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Your voice matters—and so does your personal brand. In this episode of The Child Care Directors Chair, Erica talks with Renee Carbone Fleming about how early childhood educators can step into leadership with confidence and authenticity. They explore how to build a personal brand that reflects your strengths, earn trust through intentional leadership, and overcome the fear of imperfection. If you’re ready to show up fully, advocate for your worth, and lead in a way that’s uniquely yours, this episode is your roadmap.

Early Childhood Education Empowerment Conference – Learn – Reflect – Collaborate

Unapologitically Badass Podcast

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We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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Join Erica on The Childcare Director’s Chair for an honest conversation about feedback, leadership, and why clarity is one of the greatest forms of care we can offer our teams. In early childhood education, many leaders confuse being nice with being kind—and that confusion leads to mixed messages, frustration, and burnout.

In this episode, Erica breaks down how clear, confident feedback builds trust, strengthens culture, and supports accountability without tearing people down. You’ll walk away with practical ways to guide your team, uphold standards, and lead with both heart and authority—so your staff feels supported, not second-guessed, and your program can thrive.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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Hey friends! Today I’m taking a pause from all the leadership tips and childcare strategies to do something I’ve been meaning to say for a long time: I love you all. Seriously. Whether you’ve been here from the very beginning, just found us, or are tuning in from across the globe, you are the heart of this community.

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 reasons why you all are the best listeners ever, giving a huge shout-out to cities from California to East Lansing, New Jersey to Georgia — and of course my friends up north in Canada. And to everyone listening from Singapore, Australia, Finland, France, Mexico, the UK, Germany, and beyond — you make this podcast feel like a global family.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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Childcare programs aren’t struggling because leaders lack passion or skill — they’re struggling because the system is built on unsecure, short-term funding. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, we take an honest look at how unstable funding streams directly impact staffing, retention, enrollment, and long-term sustainability in early childhood programs.

We unpack the hidden pressure temporary grants and wage supports place on owners and directors, how funding uncertainty affects educator trust and family confidence, and why today’s childcare leaders are being forced to act as financial strategists in a system that rarely offers clear guidance. This episode connects the dots between workforce challenges and funding instability — and explains why leadership alone can’t fix a broken structure.

If you’re a childcare owner or director tired of reacting and ready to lead with clarity, this episode is a must-listen. We also share why spaces like the Early Empowerment Conference matter right now — and how connecting with the right resources and people can give you the edge needed to build a more sustainable future.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

Start your new year with confidence, clarity, and direction. In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair Podcast, we dive deep into how emerging, empowered, and visionary early childhood leaders can step into the new year with a powerful plan of action.

Whether you're running a center, leading a classroom team, or stepping into a new leadership role, this episode will help you take control of your systems, strengthen your culture, elevate your leadership, and move into 2025 with intention—not overwhelm.

We cover:

• How to set aligned priorities instead of overwhelming goals
• Why directors must shift from reactive to proactive leadership
• The 4-part action plan every childcare leader needs
• How to bring more calm, clarity, and consistency into your center
• Strategies for strengthening your centered leadership
• How to take control of your career growth and elevate your leadership identity

This episode is your reminder that you’re not just managing a center—you’re building a legacy. Step into the new year with vision, alignment, and the leadership confidence you deserve.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

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What happens when educators pause long enough to reflect on their teaching, their children, and themselves? Everything.
Join us for a down-to-earth conversation about the role of reflection in building strong teams, supportive relationships with families, and meaningful learning environments. And—because we love surprises—we’re giving you a chance to win a 3-day ticket to the Early Education Empowerment Conference for your director. Tune in, reflect, and take action.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio gets to the heart of what truly drives quality in early learning: relationships. Before the curriculum, before the routines, before the perfect learning environment—comes the bond between children and the adults who care for them.

Erica unpacks why positive, caring, and supportive interactions are the real curriculum of early childhood, shaping everything from a child’s confidence to their lifelong approach to learning. She also breaks down exactly what leaders must do to build a relationship-centered culture—one where teachers feel supported, families feel welcomed, and children feel deeply valued.

Whether you’re a new director or a seasoned leader, this episode will help you strengthen your team, elevate your practice, and build classrooms where connection comes first and learning thrives.

Ready to lead with more confidence, clarity, and community?
Join our Leadership Community at ChildcareDirectorsChair.com for monthly trainings, downloads, tools, and the ongoing support every director.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.

Send us a text

In this episode of The Childcare Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio dives deep into one of the most powerful truths in early childhood education: children grow and learn across multiple worlds. Their families, cultures, languages, communities, and early learning environments all shape who they are—and who they’re becoming.

Erica breaks down how relationships, attachments, cultural identity, multilingual development, and even larger social systems influence a child’s sense of belonging, confidence, and learning potential. This episode will challenge you to look beyond the classroom and truly honor the full story each child brings with them.

Whether you’re a seasoned director or just starting your leadership journey, this conversation will reshape how you support children, families, and your teaching team.

Ready to elevate your leadership, access powerful tools, and join a community of directors who are building the future of ECE?

👉 Visit ChildcareDirectorsChair.com to join our Leadership Community and get instant access to trainings, downloads, discussions, and monthly content designed to help you lead with confidence and impact.

Support the show

We invite you to join our community of dedicated listeners by supporting our podcast with a monthly subscription. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to continue producing valuable content that empowers you to effectively lead your team and childcare business to success. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive benefits, but you also help us in our mission to provide you with practical and actionable bite-sized strategies on a daily basis that you can implement immediately.

Investing in our podcast is an investment in your own growth and the success of your business. We firmly believe that by prioritizing the well-being of your team, you are paving the way for long-term success. Join us in this journey towards excellence and subscribe today to unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that will propel you towards your goals. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can achieve greatness. Thank you for considering a monthly subscription to our podcast.