The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
Because childcare leadership deserves a real conversation.If you're looking for another leadership podcast filled with corporate buzzwords and theories from people who haven't stepped inside a childcare center in years... this probably isn't it.I'm Erica Saccoccio—a multi-center childcare owner, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and podcast host who still leads in the work every single day.This podcast is for childcare directors, daycare owners, assistant directors, preschool leaders, and early childhood professionals who are ready to find their voice, build confidence, strengthen their teams, and create programs where children, families, and educators thrive.Each week, you'll hear honest co...
The Other Side of Child Care: What Our Own Children Experience
Send us Fan Mail
Have you ever wondered what your own children really think about growing up with a parent who works in child care?
As early childhood teachers, directors, and leaders, we spend our days caring for other people's children. We bring home the stress, the long hours, the exhaustion, and sometimes even the emotional weight of the work we do. But have you ever thought about how that impacts our own children?
In this very special episode of Child Care Director's Chair, I sit down with 14-year-old Raine, the daughter of...
677 Great Teachers Don't Stay by Accident: Tamara Preston
Send us Fan Mail
What makes great teachers stay, and what causes them to walk away?
Recorded live at FLAEYC 2026, Erica Saccoccio welcomes Tamara Preston, Director of Early Learning at Crossroad Academy Charter School, for a conversation every child care director and early childhood leader needs to hear.
With 26 years in early childhood education, Tamara knows that strong programs begin with strong relationships, supported teachers, and leaders who recognize the value of the people in their classrooms.
Together, they explore teacher burnout, staff retention, the importance of early learning, and why...
676 Early Childhood Is More Than Play: Samantha Barclay Speaks Up
Send us Fan Mail
Why are early childhood educators still fighting for the respect they deserve?
Recorded live at FLAEYC in Florida, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Gainesville VPK teacher Samantha Barclay for an honest conversation about teacher pay, professional respect, play-based learning, and the future of early childhood education.
Samantha shares how a Head Start teacher inspired her career, why early childhood education extends from birth through age eight, and why educators need leaders who listen, support, and value their voices.
From advocating for better working conditions to helping new...
Leading Shouldn't Feel So Lonely: Mariah Burnley & Kristy Ritz
Send us Fan Mail
Who supports the leaders who spend every day supporting everyone else?
Erica Saccoccio sits down with Mariah Burnley, president of the West Virginia Association for Young Children (WVAYC), and Executive Director Kristy Ritz to talk about the real challenges of early childhood leadership, from staffing and financial pressures to advocacy, mentorship, and building a community of support.
And we're taking this conversation beyond the podcast!
I'm excited to be a keynote speaker and leadership expert at the West Virginia Directors Retreat, November 12–13, alongside my friends Kate Woodward Yo...
Trailblazer Weekly Session: The Power of What's Going Right | Reflect. Recognize. Reignite.
Send us Fan Mail
Trailblazers, we've spent almost a year growing together, working through challenges, sharing experiences, and becoming stronger leaders. This month, I want us to focus on something different.
I want us to appreciate how far we've come, the people who have supported us, and the lives we're building beyond our programs.
This episode is a personal reminder that while we're busy making a difference for everyone else, we deserve to find joy in our own lives, too.
Take some time for yourself, listen, reflect, and think about one...
675 Stop Leaving Teachers Behind! with Jennifer Michaud of MaineAEYC
Send us Fan Mail
Why are child care directors attending professional development conferences while their teachers stay behind?
Recorded live at the MaineAEYC Conference in Bangor, Maine, host Erica Saccoccio sits down with Jennifer Michaud, President of the MaineAEYC Board of Directors, to discuss early childhood leadership, educator advocacy, and why investing in your entire team matters.
From operating a family child care program to opening a child care center, Jennifer shares her leadership journey and how Maine's LEAP educator advocacy program helped her find her voice and become an advocate for early...
674 Family Child Care Is NOT Babysitting! The Business Behind Home-Based Child Care
Send us Fan Mail
Family child care is more than babysitting. It's early childhood education, business ownership, and leadership—all happening under one roof. So why are home-based child care providers still fighting for the same recognition as traditional childcare centers?
