Child Care Rockstar Radio Kris Murray

From 120% staff turnover annually to just 14% in seven months? It may sound like a dream scenario, but for Kris’s guests this week, it’s reality. Kris welcomes Crystal and Ricardo Romero from the New Mexico Early Learning Academy, currently serving three amazing locations. They share some game-changing tips on hiring the right people, onboarding, and staff retention. Crystal and Ricardo talk about working as a couple and how it helps their overall mission and keeps them both energized and focused, their approach to expansion, and the extra perks they offer to keep their staff satisfied personally and professionally. Get ready to be inspired!
 
Key Takeaways:
[8:49] Crystal and Ricardo talk about their school, New Mexico Early Learning Academy,  currently with 3 locations.
[11:05] Their different journeys into early childhood education.
[14:23] Yes, Crystal and Ricardo spend almost every moment together, and they love it!
[15:12] They share about their blended family and how their work and personal lives are fully blended.
[16:24] How Crystal and Ricardo love spending their free time (together, of course) and being intentional about breaks.
[19:31] Fun fact: if you need some cool shoe inspiration, check out Crystal’s renovated home office! It’s now a sneaker closet.
[21:53] Crediting the Academy for success.
[25:40] Remembering the basics of fostering authentic and meaningful relationships.
[27:01] Crystal and Ricardo get into the specifics of hiring and making onboarding engaging and less intimidating.
[31:14] More about how they reduced turnover from 120% to 14% in seven months.
[32:47] Getting intentional about lowering the turnover rate.
[34:24] Realizing the give and take of making staff happy and still meeting their goals while working on the overall mission and vision.
[41:09] Overcoming any struggles as a husband and wife team.
[43:08] The other businesses that keep Crystal and Ricardo busy.
[47:27] Their approach to expansion.
 
Quotes:
“I would say we spend about 90%, maybe more, of our time together. And honestly, it works really, really well.” — Crystal [14:39]
“I think for us, we thrive off each other and the energy that we have to be able to make decisions and bounce stuff off each other has been really one of the key indicators on why we’ve been so successful.” — Crystal [14:52]
“We lay it out there of what our expectations are, and communicate that clearly with each other.” — Crystal [15:24]
“I tell Ricardo every day, there’s absolutely no way we could have accomplished where we’re at today if we didn’t have each other. What we have as a couple makes us dynamic in our business and our personal life.” — Crystal [15:43]
“Intentional goals make for incredible outcomes, so we made sure that every goal we set in place is trackable and attainable.” — Ricardo [32:37]
“I think as owners, we get caught in that mindset of this is my program, this is my school, these are our rules. But not realizing that at the end of the day, we need these people, and there's a lot of give and take that has to happen.” — Crystal [34:24]
 
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.
New Mexico Early Learning Academy
Ben Newman

What are the two keys to retaining more families in your program? And do you think that those two keys also apply to retaining staff? This week, Scott Whitaker, aka the “Membership Boy Wonder,” is here to answer those questions. Scott is the membership consultant at the Child Care Success Academy, and he has some great tips on how to set yourself apart in your community, how to compete with the increasing competition in today’s world, and how to do it in a way that’s fun for teachers, kids, and parents.
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:48] Kris recaps her beautiful trip to the jungles of Ecuador.
[5:01] More about The Pachamama Alliance.
[10:19] Scott’s wife Kelly was a teacher, and they have been married for almost 29 years.
[17:43] What are some keys to improving family retention or customer retention?
[20:14] What are the results that the parents are looking for?
[25:36] Creating a unique value proposition for schools to stand out and become the “provider of choice” in their community.
[30:20] Retaining staff and clients through relationship-building and reward systems.
[34:11] That which gets rewarded gets repeated.
[36:26] You want your staff to believe in your value proposition.
[42:46] Identifying target clients and your avatar through a state of abundance.
[51:24] Allow the members of the Academy to help you and thrive in the community!
 
Quotes:
“That’s really my goal, to make them the most impactful inside their niche so that they can help those businesses that are truly looking to grow and serve.” — Scott [9:38]
“I can’t think of any better journey than taking an owner and helping them move from growing into a place of freedom into a place of an empire.” — Scott [16:34]
“Retention is all about relationships and results.” — Scott [18:16]
“As we look at this retention model, we have to look at it as a relationship and results with the child and relationship and results with the parents, and it’s got to be an equal focus there.” — Scott [19:00]
“My first challenge to anybody and everybody considering identifying who their avatar is is to come from a place of abundance.” — Scott [42:47]
 
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
Pachamama Alliance
OnlineJobs.Ph

The story this week starts with pizza, so you know it’s going to be a good one! Kris welcomes Rick and Nancy Kodama from Kid’s World Learning Center. Rick and Nancy are a husband-and-wife team based near Houston, Texas. They share some great tips on having a business together as a married couple for over three decades. They chat with Kris about their journey from owning Domino’s Pizza franchises to transitioning into early childhood education and give perspective on how having four sons affected their overall managing style and work-life balance. They also talk about how joining the Childcare Success Academy impacted Nancy’s leadership growth and confidence in running their school.
 
