presence is what people feel before you ever speak. In this solo episode, Erica explores how confidence, emotional regulati...

498 The Language of Leadership: Why the Way You Speak Changes Everything

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, the way you lead—and speak—has to change. In this solo episode, Erica breaks down th...

497 Stop Waiting to Be Chosen: How Real Authority Is Built

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Too many leaders wait for permission before they lead—and it’s costing them confidence, influence, and impact. In this episode, Er...

496 Leadership Starts With Onboarding Your Team Right

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Strong teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built from day one. In this episode, inspired by a listener question from Colby Ka...

495 Running a Childcare Center During Christmas Week: What Really Matters

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textChristmas week in a childcare center can feel overwhelming—attendance is unpredictable, staff are exhausted, routines are off, and dir...

494 Your Brand, Your Voice, Your Leadership

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Your voice matters—and so does your personal brand. In this episode of The Child Care Directors Chair, Erica talks with Renee Carbon...

493 From Nice to Necessary: The Feedback Shift That Builds Trust

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJoin Erica on The Childcare Director’s Chair for an honest conversation about feedback, leadership, and why clarity is one of the grea...

492 I Just Have to Say…I Love You, Listeners!

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHey friends! Today I’m taking a pause from all the leadership tips and childcare strategies to do something I’ve been meaning to say...

491 Running on Unsteady Ground: Funding, Staffing, and the Sustainability Crisis in Childcare

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textChildcare programs aren’t struggling because leaders lack passion or skill — they’re struggling because the system is built on uns...

490 Your Most Aligned Year Yet: A Director’s Guide to Centered, Strategic Leadership

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textStart your new year with confidence, clarity, and direction. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, we dive deep i...

489 The Power of Pause: Building Better Classrooms Through Reflective Practice

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text What happens when educators pause long enough to reflect on their teaching, their children, and themselves? Everything. Join us for a...

488 Love First, Lead Second: Why Relationships Are the Real Curriculum

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio gets to the heart of what truly drives quality in early learning: r...

487 Spoiler Alert: Kids Don’t Grow in a Bubble — Let’s Talk Culture, Language & Real Life

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into one of the most powerful truths in early childhood ...

486- Understanding Child Development: The Leadership Bridge Every Director Must Build

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica takes you deep into one of the most important—and often overlooked—leader...

485 Leadership as the Engine of Quality Improvement

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we dive into one of the most powerful forces behind high-quality early childhood ...

484 Intentional Teaching Starts with Intentional Leadership

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, Erica slows down the noise of day-to-day operations and invites directors to take a thoughtful look at what’s really ...

483 Coaching Teachers With Confidence: Building Skill, Trust & Real Growth in Your Center

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textI n this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica breaks down what confident coaching really looks like inside a thriving earl...

482 Calm in the Candy-Cane Chaos: Your Holiday Rush Survival Guide

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 g...

480 Don’t Hibernate! 10 Ways to Crush January Enrollment

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textReady to turn January inquiries into full classrooms? In this episode, Erica shares 10 practical, proven tips to capture every lead and ...

478 Pour the Gravy and the Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Shoutout to Our ECE Family ( Part 1)

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAter finally getting over a stubborn cold and rolling straight into all the pre–Turkey Day prep (because in ECE, the work never slows ...

479 Thanksgiving Mix-Up & a Massive VIP Giveaway! ( Part 2)

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

478 Gratitude in Leadership: A Thanksgiving Special for Childcare Leaders

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text This Thanksgiving week, Erica Saccoccio dives into the power of gratitude as a leadership strategy for childcare directors and early c...

Hot Cocoa, Checklists & Happy Kids: Winter Ready

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWinter is coming… and so are snowstorms, sniffles, and frosty floors! ❄️ In this episode of Childcare Directors Chair, Erica Sacco...

476 Finish the Year Strong — Your Leadership Game Plan for December

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio breaks down exactly how childcare leaders can close out the...

