The Bloom Room: An Early Childhood Podcast

Danica See
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Where big feelings are welcome, tricky behaviour isn’t shamed, and early childhood educators finally feel seen.Are you an educator, teacher, or school leader navigating the messy, beautiful world of guiding children’s behaviour, emotions, and sense of belonging? You’ve just found your people.I’m Danica - early childhood mentor and consultant, and your go-to gal for honest, heart-led conversations about what actually works when supporting young children. Inside The Bloom Room, we go beyond sticker charts and surface-level strategies. Each week, I bring you fresh episodes packed with:
✨ Real, evidence-informed tools you can use tomorrow
.✨ Thoughtful chats with experts and educators doing the work.
✨ Practical guidance for supporting behaviour without shame.
✨ A whole lot of validation, nuance, and “OMG SAME” moments.Whether you're a seasoned leader or fresh out of uni, this is your space to grow, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible for the children in your care - and for yourself.New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Come on in and let’s bloom 🌼

  1. 4d ago

    EP 62 | Who Are Your Marigolds? Finding Your People in Education

    This is the final episode of The Bigger Than Behaviour Series! There’s a lot about education that feels heavy right now, and this series has made space for that heaviness - but there’s something else I think we need to talk about: the people we move through the system with. In this episode, I’m exploring the idea of finding your Marigolds - the people who help us grow, remind us who we are when things get hard, and give us somewhere safe to put the messy parts of this work. You’ll hear: ✨ Why finding your people matters when you’re working within systems you can’t always change ✨ Who our Marigolds are - and why we need to look out for pesky walnut trees ✨ What my own experiences with both marigolds and walnut trees taught me about whose voices we allow to shape our own ✨ Why I believe I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without my marigolds This isn’t a conversation about surrounding ourselves with positive people and pretending the hard stuff isn’t hard. Our people can’t fix the education system, and they can’t remove every barrier or answer the questions we’re carrying. BUT They can sit beside us in the messy middle without making us more hopeless. They can help us stay connected to our values, our voice, our hope, and the reasons we chose this work in the first place. Please note - very (very) mild coarse language in this episode. Read Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers from Jenn Gonzalez Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 62 | Who Are Your Marigolds? Finding Your People in Education

  2. Aug 10

    EP 61 | How to Make a Difference When the Education System Feels Broken with Nikki Gleeson

    It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing education right now. I've felt the heaviness, too. When the conversations are about burnout, behaviour, staffing shortages and system-wide change, it's easy to start believing that meaningful change is always somebody else's responsibility. In this episode, I sit down with Nikki - early childhood consultant, mentor and founder of NG Wellbeing Consulting - to explore what happens when we stop waiting for the perfect solution and start recognising the influence we already have. You'll hear: ✨ Why "little is better than not at all" has become Nikki's guiding philosophy ✨ The role curiosity plays in creating meaningful change ✨ Why simple, intentional practice is often more powerful than complex strategies ✨ Why leadership isn't just a job title, and that every educator has the capacity to influence change ✨ The tension between wanting to do more and not knowing where to start ✨ Why hope isn't found in having all the answers, but in taking the next small step If you've been listening to this series and feeling the weight of the challenges facing education, I hope this conversation feels like a deep breath. While none of us can change the whole system overnight, we can all be part of changing the experience children have today. Visit Nikki's website: NG Wellbeing Consulting Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 61 | How to Make a Difference When the Education System Feels Broken with Nikki Gleeson

