The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Grab your coffee (or your third cup of the day—no judgment here) and pull up a seat, because The Childcare Director’s Chair is where fierce, fabulous, and focused childcare leaders come to talk real talk. Hosted by heart-centered leader Erica Saccoccio, this daily Monday-through-Friday podcast drops fresh episodes at 1:00 AM—so it’s ready when you are (whether you're an early riser or listening while prepping your classroom with one hand and sipping caffeine with the other).
This show is your weekday dose of inspiration, connection, and straight-up strategy for navigating the beautiful chaos of early childhood education. We’re talking about the people behind the programs—teachers, kiddos, families, and YOU. Whether you're handling toddler tantrums at 10 and staffing drama by noon, or trying to grow your team without losing your mind, this space is for you. We tackle the tough stuff, celebrate the wins, and dish out practical ways to grow your center, your community, and your leadership—all while keeping it real and rooted in love.
If you’re a childcare director juggling it all and still showing up with heart and hustle, this show is your safe haven and secret weapon.
💥 Real challenges.
❤️ Real growth.
✨ Real talk from the director’s chair.
📅 New episodes every weekday at 1:00 AM.
Episodes
356 episodes
354 "Real Talk: Milestones, Maybes & Meltdowns"
In this no-fluff episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, host Erica Saccoccio teams up with child development pro Dr. Jamie Lewis for a real, raw conversation about one of the trickiest parts of your job: helpin...
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27:11
353 Climbing Together: What Great Director–Lead Teacher Partnerships Look Like
In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the vital partnership between directors and lead teachers in early childhood education. She emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and shared vision in build...
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10:58
352 From Vision to Impact: How Innovation is Reshaping the ECE Workforce
In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Krzanowski discusses the transformative changes in early childhood education, focusing on innovative workforce solutions and the importance of building career pathways for educators. She highlights the challenges o...
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38:30
351 What Children Teach Us (If We’re Paying Attention)
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, the host emphasizes the invaluable lessons that children teach us and how these insights can reshape leadership styles in childcare settings. By observing children, leaders can learn about pat...
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11:50
350 Building Brains Through Everyday Moments
In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio emphasizes the importance of everyday moments in early childhood education, highlighting how these interactions contribute to brain development. She discusses the c...
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11:06
349 Support Speaks Louder: Why Showing Up Matters Most
In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica reflects on the recent conference and emphasizes the importance of focusing on others in leadership roles within early childhood education. She discusses how prioritizing the well-...
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25:39
348 Real Talk for Real Leaders: Owning Your Worth in the Director’s Chair
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the importance of addressing negative mindsets in childcare leadership, including imposter syndrome and perfectionism. She emphasizes the need for self-compassio...
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19:54
347 Think Like a Leader: 3 Mindsets That Change Everything
In this episode of the Child Care Directors podcast, the host discusses three essential mindsets that differentiate good leaders from transformative leaders: the resilient mindset, the empowering mindset, and the solution-oriented mindset. The ...
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18:29
346 Mindset Matters: Why Growth Doesn’t Stop at the Top
In this episode, Erica discusses the importance of cultivating a strong leadership mindset for veteran childcare directors. She emphasizes the need for reflective practices, the significance of a supportive network, and the value of continuous ...
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15:17
345 Change Your Mindset Change Your Life
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the critical mindset needed for effective leadership in childcare. She emphasizes the importance of sustainability, vision, and emotional regulation in l...
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18:02
344 From Burnout to Buy-In
In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, the host discusses the pressing issue of staff disengagement in childcare settings. The conversation delves into the complexities behind this disengagement, including burnout, lack of r...
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15:49
343 When Less Is More
In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, Erica discusses the often counterintuitive strategy of downsizing childcare programs. She explores the reasons why consolidating locations can be beneficial, especially in uncertain econ...
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17:31
342 Ratios, Relief, and Reality: Solving the Staffing Struggle
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, the host discusses the challenges childcare providers face with staffing and scheduling, particularly when staff call out unexpectedly. The conversation emphasizes the importance of as...
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15:12
341 No-Show, No Problem: Creative Fixes for Staffing Gaps
In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica Sacoccio discusses the challenges of managing staff call-outs in childcare settings. She shares personal experiences and insights from a recent conference, emphasizing the im...
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13:14
340 Sensory Play, Brain Growth: Unlocking Early Development
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, Erica Saccoccio discusses the critical role of sensory activities in supporting brain development for infants and toddlers with experts Lena and Sanja. They explore how sensory play is...
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32:12
339 Vacation Vibes & Conference Hype: Erica’s Florida Getaway + Exciting Updates!
Join us for a special episode as our host, Erica Saccoccio, takes a well-deserved vacation with her family in sunny Florida! While she's away, we’ve got exciting updates on upcoming shows and sneak peeks of what's to come at our Early Chi...
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4:43
338 The Power of Kindness in Education
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica sits down with Ruth Mealy, a family child care owner and children's author, to discuss the vital role of kindness in early childhood education. They explore how teaching kindness...
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31:19
337 Being the CEO of Your Childcare Business: Impact, Income, and Advocacy with Jerletha McDonald
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio and guest Jerletha McDonald discuss the vital role of women in childcare leadership, the importance of economic mobility, and the need for business developme...
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25:12
336 Mentor Magic: Coaching Secrets Every Director Needs
In this episode, Erica Saccoccio and Rashawn Webb discuss the critical roles of coaching and mentoring in childcare leadership. They explore the differences between coaching and mentoring, the importance of building relationships, and the chall...
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17:18
335 Money, Programs, & Magic: Transforming Your Child Care Center
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with Khadijah Lewis-Khan, a leader in early childhood education, about the challenges and strategies in managing a childcare center. They discuss the importance of di...
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22:37
334 Transforming Leadership Through Daily Habits
In this episode of the Childcare Directors Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the importance of upgrading daily routines for childcare directors. She emphasizes that leadership is not just about major decisions but also about the sma...
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10:35
333 Mindfulness in Early Childhood Education: A Path to Balance
In this episode, we explore the importance of mindfulness in early childhood education with expert Brenda Limaldi . We discuss the impact of the pandemic on educators, the science behind stress responses, and practical mindfulness techniq...
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24:06
332 Mindset Mastery for Effective Leadership
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio delves into the critical role of mindset in effective leadership within early childhood education. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating a growth mindset, u...
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19:19
331 Embracing Discomfort: A Path to Leadership Growth
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair podcast, host Erica Saccoccio discusses the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth in leadership. She shares eight actionable tips for childcare directors to step outside t...
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15:12