Recorded live at the 2026 FLAEYC Conference, host Erica Saccoccio sits down with Myrna Wright, a former registered nurse, family child care owner, and association president in Jacksonville, Florida, to uncover what it really takes to operate a successful home-based early learning program.
From managing staffing, tuition, and rising operating co...
673 Are We Overlooking the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators?
Send us Fan Mail
What if the solution to our early childhood staffing challenges is already sitting in a high school classroom—and we're overlooking it?
Recorded live at the 2026 FLAEYC Conference, host Erica Saccoccio sits down with Chelsea Watkins, a high school early childhood education teacher and preschool director in Duval County, Florida, to explore an exciting pathway for developing the next generation of educators.
Chelsea is doing more than teaching teenagers about early childhood education. She's giving students in grades 9–12 real classroom experience, professional training, and the opportunity to earn their Chil...
672 What If the Best Days of Early Childhood Are Ahead? | Karen Rainville
Send us Fan Mail
What if the future of early childhood education is brighter than we think?
There are challenges in our profession, but there are also incredible opportunities to grow, advocate, and create meaningful change. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of everything we're doing right!
Join Erica Saccoccio, host of Child Care Director's Chair, and Karen Rainville, Executive Director of Connecticut AEYC, for an inspiring conversation about the future of early childhood education and the people working to make it stronger.
Together, they explore the power of...
671 Who's Coaching the Coaches? Strengthening the Leaders Who Support Our Educators | Amy Bond
Send us Fan Mail
Coaches spend their days helping educators grow, but who's helping the coaches grow?
Behind every confident educator is often a coach, mentor, or leader who has helped them recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, and take their teaching to the next level. But even the most experienced coaches need opportunities to learn, reflect, and strengthen their own practice.
In this episode of the Child Care Director's Chair, host Erica Saccoccio welcomes Amy Bond from Michigan AEYC for an important conversation about investing in the people who...
670 Everyone Has a Story. What's Yours? | Brian Lee
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when two podcasters who love people and storytelling sit down together? You never know where the conversation will take you!
Join Erica Saccoccio, host of Child Care Director's Chair, and fellow podcaster Brian Lee for a fun, heartfelt conversation about life, marriage, grandchildren, and the unexpected journeys that shape who we become.
From what it's like being married to an early childhood educator to discovering the magic in everyday people, this episode is a reminder that everyone has something worth sharing.
Whether you're an educator...
668 The Joy Is Gone. Can Childcare Leaders Bring It Back?
Send us Fan Mail
When did early childhood education become more about surviving the day than enjoying the work we love?
Live from the 2026 FLAEYC Conference in Florida, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Sage Consulting to talk about bringing joy back into childcare centers. From teacher burnout and staff wellness to building trust and creating a positive workplace culture, this conversation challenges leaders to rethink how they support their teams.
Discover why joyful leadership isn't about pizza parties or appreciation gifts. It's about creating a workplace where educators feel valued, supported, and excited...
669 Parents + Providers: The Power Lawmakers Can't Ignore
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when parents and childcare providers stop fighting separate battles and start raising their voices together?
Live from the 2026 FLAEYC Conference, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Nina Perez, National Director and Florida Director of MomsRising, to discuss the childcare affordability crisis, the fight for public funding, and why advocacy matters now more than ever.
Childcare isn't just a parent problem or a provider problem. It's a national issue that impacts families, educators, businesses, and communities.
Discover how childcare leaders can empower families, build stronger...
667 Everyone Knows Child Care Is in Crisis. Who’s Fixing It?
Send us Fan Mail
Everyone has something to say about the child care crisis, but who is stepping up to create change? Recorded live at the 2026 FLAEYC Conference, Erica Saccoccio welcomes Marica Cox Mitchell of the Bainum Family Foundation and Norma Schwartz, FLAEYC President, to discuss child care leadership, advocacy, professional association membership, and the power of using your voice. Discover why building a stronger early childhood workforce takes collaboration, involvement, and leaders willing to turn conversations into action.
Support the show
The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by...
665 Before We Ask More of Teachers, Are We Giving Them What They Need?
Send us Fan Mail
What does it really take to build stronger teachers, support families, and prepare children for success before kindergarten?
Recorded live at the 2026 FLAEYC Conference in Florida, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Tamara Preston, an experienced early learning director, for a conversation about early childhood leadership, teacher burnout, professional development, and the importance of the first five years.