  3. Aug 3

    EP 60 | It Was Never Meant to Be Us vs. Parents with Abby Thomason

    It's easy it is to fall into blame - parents blaming educators, educators blaming parents. And when we do? The children miss out. In this episode, I sit down with Abby Thomason from Early Emotions to explore what happens when we stop searching for who's at fault and start exploring what children - and the adults around them - actually need. Together, we unpack why children's mental health is still treated differently from every other area of development, why early intervention shouldn't stop at speech or motor skills, and what happens when educators are expected to carry more than they were ever trained or supported to. We also explore the growing rates of preschool suspension and expulsion, the importance of supporting adults to respond to children's emotions, and why meaningful partnerships between families and educators have never been more important. You'll hear: ✨ Why children's mental health deserves the same attention as physical and developmental milestones ✨ The gap between identifying concerns and accessing meaningful support ✨ Why supporting children starts with supporting the adults around them ✨ What rising preschool suspension and expulsion rates reveal about our systems ✨ How blame creates distance between educators and families ✨ Why genuine partnership is one of the most powerful protective factors for children ✨ What gives Abby hope for the future of early childhood education This conversation is a reminder that behaviour is never just about the child. Creating better outcomes for children has never been about choosing between parents and educators; it's about building systems where both feel supported enough to stand on the same side. Connect with Abby on Insta @earlyemotions Download Abby's free guide - Navigating Little People's Big Emotions Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 60 | It Was Never Meant to Be Us vs. Parents with Abby Thomason

  4. Jul 27

    EP 59 | What Do the NDIS Changes Really Mean For Early Childhood? with Dave Jereb

    Over the past few months, you've probably heard bits and pieces about the changes to the NDIS and the introduction of Thriving Kids. But what do these changes actually mean for children, families, and the educators supporting them every day? In this episode, I sit down with occupational therapist, author, and founder of Move About Therapy Services, Dave Jereb, to unpack the changes that are coming and the ripple effect they could have across early childhood settings and schools. Together, we explore what meaningful inclusion really looks like, why changing the environment is often more powerful than trying to change the child, and what educators can do when the support around children starts to shift. You'll hear: ✨ What the NDIS changes and Thriving Kids could mean for children, families, and educators ✨ Why participation - not just therapy - is at the heart of supporting children well ✨ What true inclusion looks like beyond simply being present in the classroom ✨ Why changing the environment is often the quickest and most respectful way to support behaviour ✨ How small shifts in connection, expectations, and meaningful engagement can transform a child's day ✨ Why educators need greater support, collaboration, and training if we want inclusion to be successful This conversation is honest, thought-provoking and, ultimately, hopeful. If you've been wondering what these policy changes might mean for your space, or you've ever found yourself asking how we can better support every child without burning out educators in the process, this episode is for you. Visit Dave's Instagram @moveabout.ot Buy Dave's book - Challenging The Story: A Surprisingly Simple Approach to Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviours Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 59 | What Do the NDIS Changes Really Mean For Early Childhood? with Dave Jereb

  5. Jul 20

    EP 58 | Are We Preparing New Educators For the Reality Of Behaviour Support? with Chloe Cao

    University teaches you the theory, but what happens when you step into a real classroom? In this episode, I sit down with Chloe - a recently graduated early childhood educator - to explore the gap between what we're taught at university and what it actually feels like to support children, families and colleagues in the real world. You'll hear: ✨ What surprised Chloe most when she stepped from university into the classroom ✨ The invisible mental and emotional load that no textbook can prepare you for ✨ Why understanding behaviour and responding to behaviour are two very different skills ✨ The role mentors play in shaping confident, capable educators ✨ Where Chloe believes universities are preparing educators well - and where there are still important gaps ✨ Why working alongside families is often far more complex than we expect This conversation is honest, thoughtful and incredibly reassuring. Whether you're a new educator finding your feet, a mentor supporting the next generation, or an experienced teacher reflecting on your own journey, I think you'll find yourself somewhere in Chloe's story. Connect with Chloe on RedNote (her ID is 602288284) Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 58 | Are We Preparing New Educators For the Reality Of Behaviour Support? with Chloe Cao

  6. Jul 13

    EP 57 | Could Love Be What's Missing in Education? with Sarah Louise Nelson

    Most of us begin this work because we care deeply about children but, at some point, many of us discover that caring isn't as simple as we thought. In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Louise Nelson - early childhood educator, researcher, university lecturer and PhD candidate - to explore the concept of professional love, and why relationships aren't just a nice addition to education; they're the foundation that everything else is built upon. You'll hear: ✨ What professional love really means (and why it's so often misunderstood) ✨ Why relationships are an ethical commitment, not just a teaching strategy ✨ The connection between professional love, behaviour support and belonging ✨ How compassion fatigue changes the way we show up for children ✨ Why care has become undervalued in education, despite being essential for learning ✨ Why reconnecting with the relational heart of our work gives Sarah Louise hope for the future of early childhood This conversation is thoughtful, challenging and incredibly hopeful. If you've ever wondered how to keep caring deeply without losing yourself in the process, or what it really means to bring love into professional practice, this episode will leave you thinking long after it ends. Connect with Sarah Louise on LinkedIn Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 57 | Could Love Be What's Missing in Education? with Sarah Louise Nelson

