The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
đď¸ The Child Care Directorâs Chair â Where Big Dreams and Bigger Leadership Collide!
Ready to level up your child care career? Whether you're a teacher assistant dreaming of that lead teacher badge, a lead ready to snag that director title, or a director with your sights set on owning your own center (or multiple ones đ)âthis is your seat at the table. And spoiler alert: leadership isnât a title, itâs an action.
Hosted by the one and only Erica Saccoccioâpart coach, part cheerleader, and full-time leadership hype manâyouâll get daily doses of real talk, big laughs, and bold leadership truths. Weâre talking practical strategies, mindset shifts, and serious elevation vibes... all served with love (and a little sass đ).
⨠New episodes drop MondayâFriday at 1 AM ESTâso you can sip your coffee, set your goals, and strut into your center like the boss youâre becoming.
This show is a great addition to your leadership toolbox or the perfect resource for your team onboarding sessionsâbecause the best programs grow their teams from within. đŞ
Pull up your chair, future leader. Letâs do this thing. đźđĽ
Episodes
577 episodes
516 All You Need to Begin: The Desire to Lead in Early Childhood
Are you ready to step into your leadership, but feel stuck, unsure, or unprepared? In this solo episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, we explore the simpleâbut powerful truth: all you need to begin is the desire to lead.
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7:31
515 Money, Policy, and Survival: Childcare in a Changing Worldâ
In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica sits down with Jerletha McDonald to explore the rapidly changing world of childcare. They dive into the latest policy shifts, funding opportunities, and strategies ...
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17:54
514 Off the Runway: Building Strong Leaders in Early Childhood with Dr Kimberly Krzanowski
Leadership in early childhood education canât stay stuck on the runway. In this episode, we sit down with guest Dr. Kimberly Krzanowski to talk about what it takes to move ECE leadership from takeoff to touchdownâthrough innovation, inte...
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25:13
513 Invisible Isnât an Option: The Real Cost of Childcare Marketing Mistakes
In this must-listen episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with childcare marketing expert Mark Davilus to break down the rapidly changing landscape of childcare marketingâand why tr...
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17:35
512 More Than a Job, Itâs a Calling: Purpose-Led Leadership in After-School Programs
In this heartfelt episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Jamie Wagler to explore the true power of purpose-centered leadership in after-school programs. Together, they discuss why recon...
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14:24
511 Women Leading Women: Trust, Trauma & Emotional Intelligence in Early Childhood Education
In this impactful episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with two powerhouse leaders in early childhood educationâHolly Elissa Bruno and Cheryl Hoveyâfor a deep and honest conversatio...
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55:01
510 Stop Running a Charity: How Childcare Owners Get Profitable (Without the Guilt)
In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, Erica sits down with childcare tax strategist David Encarnacion to have the conversation too many owners avoidâprofit. They unpack the biggest financial mistakes childcare owners...
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18:07
509 Speak Up or Burn Out: Why Educators Need Safe Spaces
In this no-holds-barred episode of The Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio sits down with educator Ruth A. Baugh to talk about the real deal: educators need to be heardâor risk burnout. From advocating for mental he...
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26:55
508 Stop the ChaosâStart the Music: Transform Your Classroom Today
Music and movement arenât just funâtheyâre game-changers in early childhood classrooms! In this episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica sits down with Brenda from Musically Mindful Consulting to...
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14:00
507 Play Like a Kid, Think Like a Genius
Play isnât just funâitâs the foundation for learning, especially in those critical early years! In this episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair Podcast, Erica sits down with Susie Beghin, ECE expert, classroom leader, ...
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17:03
506 High Fives, Hard Talks, & Trust: Partnering with Families
Family partnerships arenât just about smiles at drop-offâtheyâre about showing up for the high fives and the hard conversations. In this lively episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica is joined by Katie and...
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24:46
505 The Magic Is in the Message: Connection Through Conversation
In this heartfelt and practical episode, Erica sits down with Mr. Jay to explore the power of meaningful conversations in early childhood classrooms. Together, they unpack how simple affirmations, inclusive language, and intention...
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21:44
504 From ABCs to âAha!â: Using Data to Build Real Readers
Reading doesnât happen by luckâit happens with intention. In this episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair, Erica sits down with Tangee Peak, The Toddler Tutor, to talk about how informed data can turn everyday preschoo...
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20:17
503 Let Them Lead: Yes Spaces, Play, and Purposeful Practice
In this energizing episode of The Child Care Directorâs Chair podcast, host Erica sits down with early childhood visionary Carla Ward to unpack the powerful concept of yes spacesâenvironments designed to empower ...
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24:48
502 C is for Collaboration
What happens when leadership stops operating in silos and starts building with their teams instead of above them?In this episode of the Childcare Directorâs Chair, weâre breaking down âC Is for Collaboration...
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26:01
501 Stop Avoiding Conversations: How Tough Talks Can Unlock Your Programâs Potential
In this episode, Erica Saccoccio dives into the conversations youâve been avoidingâthe ones that are silently holding your program back. Learn how to identify toxic behaviors, address challenging staff and parent situations, and lean into tough...
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10:17
500 The Leader Youâre Becoming: Legacy, Alignment, and the Next Chapter
In this episode, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into the leader youâre becomingâthe one who shows up with clarity, courage, and purpose every day. We explore how to step into your authority, navigate tough conversations, break old leadership...
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15:08
499 Leadership Presence: Why Confidence, Clarity, and Calm Matter More Than Words
Leadership presence is what people feel before you ever speak. In this solo episode, Erica explores how confidence, emotional regulation, and clarity shape trust, influence, and culture in early childhood leadership. Building on the langu...
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10:22
498 The Language of Leadership: Why the Way You Speak Changes Everything
If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, the way you leadâand speakâhas to change. In this solo episode, Erica breaks down the language of leadership and how your words, tone, and consistency shape trust, culture, and confidence long...
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11:09
497 Stop Waiting to Be Chosen: How Real Authority Is Built
Too many leaders wait for permission before they leadâand itâs costing them confidence, influence, and impact. In this episode, Erica breaks down how real authority is built from the inside out, not granted by a title or approval. Youâll ...
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10:18
496 Leadership Starts With Onboarding Your Team Right
Strong teams donât happen by accidentâtheyâre built from day one. In this episode, inspired by a listener question from Colby Kanas, we break down the leadership lessons behind effective onboarding and how to create training manuals that ...
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11:32
495 Running a Childcare Center During Christmas Week: What Really Matters
Christmas week in a childcare center can feel overwhelmingâattendance is unpredictable, staff are exhausted, routines are off, and directors are carrying the weight of it all.In this episode of The Childcare Directorâs Chair, we...
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7:48
494 Your Brand, Your Voice, Your Leadership
Your voice mattersâand so does your personal brand. In this episode of The Child Care Directors Chair, Erica talks with Renee Carbone Fleming about how early childhood educators can step into leadership with confidence and authen...
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30:43
493 From Nice to Necessary: The Feedback Shift That Builds Trust
Join Erica on The Childcare Directorâs Chair for an honest conversation about feedback, leadership, and why clarity is one of the greatest forms of care we can offer our teams. In early childhood education, many leaders confuse being n...
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9:20
492 I Just Have to SayâŚI Love You, Listeners!
Hey friends! Today Iâm taking a pause from all the leadership tips and childcare strategies to do something Iâve been meaning to say for a long time: I love you all. Seriously. Whether youâve been here from the very beginning, just found...
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7:41