All Episodes

August 22, 2024 25 mins

The podcast features a conversation with Aleta Mechtel, who discusses her journey in managing staffing crises in childcare centers. Aleta, a 21-year childcare center owner, sold her centers in 2021 and founded a substitute teacher placement company in Minneapolis 11 years ago.

Here’s a structured summary of the podcast based on the topics discussed:


Introduction

  • Host’s Greeting: The host welcomes listeners and introduces the guest, Alisa Metal.
  • Topic Overview: The discussion will focus on managing staffing crises in childcare centers.


Alisa’s Background

  • Childcare Center Ownership: Alisa owned childcare centers for 21 years and sold them in 2021.
  • Substitute Teacher Placement Company: She founded a substitute teacher placement company in Minneapolis 11 years ago.


Identifying Staffing Challenges

  • Common Issues: Alisa noticed trends of staffing challenges such as turnover, absenteeism, and the need for giving teachers time off.
  • Initial Solutions: She started building a substitute list for her own center and asked neighboring centers if they would use it.


Company Evolution

  • Feedback and Growth: Positive feedback from neighboring centers led to the evolution of her substitute teacher placement company.
  • Overcoming Concerns: Initial concerns about competitors were alleviated as they trusted her substitutes.


Business Success

  • Scaling the Business: Alisa’s company grew into a multi-million dollar business.
  • Impact on Childcare Centers: The company helped maintain consistency in classrooms and supported directors.


Coaching and Franchising

  • Coaching Others: Alisa coaches other childcare centers and speaks at events.
  • Franchising Plans: Due to demand, she is considering franchising her business model.
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.