Child Care Rockstar Radio Kris Murray

It’s all about the best and brightest in software automation for schools this week, as Kris welcomes Daniel Andrews and Sasha Reiss, co-founders of Playground, an innovative childcare management software company. They first share Playground’s unique story of being friends since high school and creating a solution for their own families’ childcare centers. Daniel and Sasha highlight Playground’s differentiating features, such as drop-in care management and integrated payroll modules, and they share insights into hiring practices and their vision for AI in childcare. At the end of the episode, Daniel and Sasha share lessons they’ve learned on scaling their own company and fun yet powerful ways to maintain a happy company culture.
 
Register for our ECE tech webinar with Playground here: https://www.childcaresuccess.com/how-to-navigate-the-evolving-tech-landscape-for-enhanced-operational-efficiency-in-your-ece-business-may-2-2024-webinar/
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:15] Kris announces the two-day virtual challenge, The Road to Freedom.
[6:31] Playground’s founding story.
[8:38] How does Playground’s mission and technology stand out in a crowded space?
[11:37] Perspective on ECE’s past of being a slower adopter of technology, and how that’s changing.
[12:53] The “grandma test.”
[15:38] The lessons Sasha and Daniel have learned about scaling and growing a business.
[17:09] Some of the tools and technology Playground uses.
[20:09] The grounding and stabilizing force of working with family.
[22:44] Personal and professional inspiration.
[25:29] What they look for in new hires.
[26:36] Playground’s short but effective interview process.
[31:29] What’s next for the Playground team?
[33:13] Using AI to improve family interactions, especially with communication, engagement, and lesson plans.
 
Quotes:
“I think our differentiated approach is the new technology that we’re bringing. A lot of that comes down to really solving the problems that we are building software for.” — Daniel [8:39]
“If we want to be able to compete and if we want to be able to operate at the same level, we need to adopt the same tools that they’re using.” — Sasha [14:10]
“A lot of the big problems that we faced have become significantly smaller by putting phenomenal people in front of those problems. If you find someone great, you can just trust that they’ll get the job done and that you don’t need to be managing the day-to-day.” — Daniel [16:54]
“Working with family and then also building for family really grounds you on what the work you’re doing, who’s impacting, and why it’s actually getting done.” — Daniel [20:09]
“It’s ultimately the three of us against the problem. It’s not us against each other. So realizing and recognizing what it is that we’re working for, and why we’re doing it ultimately helps us get into the right direction.” — Sasha [21:25]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Playground
Linear
Webinar: Emerging Technologies Revolutionizing the Childcare Industry
 

Kris welcomes the very inspirational Kishani Woldberhan of Kids Early Learning Centers, now operating four locations in Texas with plans for expansion into Ethiopia. Kishani talks about bringing Montessori-inspired education to underserved communities, and her vision for building two new schools in Ethiopia with a combined capacity of over 3,000 students. She offers valuable advice on setting clear goals, implementing strong systems and accountability, and using technology like Slack and QR codes to effectively lead a growing business. She and Kris also talk about embracing the difficult things and realizing the sky's the limit when it comes to realizing your vision.
 
Key Takeaways: 
[7:12] Kishani joins the show from Arlington, Texas, and talks more about Kids Early Learning Centers.
[7:39] Kishani talks about the four locations currently running and the plan to expand to Ethiopia.
[10:11] Fun Facts: Kishani came to the United States on a VISA as a Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka. She is now a mother of five and a grandma!
[13:30] Buying a center during the pandemic but opening it in 2021.
[14:50] What sets KIDS Early Learning Centers apart in the market.
[17:54] Working with Grow Your Center.
[20:16] How they made their vision become a reality and why they are bringing the brand to Ethiopia.
[22:35] The school will be from toddlers to high school.
[26:33] Advice for others wanting to open up a school internationally.
[29:02] The sky's the limit when you put in the hard work and act with purpose and strategy.
[31:07] Keep the end in mind and work backward when working towards your goals.
[32:03] Giving your staff the tools they need to succeed.
[35:14] How Kishani communicates with her leadership team.
[41:50] How being a member of the Academy has helped Kishani and the importance of finding mentors.
[43:06] Keep your eyes peeled for Kishani’s program for a childcare management system, which will come out in June.
[43:25] Fun Fact: Kishani is a party planner and decorator at heart.
 
