The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Episodes
442 No More Sleepless Nights: Getting Control of Your Centerâs Cash
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text In this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair, host Erica Saccoccio spills the real tea on a topic many childcare leaders avoid ...
441 Crocs & Mismatched Socks Guide to Purposeful Leadership with Dr. Holland
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Dr. Charity Hollandâaka Dr. Mommy Câabout leading with purpose in early childhood education. She shares...
440 From Staff to Sidekick: How to Find Your Next Rockstar Assistant Director
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYour next Assistant Director could be the secret sauce to a thriving center â but only if you hire, train, and promote them the right ...
439 No More Mediocrity
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Leaders, itâs time to stop lowering the bar. Mediocrity is not a strategy, and "good enough" is not good enough when youâ...
438 Your ECE Network: How Relationships Fuel Growth and Change Your Life
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYour next big breakthrough in childcare might be just one connection away. Networking isnât just swapping business cards â in Early ...
437 The One Leadership Trait Directors Canât Afford to Ignore
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYour policies wonât save you. Your systems wonât save you. The leadership skill that makesâor breaksâyour childcare program is e...
436 No More Animal Crackers for Lunch: The Real Toll of Being an Educator.
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe truth is, the physical toll of working in Early Childhood Education is real â and too many educators are paying the price with the...
435 Empowered Leadership in Childcare: Mindset Shifts for Success
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJoin Erica Saccoccio in this insightful episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast as she explores the transformative mindset shi...
434 Leading with Excellence in Tough Financial Times
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this insightful episode, host Erica Saccoccio speaks directly to child care leaders facing the challenge of maintaining program excel...
433 Systems = Stability: Why Great Directors Lead with Structure
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn tough times, strong leadership isnât just about making big decisionsâitâs about building solid systems that keep your program s...
432 Leading When You Donât Have All the Answers
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, weâre talking about what it really means to lead when youâre overwhelmed, unsure, or completely in the dark about w...
431 How to Stand Out in a Sea of Centers: Making Families Choose YOU
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe early education landscape is changing fast. With more choices than everâstate Pre-K, pop-up pods, microschools, and corporate cent...
430 What You Say Matters: Why Great Communicators Make Great Leaders in Early Childhood
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDescription: In this episode, we dive into why communication is the ultimate leadership superpower in early childhood education. Discove...
429 How John Maxwell Shifted My Leadership Forever: 10 Must-Know Lessons
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat happens when you sit under one of the greatest leadership teachers of all time?In this powerful episode of The Childcare Directorâ...
428 From Boomers to Zoomers: Leading Across the Generational Divide
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat happens when Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all show up to work at your centerâwith different values, tech styles, a...
427 First-Year Frenzy: What New Directors Really Want to Know
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJust stepped into the role of childcare director and feeling overwhelmed? Youâre not aloneâand youâre in the right chair. In this ...
426 Why I Invested in My Leadership â Even When I Was Already Winning
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat do you do when everything looks like itâs workingâbut deep down, you know thereâs another level of growth waiting?In this epi...
425 A Lesson from Mr. Ty â The Childcare Whisperer
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhy We Canât Pour From Empty Cups (And Shouldnât Be Expected To)Â This episode was recorded in response to a powerful and vulnerable...
424 Lead Better, Teach Better: Pedagogical Leadership That Works
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Are you tired of just managing your childcare center and ready to actually lead your teachers to success? In this episode, I break dow...
423 What I learned 27 Years of Lessons: Top 10 Back-to-School Tips
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAfter 27 years in early childhood education, Iâve seen it allâand learned what really works to start the school year off strong. In ...
422 Spark Joy: Directors Who Donât Do Boring
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textBack-to-school week doesnât have to be boringâor stressful! In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre taking a bo...
421 Back-to-School Hustle: Lead Your Teachers & Wow Your Families
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textApple Podcast Description:Back-to-school season is here, and yesâit can feel like a hot mess sometimes. But leaders, this is your mome...
420 Unapologetically You
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textTake off that mask â you're not perfect, and guess what? You donât have to be. In this episode, weâre getting real about what...
419 Show Me the Money: Childcare Finances Made Simple
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Running a childcare center takes heartâbut it also takes smart money management. In this episode, Erica is joined by Kathy Jensen fr...