  7. Jul 6

    EP 56 | Quality vs. Compliance: Who Chooses? with Narelle Nettelbeck

    Quality has become one of the most talked-about words in early childhood education but, somewhere along the way, many educators have been left wondering whether we're actually creating quality - or simply chasing it. In this episode, I sit down with Narelle Nettelbeck of Bugs and Bare Feet - early childhood consultant, mentor, and educator with more than three decades of experience - to explore what happens when compliance, expectations, and constant pressure start pulling us away from the very things that matter most. You'll hear: ✨ Why so many educators feel trapped between compliance and meaningful practice ✨ The difference between chasing quality and creating it ✨ How curiosity can become a catalyst for change ✨ Why asking "why?" might be one of the bravest things educators can do ✨ The impact of compassion fatigue and how to find joy in the work again ✨ Why educators need permission to trust themselves, their strengths, and their professional judgement This conversation is hopeful, grounding, and deeply reassuring. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by expectations, questioned whether you're doing enough, or wondered if quality has become more about paperwork than people, this episode is for you. Visit Narelle's website Bugs and Bare Feet Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 56 | Quality vs. Compliance: Who Chooses? with Narelle Nettelbeck

  8. Jun 29

    EP 55 | Behaviour Isn't The Real Issue with SproutED Consulting

    There’s a lot of conversation right now about children who aren’t coping at school - but what if the real question is whether the system is still meeting the needs of the children it's designed to serve? In this episode, I sit down with Brooke and Gemma - educators, consultants, university lecturers, and homeschooling parents - to explore what happens when children don't fit neatly within traditional schooling, and why so many families find themselves searching for alternatives. You'll hear: ✨ Why some families feel pushed towards homeschooling (rather than choosing it) ✨ The assumptions we make about learning, success, and what children need to thrive ✨ Why behaviour, engagement, and school refusal are far more complex than they appear ✨ The tension between control, compliance, and genuine connection ✨ What happens when children's needs change but systems struggle to evolve ✨ Why trust might be one of the most overlooked ingredients in education This conversation isn't about homeschooling versus school - it's about asking bigger questions about belonging, flexibility, purpose, and whether we're creating environments that truly work for the children in front of us. If you've ever found yourself wondering why some children seem to struggle so deeply within systems that work for others, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.  Visit Brooke + Gemma's Instagram @sproutedconsulting Visit their website Let's Connect! Want to feel joy in your teaching again (and not like you're spending every moment putting out behaviour spot fires)? Join the waitlist for my course: The Behaviour Reset Want to know how to respond to baffling behaviours better? Download my free guide with 90 behaviour scripts Join me on Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy

    EP 55 | Behaviour Isn't The Real Issue with SproutED Consulting
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Where big feelings are welcome, tricky behaviour isn’t shamed, and early childhood educators finally feel seen.Are you an educator, teacher, or school leader navigating the messy, beautiful world of guiding children’s behaviour, emotions, and sense of belonging? You’ve just found your people.I’m Danica - early childhood mentor and consultant, and your go-to gal for honest, heart-led conversations about what actually works when supporting young children. Inside The Bloom Room, we go beyond sticker charts and surface-level strategies. Each week, I bring you fresh episodes packed with:
✨ Real, evidence-informed tools you can use tomorrow
.✨ Thoughtful chats with experts and educators doing the work.
✨ Practical guidance for supporting behaviour without shame.
✨ A whole lot of validation, nuance, and “OMG SAME” moments.Whether you're a seasoned leader or fresh out of uni, this is your space to grow, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible for the children in your care - and for yourself.New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Come on in and let’s bloom 🌼

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