Shows / The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Because childcare leadership deserves a real conversation.
If you're looking for another leadership podcast filled with corporate buzzwords and theories from people who haven't stepped inside a childcare center in years... this probably isn't it.
I'm Erica Saccoccio—a multi-center childcare owner, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and podcast host who still leads in the work every single day.
This podcast is for childcare directors, daycare owners, assistant directors, preschool leaders, and…
Episodes
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
446 Confident on the Outside, Doubting on the Inside
Send us Fan Mail “Have you ever walked into your center, smiled like you’ve got it all together, but secretly thought, ‘What if I’m not good enough to lead…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
445 Budget Like a Boss: The Most Useful Guess You’ll Ever Make
Send us Fan Mail Think budgeting is boring or intimidating? Think again! Numbers don’t have to scare you—they can actually be your secret weapon for running a…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
444 Maine AEYC 101: Your VIP Pass to Learning, Networking, and Growing as an ECE Leader
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, Erica, Heather, and Morgan dive into all things Maine AEYC Conference! They talk…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
443 Team First, Growth Next: Secrets of a Multi-Center Leader
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, Sean Toner, owner and president of Beach Babies Child Care, shares insights on…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
442 No More Sleepless Nights: Getting Control of Your Center’s Cash
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Childcare Director’s Chair, host Erica Saccoccio spills the real tea on a topic many childcare leaders avoid — money…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
441 Crocs & Mismatched Socks Guide to Purposeful Leadership with Dr. Holland
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I chat with Dr. Charity Holland—aka Dr. Mommy C—about leading with purpose in early childhood education. She shares her…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
440 From Staff to Sidekick: How to Find Your Next Rockstar Assistant Director
Send us Fan Mail Your next Assistant Director could be the secret sauce to a thriving center — but only if you hire, train, and promote them the right way! In…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
439 No More Mediocrity
Send us Fan Mail Leaders, it’s time to stop lowering the bar. Mediocrity is not a strategy, and "good enough" is not good enough when you’re responsible for…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
438 Your ECE Network: How Relationships Fuel Growth and Change Your Life
Send us Fan Mail Your next big breakthrough in childcare might be just one connection away. Networking isn’t just swapping business cards — in Early Childhood…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
437 The One Leadership Trait Directors Can’t Afford to Ignore
Send us Fan Mail Your policies won’t save you. Your systems won’t save you. The leadership skill that makes—or breaks—your childcare program is emotional…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
436 No More Animal Crackers for Lunch: The Real Toll of Being an Educator.
Send us Fan Mail The truth is, the physical toll of working in Early Childhood Education is real — and too many educators are paying the price with their…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
435 Empowered Leadership in Childcare: Mindset Shifts for Success
Send us Fan Mail Join Erica Saccoccio in this insightful episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast as she explores the transformative mindset shifts…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
434 Leading with Excellence in Tough Financial Times
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, host Erica Saccoccio speaks directly to child care leaders facing the challenge of maintaining program excellence…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
433 Systems = Stability: Why Great Directors Lead with Structure
Send us Fan Mail In tough times, strong leadership isn’t just about making big decisions—it’s about building solid systems that keep your program steady, no…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
432 Leading When You Don’t Have All the Answers
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to lead when you’re overwhelmed, unsure, or completely in the dark about what to do…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
431 How to Stand Out in a Sea of Centers: Making Families Choose YOU
Send us Fan Mail The early education landscape is changing fast. With more choices than ever—state Pre-K, pop-up pods, microschools, and corporate…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
430 What You Say Matters: Why Great Communicators Make Great Leaders in Early Childhood
Send us Fan Mail Description: In this episode, we dive into why communication is the ultimate leadership superpower in early childhood education. Discover how…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
429 How John Maxwell Shifted My Leadership Forever: 10 Must-Know Lessons
Send us Fan Mail What happens when you sit under one of the greatest leadership teachers of all time? In this powerful episode of The Childcare Director’s…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
