Shows / Quality Time Podcast
Episodes
Quality Time PodcastSeason 5, Episode 56 - Connection and Joy: A Conversation on Reframing Behavior
It’s no secret that the incredible work you do as early childhood educators can sometimes feel heavy. But what happens when we double down on connection? In…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 55 - Wrapping up Season 4
This season, host Laura Cady has had an incredible lineup of guests join her to talk all things early literacy. In our season finale, Laura takes a brief…
Quality Time PodcastMindful Moment #8
If you loved last week’s reset, you won’t want to miss another addition to your favorite self-care series! We’re continuing “Mindful Moments” this week with…
Quality Time PodcastMindful Moment #7
Back by popular demand, we are continuing our “Mindful Moments” series with a new guided meditation led by Step Up to Quality Coach Specialist, Lynne Cook…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 54 - Conversation vs. Interrogation
In this episode of Quality Time, host Laura Cady sits down with Michelle Rupiper and Brenda Saxe, two experienced Step Up to Quality coaches and Literacy Early…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 53 - Celebrating Community Through Literacy
Today, we’re talking about early literacy and family engagement — and how innovation and leadership can spark new ideas in early learning settings. In this…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 52 - Learning Begins at Birth
This episode of Quality Time welcomes Dr. Amy Napoli, an Associate Professor and Early Childhood Extension Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 51 - Navigating screen time in a digital world
Technology is an unavoidable part of modern life and parenting - so how can we use it intentionally? In today's episode, Laura welcomes Suzie Fogarty…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 50 - Prescribing books: How early literacy builds healthy brains
Is reading as important to a child’s health as excersise or nutrition? In this episode of Quality Time, host Laura Cady sits down with Dr. Karla Lester, a…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 49 - Boosting early literacy with ERS and CLASS
Host Laura Cady sits down with Colleen Schmidt, Erica Temperly, and Sarah Voss to unpack two powerful tools that boost quality teaching — the Environmental…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 48 - How to Build a Reader: 5 Simple Skills
Today, we dive into early literacy with Nancy Novotny, Program Manager at the Omaha Public Library (OPL). Nancy reveals how OPL is supporting young children…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 47 - Early Literacy and Family Engagement
Early childhood professional, Diana Svela, joins Laura to talk about the journey of providing high-quality care and the imperfections that come with it. Their…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 46 - What does high quality care look like?
This week, Laura chats with Robert Patterson and Jason Albeno from Kids Can Community Center about what high-quality care looks like in action. From sparking a…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 45 - Curiosity and Connection: A Literacy Conversation with NDE
To kick off the Season 4 topic of literacy, Laura sits down with team members from the Nebraska Department of Education to explore how to give children the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 4, Episode 44 - Introducing Laura Cady!
Please give a warm welcome to Laura Cady! You may recognize Laura from our handoff episode with Colleen, but now she officially steps in as your new host. In…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 43 - Handing over the Mic to Laura Cady (Re-Release)
(Originally released April 23, 2025) We're excited to introduce our new Quality Time host, Laura Cady! Colleen passes the torch to Laura, who brings over 15…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 43 - Handing over the Mic to Laura Cady
This week, we're excited to introduce our new Quality Time host, Laura Cady! Colleen passes the torch to Laura, who brings over 15 years of experience in the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 42 - Wrapping Up Season 3
To close out Season 3 of the podcast, we've invited Step Up to Quality Director, Lauri Cimino, for a conversation about the power of advocacy. Lauri shares…
Quality Time PodcastMindful Moments #6
This week, Lynne guides us through a breathwork exercise while reflecting on the tapestry of life. She invites us to recognize the interconnected threads that…
Quality Time PodcastMindful Moments #5
In this Mindful Moment, our coaching specialist Lynne leads us through a guided meditation, visualizing the gentle glow of a candle. Take a few minutes to…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 41 - Shaping Policy with Powerful Voices
How can we, as advocates, shape policy? Jodi-Renee (JR) Girón, Grassroots and Advocacy Advisor at First Five Nebraska, shares how collective community voices…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 40 - Creating an Early Love of Literacy
We’re joined by two special guests this week to chat about instilling a love of literacy during early childhood. Laura Cady and Olivia Alberts join the podcast…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 39 - Caring for the Caregivers
Dr. Walter Gilliam, Executive Director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, joins the Quality Time podcast this week to discuss the often-overlooked care…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 38 - Why Play Matters
Author and early childhood expert Rae Pica returns to discuss her newest book, Why Play? Rae explores the importance of play in early childhood education and…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 37 - Farm to School Program
This week, Sarah Meyer, Farm to School Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education, joins us to discuss the Farm to Early Care and Education program…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 36, Tools for Trauma-Informed Care
We're thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite guests, Carrie Gotschalk, Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone Coordinator and Licensed Mental Health…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 35 - Quality Through Curriculum
In this episode, we welcome Catie Limbach, Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, to discuss the power of a purposeful curriculum. Catie…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 34 - The Power of Play-Based Learning
This week, we’re joined by pediatric speech-language pathologist Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, who discusses the transformative impact of play-based learning on…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 33 - Healthy Habits Start with Go NAPSACC
In this episode, we explore the Nebraska Go NAPSACC program with Ashton Figgner, UNL Extension Educator and Go NAPSACC Coordinator. Ashton shares insights into…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 32 - Nature-based Learning