With 26 years of experience in early childhood education, Tamara shares practical insights every childcare director, daycare owner, and preschool leader can use to strengthen their teams and programs.
<...
666 You're Running a Childcare Center. But Are You Leading It?
Send us Fan Mail
Are you so busy running your childcare center that you've forgotten to lead it?
Recorded live at the 2026 FLAEYC Conference in Florida, Erica Saccoccio sits down with a quality specialist from a Florida Early Learning Coalition for a conversation about the difference between managing a childcare business and leading with vision.
Running a successful daycare or preschool takes more than managing schedules, staffing, and daily operations. It takes strong early childhood leadership, coaching, developing educators, and building a team that can grow with your program.
...
664 Who’s Fighting for Early Childhood Educators?
Send us Fan Mail
Who is making decisions about the future of early childhood education, and why aren't more childcare directors, daycare owners, and educators part of the conversation?
On this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Dr. Judy Prime, president of SECA, to talk about childcare advocacy, early childhood leadership, professional respect, and why our voices matter.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why childcare directors and educators need a seat at the table.How SECA and professional associations support early...663 Stop Chasing Grants! Find the Funding You're Missing with Shannon Maitland, MPA
Send us Fan Mail
What if the resources your childcare program needs are already in your community, but you're overlooking them?
Too many childcare directors and owners are spending hours searching for grants, struggling with enrollment, and trying to fund improvements without realizing that some of their biggest opportunities may come from relationships, partnerships, and simply learning how to tell their program's story.
In this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Shannon a problem-solving consultant who works with Head Start programs and...
662 Get Out of the Office! Your Teachers Need You with Mariela Lopez
Send us Fan Mail
Are you really leading your teachers, or are you just managing your program?
Some of the most important leadership moments don't happen in meetings or behind an office door. They happen in the classroom, during challenging transitions, unexpected staff callouts, and everyday moments when your educators need to know you've got their backs.
In this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Mariela Lopez, Director of the Preschool Lab at Miami Dade College, for an honest conversation...
661 Before You Correct the Behavior, Get Them Moving! | Preston Blackburn
Send us Fan Mail
What if the answer to some of your biggest classroom behavior challenges isn't another rule, reward chart, or consequence? What if children simply need more opportunities to MOVE?
The child who can't sit still, the one constantly crashing into things, or the child struggling through every transition may be telling us something important. And as educators, we need to start paying attention.
In this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Preston Blackburn, founder of Pop, Hop & Rock and Pivot...
660 Autism in the Classroom: Are We Supporting Our Teachers Enough? RIAEYC Interview
Send us Fan Mail
What if the behavior you're trying to stop is actually a child trying to tell you something?
Supporting children with autism in early childhood programs takes more than patience. It takes understanding, the right classroom strategies, and educators who feel confident and supported.
In this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, Erica sits down with Matt Clifford from the Trudeau Center. We talking about what directors and teachers need to know to help children with autism thrive. From understanding behaviors and sensory needs to creating inclusive learning e...
659 The 6 AM Call-Out: Who's Coming to Save Your Classroom? RIAEYC Interview
Send us Fan Mail
Every childcare director knows the feeling. It's 6:00 a.m., your phone starts ringing, two teachers have called out, and suddenly you're rearranging classrooms, calling everyone on your contact list, and wondering how you're going to make it through the day while maintaining ratios. Sound familiar? In this episode of The Child Care Director's Chair Podcast, we're talking about one of the biggest challenges facing early childhood leaders: finding reliable substitute teachers when you need them most.
We're exploring the future of substitute staffing, the challenges facing today's early childhood workforce, and a po...
658 We're Making Waves, But Are We Making Progress? (RIAEYC Interview)
Send us Fan Mail
What does it really take to bring hundreds of early childhood professionals together, and are conferences like these helping move our profession forward?
I'm sitting down with RIAEYC President Joe Pinsonneault for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the planning, passion, and people behind Rhode Island's early childhood conference. But we're going beyond the conference floor to talk about the bigger picture: where early education is succeeding, where we're still struggling, and what needs to happen next.
Whether you're leading a program in Rhode Island, Texas, California, or anywhere in between...
