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
Pull up a chair, friend! In this episode, we chat all about what it really means to lead in childcare. 🦆🦢 They swap stories and metaphors (think ducks vs. geese!) to explore the difference between managing and truly leading a team. With warmth and wisdom, they stress the importance of self-awareness, knowing your values, and finding your own leadership style.
If you’ve ever wondered how to inspire your tea...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie sit down with Kathy Ligon from Hinge Advisors to chat about the tricky balance between purpose and profit in childcare. Kathy shares smart tips on understanding occupancy rates, bridging the communication gap between directors and owners, and why financial health is key to quality care.
They swap stories, offer practical advice, and remind us that a strong financial foundatio...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie sit down with Carson Wagner, the heart behind Lifetime of Love Nannies in Reno. Carson shares her inspiring journey from teen caregiver to agency owner, opening up about the real-life challenges—and joys—of supporting kids with special needs. The trio chats about why hands-on experience often trumps formal education, the power of partnerships in childcare, and creative ways to diversif...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat live from the Early Childhood Empowerment Conference with Princess Shenette Zachary, a true powerhouse in the childcare industry. She shares her inspiring journey from the entertainment biz to building a thriving childcare empire, all sparked by motherhood.
We get a peek into her family’s legacy, her passion for empowering kids, and her knack for helping others start the...
In this episode, Carrie and Kate delve into the often-overlooked financial and social significance of childcare centers. They encourage providers to recognize their worth, highlighting that many centers can generate around $1 million in revenue. 💰 Carrie and Kate emphasize the importance of rephrasing the language used to describe their roles, shifting away from "just a director" to acknowledging their subs...
In this episode, hosts Kate and Carrie chat with compliance expert Lynn Wenger about the importance of compliance in childcare centers. Lynn shares her journey into early education and emphasizes that compliance goes beyond just meeting licensing requirements—it includes safety protocols, brand standards, and operational processes.
She introduces the "trifecta" of compliance tools: SOPs, checklists, and audi...
In this episode, co-hosts Kate and Carrie sit down with Latrice Galloway, the founder of the "Born to Teach" conference. Latrice shares her journey into childcare, which began when she couldn't find quality care for her son and decided to open her own center. She emphasizes the importance of team learning and hiring the right staff to create a nurturing environment.
The "Born to Teach&quo...
In this episode, hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Dr. Jamalynn Lewis, a resilient childcare provider from New Orleans. Jamalynn shares her inspiring journey into early childcare, highlighting the grit needed to navigate the industry, especially post-COVID-19. They all discuss the pandemic's impact on childcare, the struggles parents face, and the critical role of community support.
Jamalynn emphasizes th...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat with Vernon Mason Jr., a childcare veteran with over 32 years of experience. They dive into the staffing challenges that hit childcare programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vernon shares his journey from running a family childcare program to becoming a keynote speaker and author.
The trio discusses the importance of leadership, professional development, and engaging tea...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat about turning ideas into actionable steps to improve childcare programs. They tackle common challenges like managing enrollment, understanding financial impacts, and creating standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Key takeaways include:
- Understanding Enrollment Needs: Know why enrollment goals matter, including financial and ratio impacts.
- Creating Actionable Steps: Bre...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie sit down with Tafta Miller, who runs two childcare centers in Monroe, Louisiana. They dive into the importance of mentorship and coaching for new directors in the childcare industry. With her 30 years of experience, Tafta shares how having a mentor could have made her early days much smoother. She offers practical advice on finding the right coach, navigating post-COVID challenges, and...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie chat with Alisha about the vital role playgrounds play in childcare settings. They dive into the benefits of investing in high-quality playground equipment versus DIY options, emphasizing safety, longevity, and return on investment.
Alisha shares tips on evaluating equipment, the importance of maintenance, and how playgrounds can enhance a childcare program's marketing s...
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," co-hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Chanie Wilschanski, CEO of Schools of Excellence. Chanie shares her expertise on managing childcare programs, especially during challenging times like the COVID pandemic. She introduces the "five gears" of childcare management: enrollment, staff retention, parent engagement, financial health, and program quality.
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie dive into the nitty-gritty of financial planning for childcare providers. They chat about the importance of having a financial safety net, humorously dubbed the "oh sh*t fund" (OSF), to handle unexpected changes like those brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
They share practical tips to build this fund, such as using registratio...
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Karly, an educator and director, about the magic of integrating STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in early childhood education.
Carly shares her excitement over new materials from "Play with a Purpose," like pretend food and a dinosaur bone kit, which are transforming play...
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," hosts Kate and Carrie chat with Daniel and Sasha about their innovative software, Playground, which aims to make life easier for childcare providers. Daniel shares touching stories about his family's childcare background, revealing the inspiration behind Playground. Sasha dives into the techy side, explaining features like CRM and marketing automation that ...
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat with Christy Black and Jordan Owens, franchise owners of Primrose Preschool. They dive into the importance of community involvement and how it positively impacts both staff and families.
Christy and Jordan share their experiences with community outreach, like volunteering and hosting events, which not only enrich their staff's ...
In this episode, Kate and Carrie dive into the hot topic of staff accountability in childcare settings. They chat about the common concerns directors have regarding the work ethic of younger staff members. Carrie explores generational differences, emphasizing the importance of empathy in leadership.
They stress the need for effective onboarding and training for new directors, balancing accountability with un...
In this bonus episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie chat with Prerna Richards, founder of "Together We Grow," and Laura Nelson, Director of Education for a multi-site program. They dive into the challenges of behavior management in childcare and how Prerna's training has transformed Laura's centers.
Prerna introduces a new Behavior Specialist Certification progr...
How many leadership books do you have that are written by women?
In this episode of "Child Care Conversations," Kate and Carrie discuss the lack of representation of women in leadership literature, especially in childcare. 🎙️ They share their eye-opening experience at a conference where, despite a majority female audience, the recommended leadership books were mostly written by white men.
Thi...
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