The Everything ECE Podcast

Carla Ward
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

The Everything ECE Podcast is for early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and childcare professionals who want to grow intentionally and take meaningful action. Host Carla Ward shares real-life insights, expert interviews, and practical strategies to support your work in childcare centres, preschools, and kindergartens. From play-based learning to leadership, each episode helps you stay inspired, confident, and connected to your purpose.

  1. 3d ago

    #250: The Conversations We Keep Avoiding with Jaime Mann

    Working closely with other people is an unavoidable part of early childhood education—but navigating differences, feedback, and workplace tension does not always come naturally. Leadership speaker and facilitator Jaime Mann joins Carla Ward for an honest conversation about the discussions people often label as “difficult.” Jaime offers a different way to think about these moments and explains how curiosity, self-awareness, and clear communication can help create healthier working relationships. Together, Carla and Jaime explore defensiveness, tone and body language, generational differences, feedback, workplace civility, and what to do when the other person is not approaching the conversation with the same openness. This episode is a practical and deeply human reminder that better communication is not about having the perfect words. It begins with understanding what you want for yourself, the other person, and the relationship. JAIME MANN Jaime Mann is a leadership speaker, facilitator, and founder of The Amaryllis Project. She helps leaders strengthen their self-leadership so they can communicate more effectively, build healthier workplace relationships, and create cultures where people can do their best work. Drawing from positive psychology, leadership research, and more than two decades of experience in business and construction, Jaime brings a practical, human approach to topics including engagement, imposter feelings, civility, accountability, and connection. She is currently completing a master’s degree in the Psychology of Leadership through Penn State.  LINKS:  Website: https://jaimemann.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theamaryllisproject/       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamaryllisproject/?hl=en  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week!  CONNECT WITH CARLA The ECE Entrepreneur Experience Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  2. Jul 17

    #249: Letting Children Do the Heavy Lifting with Trevor Newton

    In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with early childhood educator, keynote speaker, and coach Trevor Newton for a conversation that will challenge the way you think about play, relationships, and children's social development. Together, they explore why conflict isn't something to prevent, but something to teach through. Trevor shares simple, practical strategies that help educators support children's independence, strengthen communication, and build the social skills that last far beyond the early years. This episode is full of those "pause and write that down" moments, including one strategy Carla says she'll be using immediately. In this episode, you'll discover: Why conflict is one of the greatest learning opportunities in play How to support children without rescuing them The role relationships play in children's long-term success One simple strategy that can transform the conversations you have with children tomorrow Mr. Trevor T. Newton, M.A. ECSE Trevor T. Newton is a passionate Title I ECSE Preschool Teacher, early childhood keynote speaker, and founder of Teach and Direct LLC, with over 15 years of experience empowering educators and strengthening leadership across educational settings. He has taught in diverse early childhood and elementary classrooms while mentoring educators into confident, effective teachers and leaders. Trevor specializes in practical, research-based strategies that support teacher leadership, Big Body Play and body-based behavior regulation, and renewed joy in the important work of early childhood education. Beyond the classroom and stage, he enjoys children’s literature, sharing laughter, and spending quality time with his wife and young son.  LINKS Website: www.TrevorTNewton.com    Instagram: @TrevorTNewton.ECE LinkedIn: Trevor T. Newton SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! CONNECT WITH CARLA Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠  Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  3. Jul 10

    #248: Curiosity Is a Professional Responsibility

    What if one of the most important responsibilities we have as educators isn't just teaching children, but continuing to learn ourselves? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores why curiosity is more than a personality trait. It's a professional responsibility. Drawing on more than 20 years in early childhood education, Carla reflects on what separates educators who continue to grow from those who become stuck in "the way we've always done it." She shares five ways educators can nurture their own curiosity, from learning alongside children and seeking perspectives that challenge their thinking to looking beyond early childhood for inspiration and remaining teachable throughout their careers. Because if we want children to become lifelong learners, shouldn't they see us modelling that every day? SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA The ECE Entrepreneur Experience Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  4. Jul 3

    247: Understanding Schema Play with Heather Bernt-Santy

    In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with Heather Bernt-Santy, better known as That Early Childhood Nerd, to explore the fascinating world of schema play. Heather shares how recognizing schemas helps educators move beyond simply managing behaviour and instead see the learning, curiosity, and development taking place through play. From transporting and trajectory to enclosing and enveloping, these repeated patterns offer valuable insight into how children make sense of their world. Together, Carla and Heather discuss:• What schema play is and why it matters• How schemas help us understand behaviour differently• Why curiosity is one of an educator's greatest superpowers• Practical ways to support children's learning without limiting their exploration• How schemas strengthen conversations with families• Why free play deserves a central place in early childhood education. Whether you're just discovering schema play or have been exploring it for years, this conversation will leave you seeing children's play—and your role as an educator—in a whole new way. Heather is also the author of Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, a must-read for educators looking to deepen their understanding of play. HEATHER BERNT- SANTY Heather Bernt-Santy, M.A. Ed., also known as That Early Childhood Nerd, has been working with children, their families, and their caregivers for over 30 years and has loved very-nearly-almost every minute. She is a believer in children's right to play and in the science that tells us play IS right. As That Early Childhood Nerd, she offers consulting and webinars, and hosts a podcast.  LINKS Website: www.thatearlychildhoodnerd.com  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Podcast YouTube Book:  (Canada) Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood (US) Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠  Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  5. Jun 26

    #246: Raising Thinkers: Building Critical Thinking in Early Years

    In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla explores why critical thinking begins long before children enter elementary school and how everyday moments in our classrooms shape children's confidence as problem-solvers, question-askers, and curious learners. From open-ended play and educator language to productive struggle and reflective practice, this conversation will challenge you to look differently at the small interactions that happen every day. Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do isn't give children the answer—it's give them the space to discover it themselves. Whether you're an early childhood educator, student, or leader, this episode will leave you reflecting on how we can create environments that nurture curiosity, resilience, and independent thinking from the very beginning. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  6. Jun 19