Continuing our season-long theme of advocacy, for episode 2 of Quality Time we welcome Katie Krause, early childhood extension educator at UNL and Hannah…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 3, Episode 31 - Why Advocacy Matters
Season 3 of Quality Time is all about advocacy. In our first episode of season 3, Step 5 providers Liz Arnold and Shannon Hampson, both from Lincoln, share…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 30 - Wrapping Up Season 2
We're putting the Quality Time podcast down for a nap again as we prepare for Season 3! Thank you to all our listeners, especially the early childhood…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 29 - Mindful Moment #4
In this Mindful Moment, our coaching specialist Lynne encourages us to reframe our daily tasks. Take a few minutes to center yourself and find gratitude for…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 28 - Mindful Moment #3
We created the Quality Time podcast especially for early childhood educators in Nebraska. Our intention at Step Up to Quality was to uplift and support all the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 27 - Nebraska's Early Learning Library
It is a truth universally acknowledged that libraries are amazing. But what if there were a library dedicated solely to early childhood education and learning?…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 26 - Be Your Own Caretaker
What is self care? What is burnout and compassion fatigue, and are they related? Learn answers to these questions and most importantly, learn strategies and…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 25 - We're in this Together
When a child care provider enrolls in Step Up to Quality, or even when they reach a Step 5, the expectation is never that they need to have "quality" figured…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 24 - Sparking a Revolution
Internationally known early childhood consultant, online course creator, speaker and author Rae Pica joins our host Colleen to talk about advocacy and…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 23 - CHIME In
The CHIME program is designed specifically for early childhood professionals and educators, and has been in Nebraska since 2017. In this episode, our host…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 22 - Weighing the Benefits of ERS
Many misconceptions surround the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) that participants in Step Up to Quality have the option to choose. Learn more about the ERS…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 21 - Paso a Paso
Step by step, Carime Ruvalcaba achieves her goals. She recently reached Step 5, the first bilingual child care provider to accomplish this impressive milestone…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 20 - Classy Educators
Our Quality Time podcast host Colleen Schmit calls CLASS training "life-changing." Find out why in this episode, as she discusses the philosophy and intent…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 19 - Whole Body Classroom
Learn all about Whole Body Classroom, a FREE 12-hour training custom developed by our host Colleen Schmit and Traci Strazdas. Developed for anyone who teaches…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 18 - Affirmations of Quality
B.E.T. Learning Academy was the first program to be rated under the new Step Up to Quality 2.0 process, and they came out on top at a Step 5! B.E.T. Learning…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 17 - The Power of Simple, Joyful Play
In this episode of the Quality Time podcast we welcome the iconic Dr. Jean Feldman. With nearly 50 years of early childhood experience, Dr. Jean brings a…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 2, Episode 16 - All About Kindergarten Readiness
Welcome to season 2 of Step Up to Quality's podcast! In this back to school episode of Quality Time, Colleen and her two guests explore kindergarten readiness…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 15 - Wrapping Up Season 1
If Season 1 of the Quality Time podcast were a baby, it would be all swaddled and ready to nap! We're officially done with Season 1...and we will see you soon…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 14 - Mindful Moment #2
We know being a childcare provider is a difficult job. You are appreciated, you are supported and you deserve a moment just for you. Treat yourself to a…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 13 - Mindful Moment #1
We created the Quality Time podcast especially for early childhood educators in Nebraska. Our intention at Step Up to Quality was to uplift and support all the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 12 - Self-Care is Not Selfish
As an Early Childhood Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Dr. Holly Hatton-Bowers focuses on identifying and…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 11 - Overcoming Barriers
Jené Chapman, a Program Specialist with the Office of Early Childhood at the Nebraska Department of Education, discusses the successes and challenges of her…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 10 - It's a Team Effort
One of the most difficult parts about being a child care provider is facing challenging behaviors and the lack of support in some instances. In this week’s…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 9 - Small Town Center, Big Impact
For this episode, we sat down with Angie Lang, director and owner of Bright Beginnings Child Enrichment Center in Scriber, NE. She talks with us about her…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 8 - Continued Learning for Early Child Care Professionals
In this episode of Quality Time, our host Colleen discusses the importance of child care professionals continuing their education with Becky Morton. Becky has…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 7 - Men in Early Childhood Education
In this episode of Quality Time, we get the chance to talk with Mike Stiehl. Mike is a coach for Step Up to Quality and has worked in the field of early…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 6 - From Teacher to Leader
In this episode of the Step Up to Quality podcast, we welcome Jill Garrett. Jill is an early childhood program manager in Omaha. We talk to her about her Step…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 5 - Quality at Family Child Care Homes
In this episode, we had the opportunity to talk with Denita Julius! She is a family child care home provider and is rated at a Step 5 in Step Up to Quality…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 4 - Teaching with T.E.A.C.H.
We dive deep into the T.E.A.C.H. program with T.E.A.C.H.’s very own Julie Warford. The letters stand for Teacher Education and Compensation Helps, and the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 3 - Importance of Coaching
In this episode, we welcome Heather Schimdt, who explains the importance of coaching in both the classroom and family child care homes. Everyone has the…
Quality Time PodcastSeason 1, Episode 2 - Fearless Observations
In this episode, we dive into the two observation tools provided by Step Up to Quality for classrooms with Traci Strazdas. The two choices are the CLASS…