ChildCare Conversations

Hosted by Kate Woodward Young (co-founder Carrie Casey)

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Episodes

402

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Childcare Conversations was founded by cousins Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed., PCC, and Carrie Casey, MBA, to create practical, honest conversations about the real business and leadership challenges facing early childhood professionals. Today, the podcast is hosted by Kate Woodward Young and features childcare owners, directors, experts, and industry leaders talking about leadership, staffing, enrollment, finances, systems, growth, and the everyday decisions behind stronger early childhood programs. With hundreds of episodes and voices from across the field, Childcare Conversations helps early childhood leaders ask better questions, find practical ideas and trusted resources, and make better decisions for their businesses, programs, teams, children, and families. Real people. Practical ideas. Better decisions.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 202636 min

390: Why Gen Z Staff Leave — And How to Keep Them with Marie Young

Send us Fan Mail Why is retaining Gen Z employees in childcare about more than pay and scheduling? Kate Woodward Young and Marie Young explore Gen Z employee retention, childcare staff turnover, workplace culture, leadership, and communication to uncover what helps younger educators feel respected, supported, and motivated to stay. They share practical strategies for handling difficult conversations, offering flexibility, preventing burnout, and using employees’ individual strengths to improve onboarding and engagement. If you’re a childcare owner, director, or early childhood leader looking to reduce staff turnover and build a stronger team, this episode offers a fresh perspective on creating a workplace where great people want to stay. Check out this episode's sponsors: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ and https://daycareaccountingpro.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 20, 202627 min

389: Why Your First Hire for a Childcare Project Should Be an Architect with Matt Hart

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to renovate, build, or open a childcare center without costly surprises ? Matt Hart joins Kate Woodward Young to share lessons from managing complex early-learning construction projects, including transforming a 32,000-square-foot former nursing unit into an early-learning center. They explore childcare center construction, facility planning, renovations, licensing, building codes, fire safety, zoning, and construction budgeting . Matt explains why involving the right architect and general contractor early, and consulting local authorities before buying or leasing a property, can prevent expensive delays and unexpected costs. If you’re a childcare owner, director, or entrepreneur planning a new facility, renovation, or expansion , this episode offers practical advice to help you plan smarter and avoid costly mistakes. Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 15, 202637 min

388: How better systems could free childcare budgets for what matters with Mary Harper

Send us Fan Mail Could regulatory reform actually help childcare programs improve quality? Kate Woodward Young talks with Dr. Mary Harper about why reducing duplicative paperwork and outdated compliance processes could free up time and resources for what matters most: children, staffing, safety, and quality care . They explore childcare regulation, licensing, regulatory reform, workforce development, technology, compliance, and early childhood education , including how real-time data systems and better business practices could replace inefficient paper-based processes. Mary also shares lessons from military child care and why quality funding should support long-term systems change. If you’re a childcare owner, director, policymaker, or early childhood advocate , this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what meaningful regulatory reform could look like. Mary's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-harper-6b7a6010b/ TXAEYC LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-association-for-the-education-of-young-children/ TXAEYC webpage: https://texasaeyc.org/ We are giving away a free Leadership Day & Conference Bundle! All need to do is click on the link below and register. https://na.eventscloud.com/website/96369/ We will do our drawing 24 hours after this podcast and newsletter go live! Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 13, 202624 min

387: How One Founder Turned a Personal Need Into 21 Childcare Locations with Kristen Denzer

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to grow a childcare business without losing the values and families at its heart ? Kate Woodward Young talks with Kristen Denzer, CEO of Tierra Encantada, about building a bilingual, values-driven childcare brand from a personal need and creating a path toward nationwide growth. They explore childcare business growth, bilingual education, franchising, leadership, multi-state expansion, brand standards, and community partnerships , including why strong systems and training need to come before franchising. Kristen also shares lessons on mentorship, networking, market differences, and developing the skills needed to take a childcare business to its next stage. If you’re a childcare owner, entrepreneur, or aspiring franchise operator , this conversation offers practical insights for growing with purpose. Learn more at: https://www.tierraencantada.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendenzer/ Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 8, 202631 min

386: The Biggest Accreditation Mistake With Selena

Send us Fan Mail Is accreditation just another checklist—or can it actually help your early childhood program grow? Selena McNeely joins Kate Woodward Young to unpack what accreditation really means, why programs pursue it, and how to choose an accreditation path that fits your philosophy and goals. They explore childcare accreditation, quality improvement, self-study, staff training, family communication, staff retention, and program systems , including what the self-study process can reveal about your strengths and opportunities for growth. Whether you lead a traditional, Montessori, or other nontraditional program, this conversation offers practical insight into using accreditation as a tool for building a stronger, more intentional early childhood program. Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 6, 202619 min

