ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie

Carrie Casey and Kate Woodward Young

Kate and Carrie have over 62 years in the childcare business industry and bring that background to their conversations. Having worked with over 5000 childcare programs across the country in the last 30 years together they are a fun and powerful team - ready to help you tackle your problems with practical solutions.

  1. 4d ago

    364: The Surprising Truth About Vendor Hall Swag, Discounts, and Building Genuine Relationships with Alisha Kriege

    Send us Fan Mail Get ready for conference season! In this episode, Kate and Alisha break down how to make the most of vendor halls at early childhood education conferences. Think of it less like trick-or-treating for swag and more like a strategic opportunity to find the right partners for your program. They share smart tips like coming prepared with questions, knowing your budget and inventory, supporting local vendors, and always asking for a discount! Whether you run one center or many, this episode will help you shop smarter and build relationships that truly benefit your program. Fill out to set up a demo: https://3cup9.share.hsforms.com/2evTRRs78SLeEOmq71DWGiw Here is the link as well for more info  The Harmony Method Alisha's link: Schedule a Meeting with me aberg3718@gmail.com  alisha.kriege@freenotesharmonypark.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisha-kriege-51bb9a4b/?skipRedirect=true  Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

    364: The Surprising Truth About Vendor Hall Swag, Discounts, and Building Genuine Relationships with Alisha Kriege

  2. 6d ago

    363: The Secret to Recruiting College Students and Spouses Who Turn Into Lifelong Educators with Jennifer Clements

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate talks to Jennifer Clements, who shares her journey from growing up in her mom's home daycare to running three childcare centers in Kansas. She dives into the unique challenges of serving military families and college students, and how building a true "village" became the heart of her business. Jennifer also gets real about the staffing puzzle of hiring college students and how embracing flexibility is key. Plus, she walks through her tech evolution — from sticky notes to finding the right all-in-one software solution. Such a relatable and resourceful conversation!  Learn more about our guest! https://www.crechemanhattan.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-clements-dorothy-68264946/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

    363: The Secret to Recruiting College Students and Spouses Who Turn Into Lifelong Educators with Jennifer Clements

  3. Jul 16

    362: The Hidden Financial Impact of Quality Ratings Nobody Tells You About with Coach Rae

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate sits down with Coach Rae — an early childhood education specialist and consultant — to bust some myths about quality rating systems. They dig into why these systems aren't about control, but accountability and funding. One of the biggest takeaways? Transparency matters! When directors share the real financial picture with staff, trust grows, and resistance fades. Coach Rae also reminds us that these systems aren't as complicated as they seem — teachers are often already doing the work! It's a great listen for any childcare leader wanting stronger communication and better team collaboration. Learn more about our guest:  FB: Raeyna Woodside  IG: hey_coach_rae LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raeyna-woodside-howard-54568a274?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

    362: The Hidden Financial Impact of Quality Ratings Nobody Tells You About with Coach Rae

  4. Jul 14

    361: Why Childcare Owners Need Formal Management Training — Or Risk Burnout With Laura Biederman

    Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secret to rapid growth in early childhood education—without burning out your team or drowning in disjointed systems. Laura Biederman, from Ebenezer's eight locations, reveals how she transitioned from classroom teacher to business leader, and the surprising lessons she learned along the way. If your expansion feels overwhelming or you're managing chaos with patchwork technology, this episode is your blueprint for smarter decisions and sustainable growth. Laura shares her candid journey. From being thrown into the deep end without formal management training to realizing she was actually running a business all along. She reveals the crucial shift in mindset needed to lead with confidence, make tough decisions sooner, and embrace the leadership role you might not feel fully prepared for. You'll also hear how her team uses personality assessments and streamlined systems to improve collaboration, reduce turnover, and create a healthier, more efficient workplace. Bamboo HR: https://www.bamboohr.com/homepage-customer Laura's email address: lbiederman@ebenezerchildcare.com Dare to Lead book: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520 The personality compass: https://www.leadrighttoday.com/uploads/9/4/1/6/9416169/personalitycompassandtests.pdf Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

    361: Why Childcare Owners Need Formal Management Training — Or Risk Burnout With Laura Biederman

  5. Jul 9

    360: The Most Crucial Ingredient for Quality Childcare Staffing Revealed

    Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what lifeguarding has to do with running a child care program? Turns out — a lot! In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate shares how becoming a lifeguard at 15 shaped everything she believes about training, preparation, and staffing in early childhood education.  The big takeaway? Training must come before responsibility. She draws eye-opening parallels between lifeguard certification and how we onboard childcare staff, making a compelling case for intentional career pathways in our field. Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

  6. Jul 7

    359: From Sticky Notes to Streamlined Success: Revolutionize Childcare Enrollment with Tech! With Robert Rodriguez

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, we chat with Robert Rodriguez, co-owner of Texas Christian Preschool in Brownsville, Texas. Robert shares how his mom founded the business back in 1981, and how he brought his corporate retail and finance background to the family biz about ten years ago. The real gold nugget here? His journey from Post-it notes to discovering Playground, a childcare management software that actually listened to his needs and built out a CRM just for centers like his. If enrollment tracking feels like a hot mess, this one's for you!  Learn more about Robert: www.tcpreschools.com Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

  7. Jul 2

    358: The Greatest Wellness Secrets Every Family Childcare Provider Needs to Know With Annette Eberhardt

    Send us Fan Mail This episode of Childcare Conversations is such a good one! Kate sits down with Annette Eberhart, a 19-year family childcare veteran from Florida, to talk about something we all need to hear: self-care and wellness for early childhood educators. We're not just talking bubble baths here! Annette digs deep into boundaries, mindset, discipline, and even shares a bit of her personal journey.  If you're feeling burnt out or stuck, this conversation will genuinely make you stop and reflect. Grab your coffee and give it a listen! Learn more about Annette:  www.linkedin.com/in/annette-eberhart-25b91181 https://www.youtube.com/@annettee05 Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

  8. Jun 30

    357: Are You Choosing the Right School Supplies to Boost Your Early Childhood Program? With Tom Melhorn

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate sits down with Tom Melhorn, president of North Star School Supply, for a really refreshing chat about something every childcare owner deals with: supplies and equipment. Tom shares how North Star takes a totally different approach than just handing you a catalog. They actually talk to you, assess your space and budget, and help you invest in quality, U.S.-made products that last. Think personalized service, 3D classroom designs, and someone who'll actually pick up the phone. No project is too small, and the goal is to be your supplier for life! North Star Booking Link: https://calendar.app.google/BMv11DdzZEzMoopq9 Nimbl Assessment Link: https://calendar.app.google/6MSNVnLWo8zQGNLT6 Classroom audit blog post: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/your-classroom-is-costing-you-enrollments-and-you-dont-even-know-it/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!Join our Podcast Newsletter!Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

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4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Kate and Carrie have over 62 years in the childcare business industry and bring that background to their conversations. Having worked with over 5000 childcare programs across the country in the last 30 years together they are a fun and powerful team - ready to help you tackle your problems with practical solutions.

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