The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

🎙️ The Child Care Director’s Chair – 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 👀)—this is your seat at the table. And spoiler alert: leadership isn’t a title, it’s an action.

Hosted by the one and only Erica Saccoccio—part coach, part cheerleader, and full-time leadership hype man—you’ll get daily doses of real talk, big laughs, and bold leadership truths. We’re talking practical strategies, mindset shifts, and serious elevation vibes... all served with love (and a little sass 😘).

✨ New episodes drop Monday–Friday at 1 AM EST—so you can sip your coffee, set your goals, and strut into your center like the boss you’re becoming.

This show is a great addition to your leadership toolbox or the perfect resource for your team onboarding sessions—because the best programs grow their teams from within. 💪

Pull up your chair, future leader. Let’s do this thing. 💼💥

Episodes

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

Feeling overlooked in your career as an early childhood educator? You’re not alone. In this empowering episode, we dive into how to stay focused, overcome setbacks, and take bold action to grow your career and magnify your worth. From recognizi...

March 26, 2026 • 15:50

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

In this episode, Erica Saccoccio explores how early childhood leaders can find joy within themselves, reconnect with their purpose, and create a lasting impact. Through reflection, daily rituals, and intentional leadership, she shows how person...

March 12, 2026 • 13:51

541 All In: Spreading Joy and Engagement Across Your Team

Episode 3 of our Sparking Joy in Your Team series dives into the heart of true engagement and what joy really means for early childhood programs. We explore how authentic joy fuels creativity, connection, and collaboration across class...

March 11, 2026 • 13:05

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

In 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. Learn how intentional joy boosts staff engagement, strengthens classroom energy, and models positiv...

March 10, 2026 • 16:47

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

This week on The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re kicking off a special series all about sparking joy in your team and creating a culture of fun and engagement! I chose this series because I’m heading to Tennessee next week to ...

March 09, 2026 • 13:51

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

We are so excited to share a big announcement for this year’s Early Education Empowerment Conference in Rhode Island! This year we are proudly partnering with members of our local Spanish-speaking community to make this experience even m...

March 09, 2026 • 9:51

Playback186 - Everyone Can Lead: Unleash Your Potential with Coach Anisha!

In this episode, we delve into the concept of legacy-building within the field, examining why many ECE professionals may not view themselves as architects of a lasting legacy. We will discuss the role of affirmations, identify the barriers that...

March 06, 2026 • Episode 186 • 41:10

Playback 187 - Childcare Bosses: Oh Snap, I’ve Got This! Secrets from Kate & Carrie!

In this episode, Erica Saccoccio interviews Kate and Carrie from the Child Care Conversations podcast. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of running a childcare business and provide strategies for success. The conversation covers topics s...

March 05, 2026 • Episode 187 • 45:35

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

What 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 content, we often overlook the power of repetition. But growth doesn’t come from constant consumption — it c...

March 04, 2026 • 7:22

Playback 269 Empowering Neurodivergent Kids To Shine!

March 04, 2026 • 31:22

Playback 160 - Child Care Confidential: Directors Spill the Tea on Industry Shake-Ups

SummaryIn this episode, Erica Saccoccio and Rashaun Webb discuss the changes in the landscape of early childhood education. They talk about the increase in the number of coaches in the field, the shift of threes and fours from childcare...

March 03, 2026 • Episode 160 • 47:07

Playback: 250 Creating a Culture of Accountability in Your Child Care Center with Vernon Mason

March 02, 2026 • 57:43

537 The Power of Playful Leadership

What does it mean to lead with playfulness?In this episode, Erica sits down with Play Coaches Wendy and Dani to explore how joy, curiosity, and creativity can transform leadership. They share practical insights on building connection, mo...

February 26, 2026 • 28:11

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

From navigating today’s ever-changing workforce climate to building a people-first culture that actually works, Tameenah Adams breaks down why strong internal leadership isn’t optional — it’s the secret sauce. They dive into clear policies (yes...

February 25, 2026 • 23:44

535 Mentorship Matters: Building Confidence, Clarity & Stronger Educators

What if the key to reducing burnout, building confidence, and strengthening retention in early childhood education wasn’t working harder—but finding the right mentor?In this powerful episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast...

February 23, 2026 • 32:02

534 Unstoppable: Your Leadership, Your Dreams, Your Rules

This episode is a bold reminder that your growth as an early childhood leader matters. If you’ve been thinking about expanding your childcare center, launching a new program, stepping into leadership beyond the classroom, or increasing your imp...

February 20, 2026 • 9:00

533 Your Leadership Has a Ceiling—Break It

Your leadership sets the ceiling for your center’s success. In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast, we explore how awareness, skills, and intentional choices determine your leadership capacity. Learn how to iden...

February 19, 2026 • 9:51

532 You Made It… Now What?

Running a childcare center is no small feat—you’ve built something incredible, but leading it long-term requires more than just keeping things running. In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast, we explore why investing ...

February 18, 2026 • 9:42

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

What happens when a Pre-K teacher decides worksheets just aren’t cutting it anymore?In this energizing episode of the Childcare Directors Chair Podcast, we sit down with Patrick, founder of Active Alphabet, to talk about how a c...

February 17, 2026 • 16:35

530 Capturing the Moments That Matter: Reimagining Observations with Famly

What if classroom observations became a bridge instead of a burden? In this episode of the Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica welcomes Meg and Anders from Famly to discuss how thoughtful documentation strengthens relationships b...

February 16, 2026 • 30:20