    #245: Human Skills in an AI-powered World with Chris Danilo

    In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with award-winning speaker and trainer Chris Danilo to explore the skills that technology can't replace. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, many educators are asking the same question: What makes humans irreplaceable? Together, Carla and Chris dive into the human skills that will matter most in the years ahead, why emotional intelligence may become one of the most valuable professional assets we have, and what leaders and educators need to be focusing on right now. This conversation might challenge some assumptions, spark a few questions, and leave you thinking differently about the future of our profession. Because in an AI-powered world, being more human may be the advantage we need most. CHRIS DANILO Chris is an award-winning speaker and trainer for the early childhood workforce. He trains ECE leaders and educators on Human Skills like compassionate detachment, self-management, and emotional intelligence that make a real difference in how teams work together. He uses high-energy, roll-up-your-sleeves, experiential workshops to make professional development turn into action. He's worked with organizations in Child Care Aware and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) groups around the US. LINKS Website: chrisdanilo.com/newsletter  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Seed Training Books Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work — Dina Denham Smith & Alicia A. Grandey Oxford University Press · Penn State announcement · Author site Co-written by Penn State psychology professor Alicia Grandey (one of the world's leading researchers on emotional labor) and executive coach Dina Denham Smith. Equips leaders with evidence-based tools for emotional skills at work: emotional labor, authenticity, stress and recovery, emotion regulation, self-compassion. Includes the authors' BRAVE technique (Breathe, Recognize, Accept, Verbalize, Engage) and frameworks like compassionate detachment drawn from caring professions. Especially relevant for ECE directors and center owners managing emotional load on their teams. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ — Daniel Goleman Amazon ·The 1995 book that introduced the concept of emotional intelligence to a mass audience. Goleman argues that EQ matters as much as IQ for success in relationships, work, and well-being, and outlines five core skills — self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills — that can be taught and cultivated. Researchers & Authors Dr. Alicia Grandey — Penn State Penn State faculty page · Workplace Emotional Labor and Diversity Lab Professor of Psychology at Penn State and one of the original architects of the modern research literature on emotional labor — the work of regulating your emotions on the job. 25+ years of peer-reviewed research, with multiple papers in the top 1% for citation impact. Co-author of Emotionally Charged. Essential reading for anyone trying to understand why caregiving work — including ECE — is so emotionally taxing. Dina Denham Smith — executive coach and leadership consultant DinaDSmith.com · Book site Founder and CEO with 20+ years coaching senior leaders at companies like Adobe, Netflix, and Stanford. Co-author of Emotionally Charged with Alicia Grandey, bridging the academic research on emotional labor into practical leadership tools. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA The ECE Latte Lounge Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠  Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  7. Jun 12

    #244: The 5 Types of Self-Care | Why Educators Can't Afford to Ignore Their Well-Being 

    Self-care is often reduced to bubble baths, spa days, and treating yourself, but true self-care goes much deeper than that. In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward shares a personal story about how years of ignoring her own well-being led to a panic attack that landed her in the hospital. Through honest reflection and practical insights, she explores why self-care is not a luxury for educators. It's a necessity. Carla breaks down the five essential types of self-care Whether you're an early childhood educator, teacher, leader, or parent, this episode will help you identify which area of self-care may need your attention and offer simple ways to begin prioritizing yourself again. Topics Discussed: Why self-care is more than bubble baths The consequences of ignoring your own needs Boundaries and professional self-care Emotional wellness for educators Building sustainable self-care habits How self-care impacts children, families, and teams SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

  8. Jun 5

    #243: Why Movement Comes Before Mindfulness with Lisa Danahy

    #243: Why Movement Comes Before Mindfulness with Lisa Danahy In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward sits down with educator, author, yoga therapist, and founder of Create Calm, Lisa Danahy, to explore the powerful connection between movement, emotional regulation, and learning. Together, they discuss why movement is often the pathway to mindfulness, how educators can support their own regulation before helping children, and why calm and compliant are not the same thing. Lisa shares practical strategies that can be implemented immediately in early childhood settings while challenging traditional ideas about behaviour management and mindfulness. In this episode, you'll learn:• Why movement fuels brain development and emotional regulation• The difference between mindfulness and mind control• How educator regulation impacts classroom dynamics• Why connection must come before correction• Practical strategies to support co-regulation and well-being LISA DANAHY Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is an educator, author, and leader in social-emotional learning focused on supporting emotional regulation, resilience, and well-being in early childhood and school communities. Through her nonprofit, Create Calm, she has helped facilitate meaningful cultural shifts in hundreds of schools nationwide, supporting students, educators, and families since 2016. With advanced training in yoga therapy, psychology, and over 30 years of experience in education and SEL curriculum development, she creates accessible, evidence-based practices that support whole-child development. Lisa specializes in working with neurodiverse, disabled, and underserved children and partners with educators and caregivers to bring sustainable self-care and regulation tools into early learning environments.   LINKS Website: createcalm.org Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Book: Creating Calm in Your Classroom Radiant Child: www.childrensyoga.com  Monday Mindfulness: www.MondayMindfulness.com  INA Wellness: www.INAwellness.com  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years. CONNECT WITH CARLA The ECE Latte Lounge Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠  Website: carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece

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The Everything ECE Podcast is for early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and childcare professionals who want to grow intentionally and take meaningful action. Host Carla Ward shares real-life insights, expert interviews, and practical strategies to support your work in childcare centres, preschools, and kindergartens. From play-based learning to leadership, each episode helps you stay inspired, confident, and connected to your purpose.

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