Key Takeaways:
[3:42] Kris set herself a goal of visiting all seven continents and speaks a bit about her Amazonian adventures.
[6:35] Rick and Nancy join from Texas.
[8:00] Kid’s World started in 2012 and now has a capacity of 262. They have nine classrooms.
[9:12] Rick and Nancy share more about their four sons and family background.
[15:03] How they went from a Domino’s Pizza franchise to Kid’s World, and lessons learned along the way.
[20:01] Remembering that you’re in a relationship business, and true connections matter.
[23:09] Fun fact! Talk about a large family — Rick has over 150 relatives in California.
[25:38] Leading without micromanaging.
[26:37] What The Child Care Success Academy has taught them about leadership.
[32:14] Communication, respect, and overcoming challenges as partners.
[44:18] The “other” Nancy at Domino’s that inspired our Nancy.
[46:18] What’s next for this husband-and-wife duo?
 
Quotes:
“Our vision for our school is to serve more children in our community.” — Nancy [8:32]
“With five locations, it was just not enough to sustain a supervisor. So it's either grow, or go.” — Nancy [16:06]
“When people ask me how I spend 12 hours at the childcare, I say that’s nothing. Working 6‒6:30 pm is nothing.” — Nancy [19:32]
“It’s not a transactional business. It’s a transformation business.” — Kris [20:36]
“We’re not just watching your babies here, we’re teaching them. When I say we’re teaching curriculum, and all the things that I’m saying that we’re going to deliver, I make sure that my staff is going to do that. That’s what is important to me.” — Nancy [48:02]
 
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
Kid’s World Learning Center

Kris welcomes Shannon Vasquez, Executive Director of PB Schools. Shannon started as a floater in 2004 and has since grown the organization to 8 locations. In their chat, Shannon shares her journey from floater to leader and her goals for the upcoming year. She discusses how the Academy's training and coaching have helped her build confidence in her leadership abilities and implement strategic planning practices. She and Kris chat about growing collaborative teams and the importance of courageous leadership when facing challenges. Plus, Shannon shares some fun facts including one of her favorite ways to destress - watching true crime!
 
Key Takeaways:
[7:37] Shannon talks about PB Preschool and celebrates her 20th work anniversary. 
[8:26] Shannon started as a floater. 
[9:47] Shannon’s favorite age to work with. 
[10:08] What a typical week looks like for Shannon. 
[12:27] Why starting from scratch can be a good thing. 
[13:29] Challenges in hiring and retaining staff. 
[13:33] Growth is happening, but there's still a long way to go in aligning company practices across two counties.
[13:57] Shannon’s goals for 2024. 
[14:55] An update on enrollment. 
[15:50] The 8 schools combined hold a capacity of 878. 
[16:37] Fun fact: Shannon is a crime fan! 
[18:16] Shannon discusses the expansion. 
[21:28] How the business changed and morphed over the last eight years.
[23:41] Feeling like a more confident leader and making friendships inside the Academy. 
[26:20] The importance of listening. 
[28:32] Winning Director of the Year. 
[31:03] How Shannon defines a childcare rockstar. 
 
Quotes:
“You can’t dwell on trying to make a decision, you’ve got to just make a decision. There’s no right or wrong. There’s an outcome. And if you don’t like the outcome, then you change direction. Don’t dwell, just keep on going, keep on moving.” — Shannon [20:31]
“Every year, we continue to grow and put more policies, more procedures into place, and hold people accountable to those policies and procedures. And we’re just constantly succeeding.“  — Shannon [22:38]
“They want you to support them and teach them how to be self-sufficient, but also give them the confidence and know that you have the confidence in them.” — Shannon [28:10]
“A child care rockstar is someone who puts into practice high-quality business strategies that are driven by their vision and mission. And that not only is about the children but it’s about the people that are in the day-to-day grind.” — Shannon [30:49]
 
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
PB Schools
LinkedIn Shannon Vasquez
“Ep. 61 — Stackable Core Values, Branding, and Managing People Well with Karla McCurry” 

Kris welcomes Raj Jana, co-founder and CEO of the mental health app Liber8. Raj shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he created Liber8 to help people manage stress and mental health. He and Kris discuss their passion for entrepreneurship and using their gifts to help others. They talk about the importance of improving our world and mindfully creating a world worth living in through compassion and small acts of kindness. Raj highlights Liber8 programs, including emotional lab reports and group coaching cohorts, which help users better understand their triggers and find tailored tools for personal growth.
 
Use Code CHILDCARE10 to get 10% off Liber8
 
Key Takeaways:
[6:18] Raj talks about Liber8 and his journey in entrepreneurship.
[8:30] How Raj finally got off the hamster wheel of healing to shift into real and inspired action.
[9:33] The start of Liber8.
[15:08] What Raj loves most about entrepreneurship.
[18:47] The impact that The 4-Hour Work Week had on Raj and Kris.
[21:16] Breakups can be emotional, but can also be a great time to rediscover yourself and peel back new, exciting layers.
[22:36] How Liber8 can help with burnout.
[28:05] What can someone expect when doing a session with Liber8?
[28:56] How we can “be the ripple.”
[36:05] The people who had an impact on Raj along his entrepreneurial journey.
 
Quotes:
“What I love most about being an entrepreneur today is that I get to use my gifts, talents, and my brilliance to help people.” [15:57]
“I don’t know of a more growth-fueled journey than the journey of entrepreneurship.” [16:40]
“I do feel like entrepreneurship is my art.” [17:07]
“If we can help the little humans be better learners and more emotionally resilient, then we can help the world because as the little humans get big, it’s just going to ripple out.” — Kris [29:30]
“I think just about the most impactful thing we can do is to wake up to the fullness of ourselves, learn to love ourselves, and be that light from the inside out. And then just be that ripple in the world.” [31:10]
 
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
Raj Jana
Liber8
Maverick Next
 

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