475 A Year in Review: What 2025 Taught Us About Childcare Leadership

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this powerful end-of-year episode, Erica Saccoccio takes you through a grounded, honest reflection of 2025 and the leadership lessons...

In Case You Missed It: Rerun of Our Most-Loved Diversity & Inclusion Episode

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textI’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 N...

475 Launch to Impact: Dr. Kenna Rush Mosley on Leadership Truths

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Dr. Kenna Rush Mosley breaks down her book Launch to Impact and shares her leadership framework for emerging leaders. We dive into the...

474 Refill Your Cup, Sis — Rest Is a Leadership Strategy

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text 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 w...

473 No, is a Complete Sentence! Stop Being a Doormat, Director.

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Directors, listen up — saying no doesn’t make you mean, it makes you a leader. Too many of us spend our days exhausted, stressed, ...

472 Do You Even Know You? Finding Your Direction Before You Lead

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text Let’s get real for a minute — how can you lead others if you don’t really know yourself? 🤔In this episode of The Child Care D...

471 Stop Running on Autopilot: Be Intentional, Baby!

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre you working hard… but not really going anywhere? Yeah, I’ve been there too. 🙋‍♀️In this episode of The Child Care Direc...

470 Conferences, Community & a Little Bit of Therapy 🫶🎧

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this heartfelt episode, Erica reflects on 35 incredible days spent traveling to AEYC conferences across the Northeast — from Connec...

Bonus :AI Meets Early Childhood: Are You Ready to Innovate? njaeyc interview

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Director's Share podcast, Erica interviews Malik, a vendor at the New Jersey AEYC conference, who...

469 Honoring Heroes: Veterans Day and Community Impact in Early Childhood

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text In this heartfelt Veterans Day episode, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Karen, Director of the Dear to Dream Ranch in Rhode Island, an ...

Bonus: Teamwork, Growth, Impact—Are You In? njaeyc interview

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica and Amber discuss the essential qualities of effective leadership in ed...

Bonus Evolution of Early Childhood Education njaeyc interview

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Share Podcast, host Erica speaks with Cindy Tera Bush, a fellow educator and podcaster, abou...

Bonus: The Role of Environmental Education Nature in the Classroom njaeyc intervieew

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica speaks with Hannah from Earth Friends about the importance of environme...

Bonus- Building Brains Through Conversation njaeyc interview

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with Lewis from LENA, a nonprofit focused on early childhoo...

468 Great Leaders Build Bridges (and Tear Down Walls)

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this inspiring episode of The Child Care Directorship Podcast, Erica Saccoccio kicks off her “Building Bridges” series with a hea...

467 The Art of Making Genuine Connections

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of The Child Care Directorship Podcast, host Erica Saccoccio dives deep into The Art of Making Genuine Connections — b...

466 A Day in the Life: Halloween Chaos at the Childcare Center! 👻

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a text It’s Halloween, friends — and if you work in childcare, you know what that means! Sugar highs, costume drama, glitter explosions, ...

466 Hello Wendy from Cleveland Ohio. So You Want to Open a Preschool? Let’s Make It Happen!

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this special listener reply episode, Erica answers a heartfelt message from Wendy, an educator dreaming of opening her own nature pre...

Bonus Change Makers in Early Childhood Education njaeyc interview

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directorship Podcast, Erica speaks with Tirusha Dave, an early childhood educator and entrepreneur, ab...

465 The Power of Play in Early Childhood Education an interview with Dr Dan Wuori

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Dan Wuori discusses the critical aspects of early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of play as a...

464 Listen to Understand: How to Get Your Team on the Same Page

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAre your staff on the same page — or just nodding along? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives in...

463 Bridging the Gap: Educators and Hiring Practices

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica speaks with Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, about the cha...

Bonus: Empowering Future Educators maineaeyc interview

25 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica interviews Addy Caron, a 16-year-old aspiring educator attending t...