Quotes:
“We have dedicated teachers who love children and love to teach them.” — Kishani [14:50]
“This is a partnership. It’s not just you dropping off your child, we babysit with your child.” — Kishani [15:30]
“The sky's the limit as long as you know what you want and you go for it.” — Kishani [22:18]
“Keep the end in mind and work backward.” — Kishani [31:07]
“Nothing is going to come easy. It’s going to be difficult. If it was easy, everyone would do it.” — Kishani [31:44]
“I worked so hard on getting systems and processes in place.” — Kishani [32:59]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Kids Early Learning Centers

Aloha! In this solo episode, Kris shares more about her month in Hawaii — why she decided to head to island life, the logistics behind her adventures, and how you can use her story as inspiration to make space in your life. She goes deeper into detail about the important strategic implementation steps that allowed her to live her best life and take time to relax, breathe in the salty ocean air, and be led by intuition. Kris talks about the importance of joining a Mastermind group that fits your personal and professional goals, more about ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), and how to travel solo like a pro.
 
Key Takeaways:
[4:12] Kris walks us through a grounding exercise to bring presence and mindfulness into the conversation.
[6:52] Kris shares her experience of the major change from moving to Crested Butte, Colorado after living in Chicago.
[8:55] Why Hawaii is so special to Kris and how visiting the islands has changed her life.
[10:31] Intentionally creating space in her life.
[11:18] Embracing the flow state and being led by intuition.
[20:07] Some of the adventures Kris has enjoyed in Hawaii, including whale watching, snorkeling, and meeting new people.
[22:17] Being confident while solo traveling.
[25:37] Kris walks us through the intentions behind crafting her exit from the business.
[28:10] The importance of finding a Mastermind group.
[29:00] The pros and upsides of an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).
[35:34] Kris talks about finding the new CEO and sharing the ESOP plan with the leadership team, along with why ESOP’s can be positive for employee retention.
[45:31] Kris’s upcoming trips, including Ecuador and Burning Man!
 
Quotes:
“I am becoming every day, a better, higher, and deeper version of myself.” — Kris [6:25]
“I've created this new life for myself and I have intentionally created more space in my life. — Kris [10:31]
“You need to find a group of peers and people that are walking your walk, who are successful, and who you can be coached up with and model their success for whatever that looks like for you.” — Kris [26:35]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Maverick1000 Mastermind Group

Kris welcomes the awesome Kim Harris, affectionately known as "Big Ups," from The Harris & Tucker School in Connecticut. Kim talks about getting her structures “right and tight” and how she stays on the pulse of good leadership. She talks more about the rich legacy of The Harris & Tucker School, and their mission to create superhero influencers and a culture that connects the whole community. She expounds more on Harris & Tucker’s values of respect, integrity, and faith-based education and how she has accomplished so many goals over the years, one of which was getting accredited.
 
Key Takeaways:
[10:55] Kim joins the show and talks about Harris & Tucker schools, along with how it is a product of the civil unrest in the 60s.
[12:00] Harris & Tucker becoming an urban epicenter and growth community.
[15:23] Harris & Tucker is the only Black-woman, family-owned-and-operated, nationally accredited faith-based urban center in the area.
[16:56] Kim speaks more about Harris & Tucker’s leadership structure.
[20:56] The two big things that really set Harris & Tucker apart.
[22:03] Creating superhero influencers.
[24:28] Where did the phrase “big ups” come from?
[25:04] Kim discusses taking on her new role after her mother’s passing and her vision for growth, including national accreditation.
[27:03] The beauty of longevity in the community, along with values such as community connection and ongoing education.
[28:02] Why the pandemic was the best thing that happened to the school.
[33:26] The benefits they have seen since joining the Childcare Success Academy.
[36:11] Automating operations and systems.
[38:24] Plans for the cultural activities center.
[41:27] The famous soap story!
[44:13] Kim defines a childcare rockstar as someone who has helped to create a movement through transforming their community.
 
Quotes:
“This is because of the mindset of two black women who came to Connecticut, and said that they were going to make a difference and do the things that they were going to do.” — Kim [12:22]
“We walk our core values. We talk about it all the time.” — Kim [20:33]
“We can talk about all the dreams and everything that we want to have in life, but if we don’t do the action part, it doesn't happen.” — Kim [22:30]
“That's what we teach our kids here with the school — you have a chance to create your hustle, create your legacy, and to keep it going.” — Kim [44:14]
“To be a childcare rockstar is a movement that just moves us all forward. I think when you arrive at the status of childcare Rockstar, you've helped to create a movement. ” — Kim [45:38]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Go Fund Me 
Harris & Tucker

In this episode, Kris welcomes John and Tracy LaBreche from Ardent Preschool and Daycare, with seven locations in Alabama. John and Tracy share their journey into developing Ardent’s value system and building a strong and happy team. They talk about their desire to not burn their team out during the pandemic and facing staffing shortages and enrollment declines, and they discuss how they turned things around while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for employees. John and Tracy share some great insight into rewarding good attendance, their commitment to data-driven decision-making, and a few of their favorite benefits from joining the Academy.
 