428 From Boomers to Zoomers: Leading Across the Generational Divide
Send us Fan Mail What happens when Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all show up to work at your center—with different values, tech styles, and…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
427 First-Year Frenzy: What New Directors Really Want to Know
Send us Fan Mail Just stepped into the role of childcare director and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right chair. In this episode of…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
426 Why I Invested in My Leadership – Even When I Was Already Winning
Send us Fan Mail What do you do when everything looks like it’s working—but deep down, you know there’s another level of growth waiting? In this episode of The…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
425 A Lesson from Mr. Ty — The Childcare Whisperer
Send us Fan Mail Why We Can’t Pour From Empty Cups (And Shouldn’t Be Expected To) This episode was recorded in response to a powerful and vulnerable moment…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
424 Lead Better, Teach Better: Pedagogical Leadership That Works
Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of just managing your childcare center and ready to actually lead your teachers to success? In this episode, I break down the…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
423 What I learned 27 Years of Lessons: Top 10 Back-to-School Tips
Send us Fan Mail After 27 years in early childhood education, I’ve seen it all—and learned what really works to start the school year off strong. In this…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
422 Spark Joy: Directors Who Don’t Do Boring
Send us Fan Mail Back-to-school week doesn’t have to be boring—or stressful! In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re taking a bold, fun…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
421 Back-to-School Hustle: Lead Your Teachers & Wow Your Families
Send us Fan Mail Apple Podcast Description: Back-to-school season is here, and yes—it can feel like a hot mess sometimes. But leaders, this is your moment to…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
420 Unapologetically You
Send us Fan Mail Take off that mask — you're not perfect, and guess what? You don’t have to be. In this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to lead…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
419 Show Me the Money: Childcare Finances Made Simple
Send us Fan Mail Running a childcare center takes heart—but it also takes smart money management. In this episode, Erica is joined by Kathy Jensen from…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
418 Make Them Feel the Love…Then They Enroll
Send us Fan Mail Want families lining up to enroll without feeling pushy? In this episode, we’re spilling the real tea on turning your enrollment process into…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
417 Stay Ready So You Don’t Have to Get Ready: Nailing Those Unannounced Inspections
Send us Fan Mail Today on The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re talking all things state visits — the kind that pop up when you're mid-diaper change…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
416 Pinterest Who? Real Lesson Plans for Real Learning
Send us Fan Mail Today on The Childcare Director’s Chair, we’re getting into the kind of lesson planning that actually works — not the overpriced, color-coded…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
415 Keep It, Sell It, Grow It: The Bold Choices Every Childcare Owner Must Make
Send us Fan Mail Feeling like something’s shifting in your childcare journey? Whether you're burned out, booked out, or ready to boss up to the next level…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
413 Pay Transparency in Childcare: Empowering or Divisive?
Send us Fan Mail Let’s talk about the money talk. You know—the one that happens in whispers behind closed doors or in the breakroom when someone finds out what…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
412 Hello to Heck Yes! Teachers Who Help Seal the Deal
Send us Fan Mail Let’s be real—families don’t enroll because of your brochure. They enroll because of how your program feels. And guess who creates that…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
411 How to Fill Those Classrooms Without Losing Your Mind
Send us Fan Mail Let’s be real—filling classrooms can feel like shouting into the void while juggling a clipboard and a cup of cold coffee. But here’s the…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
410 Teacher, Say That Louder! Using Your Voice to Lead Change
Send us Fan Mail 🔊 Podcast Description with Sponsor Shout-Out: In this episode of the Childcare Director’s Chair, host Erica is joined by Becca from New…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
409 You Asked, We Spilled: 5 Juicy Leadership Questions
Send us Fan Mail Our inbox? Full. Our DMs? Overflowing. And guess what—they're all about leadership! In this episode, we’re diving into the top 5 questions…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
408 Navigating Leadership in Childcare with Tym the Trainer
Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ LIVE from Miami! Erica Saccoccio sits down with Tym the Trainer for a real-talk convo on what it actually takes to lead a childcare…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
