In this special episode of The Forgotten ECE Podcast, I’m joined by two inspiring leaders in the early childhood education field: Carla Ward, host of The Everything ECE Podcast, and Julie Hansen, founder of The Inspired ECE.

We dive deep into practical and respectful guidance strategies for school-age children, exploring:

• Common challenges and how to reframe them
• Tools for building meaningful connections with kids
• Realistic approaches to structure and expectations
• A sneak peek into Carla and Julie’s exciting upcoming workshop on August 16th

Whether you're an educator, program leader, or advocate, this conversation is packed with powerful takeaways you can use right away.

✨ Connect with the Guests: 🔗 Carla Ward on Instagram: @elfoundations 🎧 Listen to Carla’s podcast: The Everything ECE Podcast 📸 Julie Hansen on Instagram: @inspired_ece

🗓️ Register for the August 16th workshop: 👉 elfoundations.thrivecart.com/guidance-strategies

🎧 Let’s keep showing up—because kids don’t stop growing when they turn six.

Time is short. Budgets are tight. But that doesn’t mean your programming has to feel flat or uninspired. In this episode, we dive into realistic, meaningful, and low-prep ideas that bring connection, joy, and purpose into your before and after school programs—without extra stress or spending.

From spontaneous games and open-ended materials to quick-win transitions and group reflections, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use tomorrow, even if your day is already jammed. Because sometimes, the most magical moments happen when we do less—with intention.

Perfect for:

✔️ Educators stretched thin

✔️ Teams working with limited resources

✔️ Anyone who wants to make a difference without burning out

You’ll walk away with:

• Easy go-to experiences that require zero prep
• Ways to shift mindset from “more stuff” to “more meaning”
• A challenge to reflect on what really makes an impact

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE, host Jamie Wagler explores how before and after school programs across different centres and agencies can move from isolation to collaboration. Discover how community-wide connections can reduce burnout, increase impact, and create more consistent, meaningful experiences for children and educators alike.

Whether you’re in a school, a community space, or a rural centre, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiring ideas to help you build bridges—not silos.