Send us a text Directors, listen up — saying no doesn’t make you mean, it makes you a leader. Too many of us spend our days exhausted, stressed, and stretched thin because we think every request has to be a “yes.” In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica talks about why boundaries are your secret leadership superpower and how saying no can actually make your “yes” more powerful. You’ll learn: ✅ How to set boundaries without guilt ✅ Why saying no helps your team grow ...

Send us a text Let’s get real for a minute — how can you lead others if you don’t really know yourself? 🤔 In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, we’re diving deep into self-awareness — the secret ingredient to powerful, authentic leadership. Because when you know who you are, why you make the choices you do, and what truly brings you joy, you don’t just lead better — you live better. We’ll unpack the tough questions every childcare leader and teacher should be asking:  ...

Send us a text Are you working hard… but not really going anywhere? Yeah, I’ve been there too. 🙋‍♀️ In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, we’re getting real about what it actually means to be intentional — not just busy. I’m sharing a powerful lesson I learned from John Maxwell’s 15 Laws of Growth that completely changed how I show up as a leader, a mom, and a human being. Spoiler alert: growth doesn’t just happen — you’ve got to plan it, protect it, and pursue it. So, let me as...

Send us a text In this heartfelt episode, Erica reflects on 35 incredible days spent traveling to AEYC conferences across the Northeast — from Connecticut to New Jersey, Maine, and Massachusetts — connecting with early childhood leaders who are making a difference every single day. From the joy of meeting longtime listeners to witnessing educators like Maris celebrate 50 years of impact, Erica shares powerful reminders about the strength of community and the real meaning of leadership in earl...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Director's Share podcast, Erica interviews Malik, a vendor at the New Jersey AEYC conference, who discusses his innovative AI tool designed to enhance engagement and retention in childcare settings. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling in education, the challenges of funding, and the future aspirations for integrating technology in early childhood education. Support the show We invite you to join our community of dedicate...

Send us a text In this heartfelt Veterans Day episode, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Karen, Director of the Dear to Dream Ranch in Rhode Island, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans. They explore the journey of healing, the importance of teaching children to give back, and how acts of kindness can shape both young hearts and the broader community. Tune in for inspiring stories, practical ways to instill compassion in children, and insights into the powerful impact of servic...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica and Amber discuss the essential qualities of effective leadership in education, the importance of team building, and the role of observations and assessments in fostering student growth. Amber shares her experiences and insights from her presentation at the njaeyc 80th anniversary conference, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in educational practices. The conversation a...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Share Podcast, host Erica speaks with Cindy Tera Bush, a fellow educator and podcaster, about her journey in early childhood education. They discuss the evolution of Cindy's career from teacher to director to podcaster, the challenges and rewards of navigating career transitions, and the importance of community engagement and advocacy in the field. Cindy shares her insights on embracing change, the power of podcasting, and the obligat...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, Erica speaks with Hannah from Earth Friends about the importance of environmental education in early childhood. They discuss how to integrate nature into classroom learning, the significance of fostering environmental stewardship in young learners, and the positive impact humans can have on nature. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators to teach children about their environment and instill a sense of respons...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica speaks with Lewis from LENA, a nonprofit focused on early childhood development. They discuss the importance of conversation in shaping children's brains, the role of strengths-based coaching for educators, and the significance of listening in leadership. Lewis shares insights from his experiences at the njaeyc conference, emphasizing the value of networking and community in education. The conversation highli...

Send us a text In this episode of The Child Care Directorship Podcast, host Erica Saccoccio dives deep into The Art of Making Genuine Connections — because real leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about authenticity. Erica shares how to create meaningful relationships that fuel collaboration, strengthen your team, and expand your impact beyond your center walls. She explores the leadership habits that help you stay grounded and connected — from the power of presence and curiosity to the co...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode of The Child Care Directorship Podcast, Erica Saccoccio kicks off her “Building Bridges” series with a heartfelt message about connection — because in early childhood education, success isn’t built on policies or paperwork, it’s built on people. 💛 Erica dives deep into what it really means to build bridges — between leaders and teachers, centers and families, and programs and their wider communities. You’ll hear practical ways to create stronger relati...

Send us a text In this special listener reply episode, Erica answers a heartfelt message from Wendy, an educator dreaming of opening her own nature preschool and launching a coaching business to support other early childhood professionals. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for me in childcare?” — this episode is your roadmap! Erica breaks down exactly how to start your own childcare business or coaching venture with simple, realistic steps that help you move from idea to action. You’ll le...

Send us a text It’s Halloween, friends — and if you work in childcare, you know what that means! Sugar highs, costume drama, glitter explosions, and at least one Elsa who refuses to take off her crown all day. In this hilarious and heartwarming episode, Erica takes you behind the scenes for a real look at one of the wildest days of the year in a childcare center. From teachers dodging frosting disasters to administrators running crowd control during the costume parade, this one’s got it...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directorship Podcast, Erica speaks with Tirusha Dave, an early childhood educator and entrepreneur, about her experiences in the field of childcare. They discuss the importance of supporting teachers, the impact of curriculum choices on student success, and the significance of servant leadership in early childhood education. Tirusha shares her advocacy efforts for childcare funding in New Jersey and reflects on her personal journey in the educa...

Send us a text In this conversation, Dr. Dan Wuori discusses the critical aspects of early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of play as a learning tool, the misconceptions surrounding school readiness, and the impact of policy on early childhood education. He highlights the challenges faced by the childcare workforce, including compensation issues and high turnover rates, while also expressing hope for the future of early childhood education through bipartisan support and advoca...

Send us a text Are your staff on the same page — or just nodding along? In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives into one of the most powerful yet underused leadership skills: listening to understand. Learn how listening — not just hearing — can: ✅ Demonstrate that you value your team ✅ Build trust and influence ✅ Encourage collaboration and alignment ✅ Elevate good ideas and untapped potential Erica shares practical strategies for imple...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica speaks with Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, about the challenges and innovations in staffing for preschools. Paul shares his journey from being a preschool teacher to leading a staffing solution that addresses the disconnect between educators and centers. The conversation explores the importance of flexibility, the role of technology in empowering educators, and the future of early childhood educatio...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair podcast, host Erica interviews Addy Caron, a 16-year-old aspiring educator attending the AEYC conference in Maine. Addy shares her passion for early childhood education, inspired by her experiences working with children at a summer camp. She discusses the challenges and rewards of helping underprivileged kids and emphasizes the importance of effective communication with children. Addy offers advice for those considering a career...

Send us a text In this episode of the Child Care Directors Chair Podcast, host Erica speaks with Jane Banish, an expert in early childhood education, about the importance of integrating science into preschool curricula. Jane shares her journey from environmental education to teaching, emphasizing hands-on learning and exploration. She discusses various materials that can enhance math and science exploration in the classroom, the benefits of fostering a sense of wonder in children, and the nee...