418 Make Them Feel the LoveâŚThen They Enroll
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWant families lining up to enroll without feeling pushy? In this episode, weâre spilling the real tea on turning your enrollment proce...
417 Stay Ready So You Donât Have to Get Ready: Nailing Those Unannounced Inspections
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Today on The Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre talking all things state visits â the kind that pop up when you're mid-diape...
416 Pinterest Who? Real Lesson Plans for Real Learning
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday on The Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre getting into the kind of lesson planning that actually works â not the overpriced, ...
415 Keep It, Sell It, Grow It: The Bold Choices Every Childcare Owner Must Make
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFeeling like somethingâs shifting in your childcare journey? Whether you're burned out, booked out, or ready to boss up to the ne...
413 Pay Transparency in Childcare: Empowering or Divisive?
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs talk about the money talk. You knowâthe one that happens in whispers behind closed doors or in the breakroom when someone find...
412 Hello to Heck Yes! Teachers Who Help Seal the Deal
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs be realâfamilies donât enroll because of your brochure. They enroll because of how your program feels. And guess who creates...
411 How to Fill Those Classrooms Without Losing Your Mind
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Letâs be realâfilling classrooms can feel like shouting into the void while juggling a clipboard and a cup of cold coffee. But her...
410 Teacher, Say That Louder! Using Your Voice to Lead Change
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textđ Podcast Description with Sponsor Shout-Out:In this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair, host Erica is joined by Becca from ...
409 You Asked, We Spilled: 5 Juicy Leadership Questions
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOur inbox? Full. Our DMs? Overflowing. And guess whatâthey're all about leadership! In this episode, weâre diving into the top ...
408 Navigating Leadership in Childcare with Tym the Trainer
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textđď¸ LIVE from Miami! Erica Saccoccio sits down with Tym the Trainer for a real-talk convo on what it actually takes to lead a childc...
407 Degrees vs. Experience: What Really Makes a Great Teacher?
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text The age-old debate just pulled up a chairâat The Childcare Directorâs Chair. In this thought-provoking episode, we're digging...
406 When Titles Trump Training: The Pitfalls of Promoting Without Leadership Skills
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJust because someone has the title doesnât mean they have the skills. In this episode, weâre pulling back the curtain on a leadershi...
Special Announcement Empowering Communities with Serena Mann
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Join Erica from the Child Care Director's Chair as she welcomes Serena Mann, a community leader making waves in the Hampton area ...
405 Let That Go, Sis: When Holding on Is Holding You Back
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe talk a lot about retention like it's the holy grail in childcareâbut what if holding on too tightly is actually costing you yo...
404 Confidence Starts Within: Unlocking Your Inner Strength
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSupport the showWe invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your c...
402 Drama, Detours and Discipline: Rewriting the Script in your Head
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Tantrums arenât just happening in the toddler roomâsometimes they show up in the break room, the front office, or (letâs be real...
401 Check Yoâ SelfâYour Mindset Is Showing
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Oh hey, Director! đ Before you check your ratios, your staff schedules, or that licensing binderâcheck yoâ self, because your m...
400 Wait⌠Whoâs in the Directorâs Chair?
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Something strange is going on in Episode 400. The mic is live, the chair is warmâbut is Erica the one behind the voice? đ Hit p...
399 What If Youâre Already the One?
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat if your leadership is already changing livesâand you donât even realize it? In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair...
398 Leadership at Every Level
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLeadership at Every Level in Your Childcare Center You donât need a fancy title to lead with impactâbecause leadership isnât about...
397 Polish Your People Skills: Leading Adults Like a Pro
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou're a wizard with the littlesâcircle time? Nailed it. Toddler tantrums? Handled. But when it comes to talking to grown-upsâs...
396 Boss Up Thinking Beyond Your Classroom Walls
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textReady to boss up and lead like you own the place? In this episode of the Childcare Director's Chair, Erica Saccoccio talks about tr...
395 Leading with Integrity: What People Remember About You
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThey wonât remember your licensing score or your new curriculumâ Theyâll remember how you made them feel. đĽIn this powerful ep...
394 Mentor Mode: Reaching Back as You Move Up
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWho says leadership is just about climbing the ladder? Not on THIS podcast, honey. In this power-packed episode, weâre spilling the re...
393 Lead Like You Mean It: 5 Leadership Moves to Inspire Your Team
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Episode Title: 5 Leadership Moves to Energize Your Childcare TeamLeading a childcare team isnât just about keeping things runningâ...