657 Why Early Childhood Is More About Connection Than Lesson Plans (RIAEYC Interview)
Send us Fan Mail
If you work in early childhood education, you know how much of this work happens in the little moments—helping a child feel safe, showing up for your team, and making a classroom feel like a place where everyone belongs .In this episode, Erica Saccoccio talks with a Rhode Island educator and child care director who has worked across the field, from the classroom to leadership. Together, they get real about what children and teachers need, how directors can support staff without micromanaging, and why consistency, recognition, and strong relationships matter so much. Wh...
656 The Hidden Work Teachers Do That Never Shows Up in Lesson Plans (RIAEYC Interview)
Send us Fan Mail
What does early childhood leadership look like when someone has done every job in the building? Erica Saccoccio sits down with a Rhode Island director who started in toddler classrooms, moved through preschool, and now leads with the rare kind of empathy that only comes from truly having been there.
Together, they unpack why the work has changed so much since pre-COVID kids, why social-emotional development matters more than ever, and how great educators are doing far more than what fits on a lesson plan. This conversation makes a powerful...
655 Bust a Move: Dr. Jamie Lewis on Leadership, Resilience & What Comes Next
Send us Fan Mail
What do you do when leadership gets hard, business gets heavy, and the path forward does not look anything like you expected?
Dr. Jamie Lewis joins Erica Saccoccio for a powerful conversation about resilience, rebuilding, opportunity, and making your next move with intention.
As one of the featured speakers at Culture Shock: Bust a Move, Jamie shares what called her to bring her story of resilience to a larger stage, what she hopes leaders take away from her message, and why she believes some of our greatest opportunities can...
654 Would You Want to Work for You on a Monday Morning?
Send us Fan Mail
Great teachers don’t always leave because of the labor market. Sometimes, they leave because of their experience at work. On this episode of The Child Care Directors Chair, Erica Saccoccio challenges childcare directors and owners to look beyond the staffing crisis and ask a harder question: Why would a great educator want to stay here? Drawing on her experience operating childcare programs, Erica explores how unclear expectations, inconsistent communication, favoritism, and over-reliance on dependable staff can affect retention. She also explains why appreciation matters—but can’t replace meaningful support—and why g...
Bonus: Making Waves in ECE: Why This Weekend Matters
Send us Fan Mail
This weekend, Rhode Island’s early childhood community is coming together—and this episode is about more than just attending another conference.
Erica shares what to expect at the 2026 RIAEYC Early Childhood Conference, including keynote speaker Anthony “Ant” Toombs Sr., breakout sessions, networking, resources, and opportunities to connect with educators and leaders from across the field.
But the real conversation is about what happens when we get outside of our own programs, meet new people, exchange ideas, and remember that we are part of something bigger.
The Child Ca...
653 The Toxic Teacher Problem: When Is Enough?
Send us Fan Mail
You know the teacher. She may be great with children. Families may love her. She may have been with you for years. But the gossip, negativity, eye rolling, complaining, and constant conflict are slowly changing the culture of your entire program.
So what do you do—especially when you’re already short staffed?
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio gets real about one of the hardest responsibilities of early childhood leadership: dealing with toxic behavior on your team.
But before we start...
652 Check In Before They Check Out: Supporting Your Teachers
Send us Fan Mail
What if one of the most powerful things a director could do for an educator was simply ask, “How are you doing?”—and actually listen to the answer?
Recorded at the Connecticut AEYC Conference, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Teresa Reynolds, a preschool teacher at Stonington Community Center and former registered behavior technician, for an honest conversation about what educators really need from the people leading them.
Teresa shares why open communication matters, how small check-ins can help educators feel seen before burnout takes over, and why there is a big...
651 You Take Care of Everyone. Who Takes Care of You?
Send us Fan Mail
Family child care providers are used to doing it all—caring for children, supporting families, managing the business, maintaining the home, and keeping everything moving. But what happens when the person holding it all together needs a reset?
In this honest conversation, we talk about the reality of running a family child care business and why taking care of your mind and body is just as important as taking care of your program. We also dig into the Family Child Care CEO™ 60-Day Reset and how providers can become more intentional abou...
