ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie
Kate and Carrie have over 62 years in the childcare business industry and bring that background to their conversations. Having worked with over 5000 childcare programs across the country in the last 30 years together they are a fun and powerful team - ready to help you tackle your problems with practical solutions.
Episodes
In this episode of Childcare Conversations, you’ll feel like you’re sitting down with two wise friends over coffee. Kate and Carrie get real about the financial ups and downs of running a childcare center, think about unexpected repairs, snow days, and the tricky balance between personal and business finances. They share smart strategies for building resilience, keeping staff in the loop, and planning for the unexpected....
In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat with Chris Mabasa, an experienced area director in childcare. Chris shares how his team keeps communication strong and leadership unified across four rapidly growing sites. Think daily check-ins, shared training, and creative staff events like the Dream Summit.
You’ll pick up practical tips on building a supportive culture, empowering staff, and m...
In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, the hosts chat about making professional development in childcare truly meaningful. They share tips on moving beyond “check-the-box” trainings, like using book clubs, setting personal goals, and encouraging real engagement; yes, even turning cameras on during virtual sessions!
Carrie offers resourceful strategies for reflective learning and ongoin...
In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, you’ll hear a down-to-earth chat with a professor from Texas Woman’s University about how classroom environments shape little ones’ learning and behavior. They swap stories and practical tips—think calming colors, less clutter, and spaces that match your program’s philosophy (Montessori, Reggio, etc.).
You’ll pick up resourceful ideas for making big i...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat about the wild ride that is January and February for childcare directors. They share real talk about feeling overwhelmed, juggling too many hats, and how simple systems (like “tiger time” and body doubling) can save your sanity.
You’ll pick up clever delegation tips, think about handing off party planning or SOP creation, and hear how automation and leadership development c...
You’re going to love this episode! Kate and Carrie sit down with marketing pro Ruth Ann Rose to chat about how childcare centers can boost enrollment with smart, consistent branding. They swap stories about marketing mishaps (including a cringe-worthy website link fail!), explain why your digital footprint matters, and share easy tips for keeping your online presence polished.
Ruth Ann’s advice is practical and...
In this episode of Childcare Conversations with Kate and Carrie, it’s just Carrie at the mic, diving deep into the tough realities facing childcare in the U.S. She unpacks legal battles over subsidy freezes in five states, Head Start’s fight for DEI, and the ripple effects of payment delays and funding cuts.
Carrie’s got practical advice and heartfelt stories, all with a dose of hope and resourcefulness. If you care abou...
In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with the ever-resourceful Logan (aka “Logan the Leprechaun”) to chat about creative ways to fund your child care program. They share tips on using data you already collect, crafting compelling stories, and—here’s the gold—tapping into local business marketing budgets for sponsorships and discounts. You’ll walk away with new ideas and the confidence to a...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie get interviewed in an episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair. Erica Saccoccio sits down with them to chat about building real, lasting partnerships between schools and families. They share smart, down-to-earth tips—like swapping rushed updates for meaningful stories and asking parents thoughtful questions at pick-up.
The trio reminds us that when educators and families becom...
In this episode of Childcare Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with leadership consultant Jaime Rechkemmer for a warm, insightful chat about women’s leadership in early childhood education. Jamie shares her journey, the power of informal mentoring, and how real growth often comes from everyday connections—not just formal titles.
They discuss the challenges women face in balancing career and family, and wh...
In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," Kate and Carrie sit down with Tyler and Autumn from Wichita Falls’ Southside Youth Center to chat all things school-aged care. You’ll hear how their program blossomed from a small girls’ club into a vibrant STEAM hub, plus get the inside scoop on the joys (and quirks!) of working with older kids.
They share resourceful tips for nonprofit management, creati...
In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," Kate and Carrie sit down with Kaila Linder, an AI trailblazer and preschool owner, to chat about how artificial intelligence is transforming the childcare industry. ☎️🤖 Kayla shares her journey from teacher to tech innovator, introducing tools like “AI Emily” that help centers answer calls, manage messages, and even monitor online reviews. The trio swap practical t...
In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with tax pro David of DaycareAccounting Pro to chat about smart, proactive tax strategies just for childcare center owners. They break down why traditional accountants might miss big savings and how working with a specialist can free up money for things like teacher bonuses or playground upgrades.
David shares real-life success stories and ti...
You’re in for a treat with this episode of "Childcare Conversations"! Kate and Carrie sit down with insurance specialist Sam Phillips, who shares her hard-earned wisdom on protecting your childcare business. From why bundling insurance isn’t always your friend to decoding tricky policy terms (think: insurance made as easy as a Tinder swipe!), this episode is packed with practical tips. Sam’s real-life stories a...
In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat about kicking off 2026 with a fresh mindset for childcare leaders. They share practical tips on setting micro-goals (no vision board required!), finding the right mentors or coaches, and building a supportive network. Whether you’re facing enrollment challenges or just need a confidence boost, they’ve got you covered. The big takeaway? Focus on what brings...
In this episode of ChildCare Conversations, you’ll sit in on a warm chat with Lori Buxton from the Association of Early Learning Leaders and our hosts Kate and Carrie. Lori shares her unexpected journey into early childhood care, the healing power of children’s love, and her passion for supporting leaders.
Together, they swap stories about leadership, communication, and the joys (and chaos!) of running childcar...
In this episode of "Childcare Conversations," hosts Carrie and Carrie sit down with Jerletha McDonald, CEO of Family Tracker, to chat about the joys and challenges of home-based childcare. Julia shares her inspiring journey from hospital lab tech to passionate childcare advocate, and they all swap stories about why many providers love the flexibility and community of small, family-focused programs.
Yo...
In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie chat with Denita Dinger, a passionate early childhood educator, about the magic of child-led play. They dive into the challenges of balancing structured themes with letting kids’ interests lead the way—even when programs have strict schedules.
You’ll pick up practical tips for weaving children’s voices into daily routines, plus hear about resources li...
In this episode of Child Care Conversations, you’ll join Kate, Carrie, and guest Tim Kaminski for a warm, insightful chat about what it really takes to lead in early childhood education. Tim shares his journey from healthcare to child care, the ups and downs of family business, and how he became a passionate advocate for the industry.
You’ll pick up practical tips on building relationships with policymakers, co...
In this episode of Child Care Conversations, Kate and Carrie sit down with Susie Beghin, a passionate early childhood leader from Toronto. They chat about weaving STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into preschool life—think block play as “engineering” and art projects inspired by real architecture!
Susie shares her Four Pillars of Learning framework and offers clever tips for integrating li...
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