392 Stop Hiding, Start Leading: The Teacher Assistantâs No-Excuses Guide to Becoming a Lead!
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textReady to stop blending into the background and start owning your role as a leader? In this episode, weâre talking all about how to ste...
The Childcare Directorâs Chair â 2-Year Anniversary Special
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this heartfelt anniversary episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, your host reflects on an incredible two-year journey of podca...
391 Weâre Hittinâ the Road, YâallâBorn to Teach, Here We Come!
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWeâre loading up and heading to Texas for the Born to Teach conferenceâand we want YOU with us! In this episode, weâre spilling al...
390 10 Reasons You Need to Start Growing as a LeaderâLike, Yesterday
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLeadership isnât just about policies and procedures â itâs about growth, grit, and getting real with yourself. In this short and s...
389 Itâs Not Just the TeamâItâs Them: Balancing Accountability Like a Boss
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAccountability isnât just about calling people out â itâs about lifting everyone up. In this quick 5-minute episode, weâre break...
388 Keep It Cute, Not Catty: How to Handle Conflict Like a Pro
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Conflict happensâeven in the best teams. The difference between chaos and clarity? How you handle it. In this 5-minute quick tip epi...
387 Legacy Isnât Just for Legends â Itâs for Us, Too
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs get one thing straight â you donât need a book deal or a statue in front of your center to leave a legacy. In this episode o...
386 Say It Without Side-Eye: How to Give (and Take) Feedback Like a Pro
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textGiving feedback doesnât have to be awkward â and receiving it doesnât have to feel like a personal attack. In this quick 5-minute ...
385 Be the Teammate Everyone Wants
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this quick 5-minute episode, weâre breaking down what it really takes to be the teammate everyone wants on their side. Being great ...
384 Trust Me, Respect Isnât AutomaticâHereâs How to Build It
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs be real â just because youâre in charge doesnât mean your team automatically trusts or respects you. That stuff is earned,...
382 Coaching Over Complaining
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, weâre diving into one of the biggest leadership glow-ups you can make: shifting ...
381 Glow- Ups Start in the Breakroom
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSupport the showWe invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your c...
380 Do less, Build More
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textCalling all directors who are tired of being the unofficial superhero, janitor, therapist, and substitute teacher all in one day â thi...
379 Same Purpose, Same Passion: How to Stay Fired Up (Without Burning Out)
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou didnât come this far in early childhood to wake up one day and wonder, âDo I still even like this?â But when the stress is hig...
378 AIâm Here for You: Baby Steps to Smart Tech in Childcare
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOverwhelmed by the idea of AI in early childhood education? This episode is your warm, judgment-free intro to using artificial intellige...
377 Waitlist? More Like Great List! Turning Maybe Moms into Raving Fans
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDescription: Is your waitlist just... waiting? Not anymore! In this spicy episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, host Erica Sacco...
376 We Need to Talk (without the tears)
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYouâve got the vision, the clipboard, the teamâand now itâs time for that conversation. đŹ You know the one. The awkward, emotio...
375 Respectfully, Iâm the Boss Now
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYou got the promotion, the title, the clipboard, the walkie. But now what? Welcome to the beautiful (and sometimes awkward) shift from ...
374 Core Values Arenât Cute â Theyâre Critical
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThink your laminated list of âintegrity, passion, and excellenceâ is enough to build a thriving childcare culture? Think again, frie...
373 Your To-Do Listâs To-Do List Needs a Glow-Up
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIf your to-do list looks more like a meltdown list, this episode is your permission slip to upgrade. In this fire-packed episode of The ...
372 Thatâs Not Gossip, Thatâs Sabotage
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs get one thing straightâgossip isnât just âtalk.â Itâs a culture killer. And in your center, itâs not harmlessâitâ...
371 Stop Winging It: Strategic Planning That Actually Works
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLetâs be realârunning a childcare program without a plan is like trying to build a LEGO castle without the instructions. In this epi...
370 Boss Moves & Boundaries
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAre you the âalways availableâ director? Answering late-night texts, covering shifts with no notice, and constantly putting everyone...
369 Boring Trainings Are So Last Season: Leveling Up PD in Early Childhood
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textSick of dull, cookie-cutter professional development that leaves your team snoozing and your classrooms unchanged? Same here. In this ep...