650 The One Thing That Makes Children Love Coming to School
Send us Fan Mail
What separates a good early childhood educator from a truly great one? Eva from Church Early Learning Center makes the case that the answer is not just curriculum—it’s consistency, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping children feel safe, inspired, and seen. Recorded live at the Connecticut AEYC conference, this conversation with host Erica Saccoccio gets to the heart of what early childhood leadership really looks like on the ground. Eva shares what it means to be more than a classroom teacher—from supporting imagination and open-ended play to partnering with famili...
649 Stop Leading Alone: Why ECE Leaders Need Community
Send us Fan Mail
Early childhood leadership can feel lonely, especially when you are carrying the needs of children, families, staff, and an entire program. But strong leaders are not meant to grow in isolation.
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with Dr. Stephanie Hinton, President of Oklahoma AEYC, for an important conversation about mentorship, professional connection, advocacy, and building stronger leaders across early childhood education.
They talk about what professional associations can offer beyond conferences, why emerging leaders need access to mentors and meaningful relationships, an...
648 The Leadership Mistake Early Childhood Directors Keep Making
Send us Fan Mail
What if the fastest way to strengthen your early childhood program is not tighter control, but more accountability, empathy, and support? Ruth shares the leadership shifts that help educators feel seen, stay motivated, and do their best work for children and families. Recorded live at the CTAEYC conference in Connecticut, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Ruth Baugh for an honest conversation about what truly separates good programs from great ones. Ruth discusses mentoring new early childhood educators, why communication has to flow both ways, and why directors who want stronger classrooms need to...
647 Lead Beside Them: What Great Directors Do Differently
Send us Fan Mail
What separates a director who simply manages a program from a leader teachers actually want to work for?
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Nicole, a preschool owner and director from Seymour, Connecticut, live at the Connecticut AEYC Conference for an honest conversation about leadership, staff support, culture, and what it really takes to build a strong early childhood program.
Nicole shares why great directors cannot lead from behind a desk. They have to show up, communicate clearly, support their ed...
646 What Educators Need From Their Directors
Send us Fan Mail
What makes an educator feel truly supported by their director?
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica Saccoccio sits down with Reva Deonarine, a teacher assistant at Southfield Children’s Center, for a candid conversation about leadership from the educator’s side of the classroom.
Reva shares why compassion, flexibility, trust, and transparency matter, and what it meant to have a director stand beside her during a difficult family interaction. She also talks about the power of small leadership moments: listening when a teacher needs a brea...
645 Why Women Keep Minimizing Their Authority at the Table
Send us Fan Mail
Women in early childhood education aren’t “just” anything. They’re business leaders, employers, community builders, and decision-makers—and this conversation with Kate Woodward Young makes the case for why it’s time to stop apologizing for that power. Kate and host Erica Saccoccio unpack the hidden economic force behind child care: the millions in community revenue, the jobs supported by quality programs, and the leadership authority so many experienced women have been taught to minimize. In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why a child care center is a serious bu...
646 A Few Closing Words from Kevin ( Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
One of my favorite moments from my conversation with Kevin from WatchMeGrow came at the very end.
After talking about his work, the relationships he has built in early childhood education, and the role WatchMeGrow plays in supporting programs, Kevin took a moment to speak directly to the teachers doing this work every single day.
His message was simple, heartfelt, and important: thank you.
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring for children through the long days, the hard days, and the beautiful ones. Thank...
646 Behind the Camera: Meet Kevin from WatchMeGrow
Send us Fan Mail
What really happens behind the camera when it comes to building trust, supporting childcare programs, and helping leaders feel more confident about safety and communication?
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica sits down with Kevin from WatchMeGrow for a conversation that goes beyond cameras and technology. Kevin shares more about who he is, the work he does with early childhood programs, what he has learned from working directly with owners and directors, and why relationships matter so much in this field.
We also talk ab...
645 What Really Makes a Childcare Professional?
Send us Fan Mail
Professionalism in early childhood education is about much more than what you wear to work.
In this episode of The Child Care Director’s Chair, Erica takes a deeper look at what it really means to be a childcare professional, including how we communicate, how we write, what we post publicly, how we handle confidential information, the boundaries we create, and the consistency people experience from us every day.
Your words matter. Your delivery matters. Your judgment matters. And whether you are a teacher, director, owner, or administrator, the wa...
