If you see CACFP as extra, you’re already leading with the wrong lens. #TheBusinessOfEarlyChildhoodEducation #AletheaEtinoff #CACFPCompliance #ChildcareNutritionMatters #EarlyEdLeadership #ECELeaders #Thebusinessofearlychildhoodeducation 9pjOBI4P2p169pj1Ih5g

Your team isn’t leaving because of pay alone. If you’re leading people, you need to hear this today.

Run your program like someone’s always watching because good leadership doesn’t wait for a warning. Audits don’t create problems, they confirm them. #TheBusinessOfEarlyChildhoodEducation #AletheaEtinoff

In this Leadership Tip, I challenge ECE leaders to stop waiting for policy changes and focus on building sustainable strategies now.

Alethea Etinoff delivers a powerful reminder about the importance of encouraging yourself by documenting your achievements. When external validation is missing, your personal record of wins becomes your motivation to keep going.

In this episode I reflect on how the rise of AI is challenging all of us to adapt not just in business but in how we show up for ourselves. Pivoting is not weakness. It is wisdom especially when the world around us will not slow down.

I led the Director’s Nook and completely blanked on a topic I know well. This episode is about owning public failure, leading with honesty, and moving forward without shame.

I was frustrated—only 30% were actually doing the work we were required to submit, yet the requests for that same information kept coming. In this episode, I share how I stopped resisting, found a way to automate the redundancy, and turned an annoying task into a strategic win.

If you’re in early childhood education, your first step is understanding your state’s regulations. Compliance protects your license, your income, and your reputation—know the rules before you build.

Marketing is daily task

Ideal for those managing CACFP participation in early learning settings, this two-minute update cuts through the noise so you can stay ready.

In this episode, Alethea Etinoff shares why having systems in place isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Whether you’re in the building or taking a break, your business should still function. Learn how intentional systems can help you stay consistent, reduce burnout, and grow with purpose.

Alethea shares why CACFP is a powerful but overlooked resource for educators—and how using it wisely can help you stay funded, fed, and focused.

BECEThreads™ started with a vision to normalize respect, professionalism, and pride in early childhood entrepreneurship. In this quick episode, I break down why the message on your shirt matters, how branding can fuel community, and why we’re not waiting for validation we’re building it ourselves.

In today’s tip, I’m breaking down how one small shift—switching from my laptop to my phone—helped me keep up with daily documentation and stay in compliance. The right system isn’t about perfection. It’s about ease, consistency, and making your business sustainable. Whether it’s Teaching Strategies GOLD or meal tracking, if the system doesn’t fit your life, it won’t last. This episode is your reminder to simplify.

In this short episode, I’m breaking down why I trademarked The Business of Early Childhood Education™—and why every serious entrepreneur should protect their brand.

You don’t need perfect conditions to build something powerful. In this episode, Alethea Etinoff shares why showing up—especially when it’s not perfect—is part of the work. A real reminder for ECE leaders committed to progress, not perfection.

Are you running a business—or just stuck in a job you created for yourself? This episode challenges educators and entrepreneurs to rethink what true ownership really looks like.

Welcome to The Business of Early Childhood Education™—the podcast where passion meets power. I’m Alethea Etinoff, and this space is dedicated to bold conversations, real strategy, and sustainable success for childcare business owners. In this special relaunch episode, I’m celebrating the final approval of my federally registered trademark, The Business of Early Childhood Education™. This milestone is more than a win for me—it’s a statement that our work, our voices, and our leadership in early education matter. Let’s talk legacy, ownership, and what’s next.

We’re not conforming to anyone’s preconceived ideas about us