368 Theyâre Watching You, Boo
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, weâre calling it like it is: Your team, your kids, and your families are watching your every move. Not just when you&...
367 Professional Pants, Activated
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Time to button up those professional pants and step into your leadership power â because showing up isnât just about whatâs on y...
366 Wait, Iâm the Leader Now?!
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text So, you got promoted⌠or maybe voluntold đ ⌠and now youâre the boss. The clipboard is in your hand, everyoneâs looking at y...
365 Play Big, Lead Bold with Trevor Newton
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Trevor Newton is bringing the energy and big personality to The Childcare Directorâs Chair as he breaks down why big body play isnâ...
364 Behavior, Brains & Bold Leadership
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text In this powerful episode, global keynote speaker and behavior specialist Prena Richards joins us to unpack what children with challeng...
363 Lead Like It Matters: Building a School of Excellence from the Inside Out"
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text In this powerhouse episode, Chanie Wilschanski joins us to spill the tea on what it really takes to lead an early childhood center fro...
362 Leading with Purpose: Helping Families Rock Special Ed Transitions
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre joined by the fabulous Nicole Rich Bryneâa veteran educator whoâs bee...
361 Director Bootcamp: What They Didnât Tell You About Year One
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text"Director Bootcamp: What They Didnât Tell You About Year One"Â Stepping into leadership and already questioning your life ch...
360 Take the Trip, Girl: Why You Deserve a Break (and How It Makes You Better at Work)
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textđď¸ The Childcare Directorâs Chair Podcast with Erica SaccoccioAs a childcare director, you're constantly pouring into others...
359 Proactive is the New Power Move
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Erica discusses the importance of creating a proactive behavior support system in childcare settings. The conversation ...
358 No Hitting, No Biting, No Thank You: Tackling Aggression.
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a text Aggression in young childrenâwhether itâs biting, hitting, screaming, or throwingâisnât just a âphaseâ to ignore. Itâs a...
357 The Parent-Teacher Dream Team: Letâs Get on the Same Page, People
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhen parents and teachers work together, children thrive. But when communication breaks down or expectations donât align, it can feel ...
Bouns Track Behind the Scenes of the Born to Teach Conference with Latrice
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textđď¸ Game On in the Child Care Directorâs Chair! đLace up those sneakers and grab your whistle, because this episode is bringing...
356 Why Kids Act Out: Get to the Root of That Drama
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textYouâve seen it all â the tantrums, the meltdowns, the âNO!â shouted from across the room. But what if we told you that every beh...
355 "No Mess, Just Culture: Building a Center That Feels Like Family"
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday on The Childcare Directorâs Chair, host Erica Saccoccio welcomes the incredible Chrissandra Mosby, a.k.a. The Culture Queen, for...
354 "Real Talk: Milestones, Maybes & Meltdowns"
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this no-fluff episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, host Erica Saccoccio teams up with child development pro Dr. Jamie Lewis f...
353 Climbing Together: What Great DirectorâLead Teacher Partnerships Look Like
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the vital partnership between directors and lead teachers in ...
352 From Vision to Impact: How Innovation is Reshaping the ECE Workforce
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Kimberly Krzanowski discusses the transformative changes in early childhood education, focusing on innovative workf...
351 What Children Teach Us (If Weâre Paying Attention)
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, the host emphasizes the invaluable lessons that children teach us and how these...
350 Building Brains Through Everyday Moments
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio emphasizes the importance of everyday moments in early c...
349 Support Speaks Louder: Why Showing Up Matters Most
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica reflects on the recent conference and emphasizes the importance of focus...
348 Real Talk for Real Leaders: Owning Your Worth in the Directorâs Chair
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the importance of addressing negative mindsets i...
347 Think Like a Leader: 3 Mindsets That Change Everything
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors podcast, the host discusses three essential mindsets that differentiate good leaders from tr...
346 Mindset Matters: Why Growth Doesnât Stop at the Top
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Erica discusses the importance of cultivating a strong leadership mindset for veteran childcare directors. She emphasiz...
345 Change Your Mindset Change Your Life
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the critical mindset needed for effectiv...
344 From Burnout to Buy-In
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, the host discusses the pressing issue of staff disengagement in childcare set...
343 When Less Is More
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the often counterintuitive strategy of downsizing childcare pr...