The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast

Erica Saccoccio
  • 5.0 (46)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

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 early childhood professionals who are ready to find their voice, build confidence, strengthen their teams, and create programs where children, families, and educators thrive. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations, practical leadership strategies, and inspiring stories from childcare directors, owners, educators, authors, and industry leaders who understand what it really takes to lead in early childhood today. We'll tackle the conversations others avoid, celebrate the wins that matter, and give you practical ideas you can take back to your center tomorrow. Around here, we don't chase perfection—we build confident leaders, multiply future leaders, and create a ripple of impact throughout the early childhood profession. Pull up a chair. Find your voice. Lead with confidence. Create lasting impact. 🎤 Let's Grow Leaders Together Looking for a keynote speaker, breakout session presenter, leadership retreat facilitator, professional development trainer, or leadership coach for your childcare organization? Erica partners with conferences, state associations, childcare organizations, school districts, and leadership teams across the country to deliver engaging presentations that are practical, relatable, and transformational. Every session is designed to inspire audiences, spark meaningful conversations, and equip leaders with strategies they can immediately implement in their programs. Connect with Erica for:  🎤 Keynote Presentations  🎓 Conference Breakout Sessions  🏫 Professional Development Days  🌱 Leadership Coaching  👥 Leadership Retreats  🎙️ Podcast Guest Opportunities 🌐 www.childcaredirectorschair.com Pull up a chair. Find your voice. Lead with confidence. Create lasting impact.

  1. 2d ago

    616 What It Really Takes to Be a Childcare Director

    Send us Fan Mail Being a childcare director can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be one of the hardest leadership roles in early childhood education. In this honest and relatable episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, I sit down with Jolynn Wendt, one of the most real childcare directors sharing her journey today. Jolynn loves the work she does, but she is also open about the pressure, responsibility, and emotional weight that come with leading a childcare program. We talk about what it is like to step into leadership as a younger director, navigate licensing expectations, support families, manage parent concerns, and still make sure your teaching team knows you have their back. This is not a polished conversation filled with perfect answers. It is a real discussion between two childcare leaders who truly understand the day-to-day challenges directors face. This episode is for every director who has ever felt pulled in every direction, questioned whether they were doing enough, or needed a reminder that they are not alone. To learn more about Jolynn and follow her leadership journey, find her on TikTok at @wendforgrowth. Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  2. 3d ago

    615 The Surprising Power of Music and Movement in Early Literacy

    Send us Fan Mail How can music and movement help young children build stronger language and literacy skills? In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, I sit down with Alyssa Jewell, MLIS, and Melissa McCall to explore how songs, rhythm, movement, and playful classroom experiences can support early literacy development in preschool and Pre-K classrooms. We talk about practical ways educators can use music to strengthen vocabulary, phonological awareness, listening skills, memory, and language development. Alyssa and Melissa also share tips for choosing materials, building literacy-rich routines, and creating engaging learning experiences that help children connect words, sounds, stories, and movement. Melissa also shares more about her newly released song and how educators can intentionally use music as a teaching tool throughout the day. This conversation is filled with simple ideas that childcare directors and teachers can immediately bring back to their classrooms to make literacy learning more joyful, active, and meaningful. Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  3. 4d ago

    614 Bet on Yourself: Turning Your Skills Into Something Bigger

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you stop waiting for permission and finally decide to bet on yourself? In today’s episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, I sit down with Adva Hanan for an honest conversation about believing in your skills, recognizing the value of what you already know, and building opportunities beyond the classroom. We talk about what it feels like to leave the comfort of working for someone else, take the leap into entrepreneurship, and begin creating a business and life that reflect your purpose. This episode is for every educator or leader who knows they are capable of more but is still waiting for the perfect time to begin. You do not need to have every step figured out. Sometimes you simply need enough confidence to take the first one. Book a call with Adva api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/preschoolconsulting #BetOnYourself #ChildCareDirectorsChair #EarlyChildhoodLeadership #EducatorEntrepreneur #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Entrepreneurship #BelieveInYourself Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  4. 5d ago

    613 Grow Your People, Grow Your Organization

    Send us Fan Mail Organizational growth does not begin with a new program, a bigger building, or a longer strategic plan. It begins with developing the people who will help carry the vision forward. In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with Niki Da’Jon to discuss the connection between internal confidence, leadership development, and strategic planning. Together, they explore why directors must look beyond the immediate needs of the day and intentionally prepare their teams for the future. This conversation examines how leaders can recognize potential, build confidence, create meaningful growth opportunities, and help educators see themselves as part of the organization’s long-term success. Erica and Niki also discuss why strategic planning should include people development, succession planning, professional goals, and clear pathways for emerging leaders. When you invest in your people, you create stronger teams, reduce dependence on one leader, and build an organization that is prepared to grow. This episode will challenge directors and owners to ask an important question: Are you simply managing the people you have today, or are you intentionally developing the leaders your organization will need tomorrow? Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  5. 6d ago