407 Degrees vs. Experience: What Really Makes a Great Teacher?
Send us Fan Mail The age-old debate just pulled up a chair—at The Childcare Director’s Chair. In this thought-provoking episode, we're digging into what really…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
406 When Titles Trump Training: The Pitfalls of Promoting Without Leadership Skills
Send us Fan Mail Just because someone has the title doesn’t mean they have the skills. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a leadership crisis…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Special Announcement Empowering Communities with Serena Mann
Send us Fan Mail Join Erica from the Child Care Director's Chair as she welcomes Serena Mann, a community leader making waves in the Hampton area of Virginia…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
405 Let That Go, Sis: When Holding on Is Holding You Back
Send us Fan Mail We talk a lot about retention like it's the holy grail in childcare—but what if holding on too tightly is actually costing you your vision…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
404 Confidence Starts Within: Unlocking Your Inner Strength
Send us Fan Mail Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
401 Check Yo’ Self—Your Mindset Is Showing
Send us Fan Mail Oh hey, Director! 👀 Before you check your ratios, your staff schedules, or that licensing binder—check yo’ self, because your mindset might be…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
402 Drama, Detours and Discipline: Rewriting the Script in your Head
Send us Fan Mail Tantrums aren’t just happening in the toddler room—sometimes they show up in the break room, the front office, or (let’s be real) in our own…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
400 Wait… Who’s in the Director’s Chair?
Send us Fan Mail Something strange is going on in Episode 400. The mic is live, the chair is warm—but is Erica the one behind the voice? 👀 Hit play to find out…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
399 What If You’re Already the One?
Send us Fan Mail What if your leadership is already changing lives—and you don’t even realize it? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we dive…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
398 Leadership at Every Level
Send us Fan Mail Leadership at Every Level in Your Childcare Center You don’t need a fancy title to lead with impact—because leadership isn’t about your…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
397 Polish Your People Skills: Leading Adults Like a Pro
Send us Fan Mail You're a wizard with the littles—circle time? Nailed it. Toddler tantrums? Handled. But when it comes to talking to grown-ups—staff, families…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
396 Boss Up Thinking Beyond Your Classroom Walls
Send us Fan Mail Ready to boss up and lead like you own the place? In this episode of the Childcare Director's Chair, Erica Saccoccio talks about transitioning…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
395 Leading with Integrity: What People Remember About You
Send us Fan Mail They won’t remember your licensing score or your new curriculum— They’ll remember how you made them feel. 💥 In this powerful episode of The…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
394 Mentor Mode: Reaching Back as You Move Up
Send us Fan Mail Who says leadership is just about climbing the ladder? Not on THIS podcast, honey. In this power-packed episode, we’re spilling the real tea…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
393 Lead Like You Mean It: 5 Leadership Moves to Inspire Your Team
Send us Fan Mail Episode Title: 5 Leadership Moves to Energize Your Childcare Team Leading a childcare team isn’t just about keeping things running—it’s about…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
392 Stop Hiding, Start Leading: The Teacher Assistant’s No-Excuses Guide to Becoming a Lead!
Send us Fan Mail Ready to stop blending into the background and start owning your role as a leader? In this episode, we’re talking all about how to step up…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
The Childcare Director’s Chair – 2-Year Anniversary Special
Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt anniversary episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, your host reflects on an incredible two-year journey of podcasting…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
391 We’re Hittin’ the Road, Y’all—Born to Teach, Here We Come!
Send us Fan Mail We’re loading up and heading to Texas for the Born to Teach conference—and we want YOU with us! In this episode, we’re spilling all the tea on…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
390 10 Reasons You Need to Start Growing as a Leader—Like, Yesterday
Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t just about policies and procedures — it’s about growth, grit, and getting real with yourself. In this short and sassy…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
389 It’s Not Just the Team—It’s Them: Balancing Accountability Like a Boss
Send us Fan Mail Accountability isn’t just about calling people out — it’s about lifting everyone up. In this quick 5-minute episode, we’re breaking down how…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
388 Keep It Cute, Not Catty: How to Handle Conflict Like a Pro
Send us Fan Mail Conflict happens—even in the best teams. The difference between chaos and clarity? How you handle it. In this 5-minute quick tip episode…
- The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
387 Legacy Isn’t Just for Legends — It’s for Us, Too
Send us Fan Mail Let’s get one thing straight — you don’t need a book deal or a statue in front of your center to leave a legacy. In this episode of The…