Key Takeaways:
[5:20] Ardent currently has seven locations, and close to 1600 students enrolled with a waitlist of just over 500. They also have 300 employees.
[6:42] John and Tracy talk about how they got started in child care and how Ardent came to be.
[10:15] In addition to their busy work life, John and Tracy have a large family with six kids.
[12:23] Fun fact: if you are looking for a great tequila, ask John! As for Tracy, she will be reading a few of her favorite books including Traction, What The Heck is EOS, and The Alter Ego.
[16:40] Tracy and John’s commitment to making sure the people, teachers, and admin are enthusiastic and passionate about Ardent’s mission.
[17:46] Exceeding the expectations of parents.
[18:10] Ardent is also a Christian company, so they include Christian-related Bible studies and curriculum.
[25:42] Overcoming challenges over the pandemic by learning to push enrollment, stay focused, and not be complacent.
[30:42] Now they are at 91% enrollment, which was their goal.
[30:56] Coming off the Summit, John and Tracy rescaled, brought on one of their existing staff to be a full-scale enrollment specialist, and hired an internal recruiter to help with bringing teachers on board.
[31:17] The importance of having a fast response to applicants and tracking all data.
[36:44] How Ardent maintains good retention and a happy culture.
[37:02] Breaking down Ardent to Ability, Respect, Dependability, Engaging, Nurturing, and Team Player.
[47:46] The ROI of academy membership.
[46:22] Culture is the glue that will hold you together in the face of challenges.
 
Quotes:
“With our purpose of committing to excellence in all areas, we can deliver a childhood experience that is worth the investment of our parents.” — Tracy [17:11]
“When we get testimonials or reviews from our parents, one thing that just always is a recurring thing is that we’ve exceeded their expectations.” — Tracy [17:46]
“We always focus on people, process, and service. I have the right people doing things the right away to have excellent service. You can’t have one without the other.” — John [19:00]
“You meet people where they are, and you leave them where they need to go.” — Tracy [25:20]
“A healthy culture is where reality meets the road and the value system becomes a reality.” — Tracy [46:06]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Grafton Milne LinkedIn
Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes. 
Move Your Bus 

In this episode, Kris welcomes Marissa and Sunflower from Little Luminaries, two talented women partnering together to bring art, beauty, and mindset tools to empower children globally. They discuss how Little Luminaries aims to support children through self-celebration and resources for challenging conversations using their thoughtfully designed toys, decks, and other mindfulness creations. Marissa and Sunflower discuss their individual journeys and partnership in developing toys, curricula, and other products to support children's mental wellness. They also explore how to apply non-violent communication practices in business relationships and classrooms. Additionally, they talk about how they maintain alignment as business partners living on different coasts through clear communication, sharing their passion for creating resources to positively impact children and the future.
 
Key Takeaways:
[6:27] Marissa and Sunflower talk about creating Little Luminaries.
[7:18] Their shared passion for mental health.
[11:41] The process of getting the artwork and artistic components just right.
[12:05] How the animal affirmation cards work.
[13:00] Marissa is a new mom of two and a teacher and Sunflower is a mental health and mindfulness coach in North Carolina.
[17:30] How Little Luminaries helps children with their own self-image and supports them in learning more about sustainability and how we can live in harmony with our environment.
[21:16] Fun fact: when Marissa and Sunflower aren’t dreaming up new business ideas, you may catch them lip-syncing on The Toy Boat.
[22:15] Kris picks The Rooster!
[24:38] Other products in the Little Luminaries line include decals, posters, and a mythical creature mystery pack.
[30:00] How Little Luminary helps cultivate self-love and the ways it ripples out to take care of our communities and planet.
[32:09] What is “nonviolent communication”?
[44:11] Marissa and Sunflower have learned to be rocks for each other, so they can navigate challenges and grow together.
 
Quotes:
“We both found that whenever we’re giving kids tools to celebrate who they are, instead of changing the parts that don’t fit in the box, we’re just seeing so much more pride and authentic celebration in themselves.” — Marissa [11:32]
 
“I think what inspired me to really step into mindfulness coaching is going on a deep dive myself and collecting all the tools, then starting to watch transformations happen in who I was and how I felt about myself and the world, in general.” — Sunflower [14:08]
 
“Our brains are like popcorn when we get together, just all these fun ideas.” — Marisa [24:31]
 
“I think that when we can cultivate self-love, we have so much more capacity to love our communities, to love our planet.” — Sunflower [30:00]
 
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!
 
Mentioned in This Episode:
Kris Murray
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
The Child Care Success Summit
Grow Your Center
Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.
podcast@childcaresuccess.com
Grafton Milne LinkedIn
Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes. 
Little Luminaries — use code “rockstar” for 25% off 
@littleluminaries