    612 Beyond Management: Becoming a Pedagogical Leader

    Send us Fan Mail What does it truly mean to lead learning in an early childhood program? In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with Jessica Karpathios, a forest school practitioner, pedagogical leader, presenter, and the voice behind The Curious Educator Collective, for a meaningful conversation about pedagogical leadership. Together, they explore how early childhood leaders can move beyond managing schedules, paperwork, staffing, and compliance to become more deeply connected to teaching, learning, and educator growth. Jessica shares how curiosity, reflection, intentional questioning, and collaboration can help leaders strengthen their practice and create environments where both educators and children feel empowered to explore, take risks, and grow. This episode also dives into what pedagogical leadership looks like in everyday practice, how leaders can help educators fine-tune their craft, and why meaningful reflection is essential for professional growth. You will hear practical ideas for asking better questions, supporting educators without simply giving them all the answers, and creating a culture where learning is viewed as an ongoing process rather than a checklist. Whether you are a childcare director, owner, administrator, coach, or classroom educator, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about leadership. Pedagogical leadership is not limited to a job title. It is about how we show up, how we remain curious, and how we create the conditions for meaningful learning to take place. Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  6. Aug 1

    610 Why Your Best Teacher Struggles to Become a Supervisor

    Send us Fan Mail Your best teacher may be dependable, respected, and amazing with children, but that does not always mean they are prepared to lead adults. In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair Podcast, Erica breaks down why strong teachers often struggle when they move into supervisory roles. From navigating friendships and difficult conversations to learning how to delegate, give feedback, and make decisions, this episode explores the leadership skills that are often missing after a promotion. If you are a childcare owner or director trying to step away from the day-to-day, this episode will help you understand how to stop simply filling positions and start intentionally building leaders who can help carry your organization forward. Love the show? Give us a follow on our social media (2) Instagram Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  7. Jul 29

    609 The Workforce Is Not Failing—Our Leadership Approach Is

    Send us Fan Mail Passion may bring educators into early childhood education, but passion alone will not keep them there. In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio explores why the childcare workforce cannot continue surviving on dedication, sacrifice, and love for children without the leadership, support, compensation, respect, and working conditions educators need to stay. This conversation challenges leaders to move from asking employees to give more to examining the systems that may be exhausting them. Erica discusses the difference between appreciation and action, why burnout should never be treated as proof of commitment, and how the daily employee experience shapes retention. You will leave this episode with practical questions to help you evaluate your workplace culture, onboarding, schedules, communication, professional growth opportunities, and leadership practices. The goal is not to find educators who are passionate enough to tolerate unsustainable conditions. The goal is to build workplaces that are worthy of their passion. This episode is sponsored by Watch Me Grow. To learn more about strengthening trust, safety, and family engagement in your childcare program, book a call today with Kevin and the Watch Me Grow team. Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

  8. Jul 28

    608 You May Not Have a Staffing Problem

    Send us Fan Mail What if the real problem is not that good teachers are impossible to find—but that something inside your program is making it difficult for them to stay? In this episode, Erica Saccoccio challenges childcare leaders to look beyond job postings, callouts, and constant hiring. She explores how workplace culture, communication, expectations, support, onboarding, and leadership practices can quietly create what looks like a staffing problem. Before you hire another person, it may be time to take an honest look at what your current team is experiencing. This episode will help you identify where the real gaps may be and what you can begin changing today to build a workplace where strong educators want to stay. Support the show The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education. WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day. To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com. Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.

See All (679)

Trailer

5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

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 early childhood professionals who are ready to find their voice, build confidence, strengthen their teams, and create programs where children, families, and educators thrive. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations, practical leadership strategies, and inspiring stories from childcare directors, owners, educators, authors, and industry leaders who understand what it really takes to lead in early childhood today. We'll tackle the conversations others avoid, celebrate the wins that matter, and give you practical ideas you can take back to your center tomorrow. Around here, we don't chase perfection—we build confident leaders, multiply future leaders, and create a ripple of impact throughout the early childhood profession. Pull up a chair. Find your voice. Lead with confidence. Create lasting impact. 🎤 Let's Grow Leaders Together Looking for a keynote speaker, breakout session presenter, leadership retreat facilitator, professional development trainer, or leadership coach for your childcare organization? Erica partners with conferences, state associations, childcare organizations, school districts, and leadership teams across the country to deliver engaging presentations that are practical, relatable, and transformational. Every session is designed to inspire audiences, spark meaningful conversations, and equip leaders with strategies they can immediately implement in their programs. Connect with Erica for:  🎤 Keynote Presentations  🎓 Conference Breakout Sessions  🏫 Professional Development Days  🌱 Leadership Coaching  👥 Leadership Retreats  🎙️ Podcast Guest Opportunities 🌐 www.childcaredirectorschair.com Pull up a chair. Find your voice. Lead with confidence. Create lasting impact.

Information

You Might Also Like