385: 7 Reasons Music Belongs in Early Childhood, Not Just Art Class with Alisha Kriege

Send us Fan Mail What if your playground could become a music classroom—without requiring a music specialist ? Alisha Kriege of Freenotes Harmony Park joins Kate Woodward Young to explore how outdoor musical instruments can create inclusive, engaging, and standards-aligned learning experiences for children of all ages. They discuss music education, outdoor learning, inclusive play, sensory experiences, playground design, and parent engagement , including how pentatonic instruments make it easy for anyone to participate without worrying about playing a “wrong” note. Alicia also shares practical tips on choosing instruments, using QR codes and ready-to-use activities, managing sound and budgets, and creating outdoor spaces that bring children, educators, families, and the community together. If you’re a childcare director, educator, owner, or school leader looking to make your outdoor environment more meaningful, this conversation is worth a listen. Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

October 1, 202626 min

384: What Most Preschool Owners Miss When Choosing a Franchise Model With Amber Stravlo

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you find a preschool franchise that actually fits your educational philosophy and business goals ? Amber Stravlo shares how choosing Ivybrook Academy helped her grow enrollment from 40 to 162 children in one year while building a school centered on individualized learning, strong relationships, and family trust. Kate Woodward Young talks with Amber about preschool franchising, childcare business growth, enrollment strategies, curriculum, community building, and franchise support . From evaluating franchise models to using local Facebook groups, Google visibility, events, and relationship-based tours, Amber shares practical lessons for childcare owners, directors, and aspiring franchisees who want a proven business model without losing their mission. Listen to learn more about making the right decisions for your center! www.ivybrookacademy.com/lubbock LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amber-stravlo-b658691b4 Email: amber.stravlo@ivybrookacademy.com Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/ Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

September 29, 202623 min

383: The Hidden Grief Behind Divorce, Empty Nesting, and Job Changes With Vicki Hagadorn

Send us Fan Mail What if the stress and overwhelm you’re carrying isn’t just stress but unresolved grief ? Grief recovery specialist Vicki Hagadorn joins Kate for a powerful conversation about how grief can show up far beyond death or divorce, especially during major life transitions like retirement, menopause, moving, job loss, empty nesting, and children starting school. Vicki shares practical tools for grief recovery, emotional healing, leadership, parenting, and relationships , and explains why simply “pushing through” or compartmentalizing doesn’t always work. For early childhood educators, childcare leaders, parents, caregivers, and anyone navigating change , this episode offers a fresh perspective on grief and why becoming emotionally complete may be the key to moving forward. Check out this episode's sponsor: tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

September 24, 202626 min

382: Why Co-Regulation Works Better Than Self-Care Buzzwords With Cameile Henry

Send us Fan Mail What does co-regulation really look like when a classroom is chaotic, and everyone is overwhelmed? Kate Woodward Young talks with Camille from Strengthen Hands about self-regulation, emotional development, behavior support, and social-emotional learning in early childhood . They explore how educators can respond in those critical moments with connection and intention instead of simply telling children to “calm down.” Camille shares practical strategies for supporting overwhelmed educators, creating brave spaces, and using children’s books to open meaningful conversations about identity, emotions, and social-emotional development . If you’re an early childhood educator, director, or teacher leader looking for better ways to support children—and yourself—through big emotions, this conversation is worth a listen. Connect with our guest: Website: StrengthenHands.com Instagram: @StrengthenHands YouTube: @StrengthenHandsEDU Check out this episode's sponsor: tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

September 22, 202624 min

381: The 12-Month Process Behind Turning a Childcare School Into a Franchise With Krisana Puccio

Send us Fan Mail What if your next growth move isn’t another childcare location—but a whole new business model? Krisana Puccio shares how Pineapple School grew from one bilingual, family-centered child care program into a three-campus operation with a franchise strategy designed for sustainable growth. Kate Woodward Young and Krisana explore childcare expansion, franchising, business systems, EOS, leadership, and scalable operations , including what it takes to build the legal, financial, marketing, and operational foundation for growth. If you’re a childcare owner or director wondering whether your successful program could become something bigger, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to scale without losing what makes your school special. Learn more about our guest: www.pineappleschool.com www.ownapineappleschool.com www.linkedin.com/in/krisana-puccio Check out this episode's sponsor: tryplayground.com/partnerships/childcareconversations Thanks for Listening 🎧 Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖 Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals! Join our Podcast Newsletter ! Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more. Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!