Kelly is back with friend and colleague, Morgan Smoke, to discuss the importance of tours in childcare centers. They talk about the challenges of maintaining a waitlist and how a healthy waitlist can actually help with enrollment. They share their love for giving tours and the pride they feel in showcasing their centers. They also discuss the benefits of being parents themselves when giving tours because of the personal perspective they can give prospective families during their tour experience. Morgan highlights the use of CareDay for scheduling tours and converting them to waitlist registrations. They also share some tour stories and give advice for conducting successful tours.

In this episode of CareCast, Kelly is chatting with her work bestie and fellow child care professional, Morgan Smoke. They talk about their friendship, their journey in the field, and the challenges they face as administrators. They also touch on the importance of hiring the right staff, keeping everyone happy, and the high standards in child care. They share stories about their roles as educators turned mothers and the different strengths they bring to their positions. The episode ends with a game of Two Truths and a Lie, where they share child care-related facts about themselves.

In this interview Kelly is back with Heather Hughes discussing her current role in childcare and her approach to classroom observations. Heather explains that her role involves both whole classroom observations and individual observations of struggling children. She emphasizes the importance of effective communication between teachers and parents and the need for early intervention. Heather also discusses her mindset during observations, her note-taking style, and the significance of co-teacher teamwork. She shares practical tips for conducting observations and highlights the importance of seeing behavior as a form of communication. Overall, observations are crucial for ensuring that the classroom environment and activities are appropriate for children's development.

In this conversation, Heather Hughes, a former teacher and current behavioral support educator, speaks about her journey in working with young children and their families. Heather discusses the importance of setting appropriate expectations for children based on their developmental age and the negative impact of unrealistic expectations. She shares a story about a child in her kindergarten class who struggled with sitting still and how she used a behavior modification technique to help him self-regulate. Heather emphasizes the need for teachers to be mindful of their words and actions, as children are highly perceptive and can internalize negative labels. The conversation concludes with a preview of the next episode, where Heather will discuss her role in conducting classroom observations and providing support to teachers.

In this episode, Jared Goodykoontz, also known as Jared the Nature Guy, discusses the importance of building community and creating events that bring families together in nature. He shares how he fosters community in his nature classes through routine, sharing nature stories, and playing games. Jared also talks about the nature parties he organizes, where families can explore and play games in nature. He highlights the role of Care Day in facilitating event organization and registration. Jared encourages teachers and parents to connect with nature by planting native plants, which attract wildlife and provide opportunities for children to observe and learn about nature.

In this episode, we're joined by Jared, a passionate educator who leads nature classes for children. With a focus on hands-on experiences and fun activities, Jared aims to instill a love for nature in young hearts. He advocates for the 'coyote method,' where learning is disguised in engaging and interactive lessons. Discover the myriad benefits of outdoor play, including increased calmness, improved gut health, and the development of empathy. Jared encourages parents to embrace simple nature activities with their children, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. Tune in as we explore the importance of overcoming fear and finding beauty in nature's wonders, right in our own backyard.

In this episode, we delve into the vital role of art education in early childhood development. We explore how art fosters fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Process art takes center stage, emphasizing the benefits of allowing children to explore without predetermined outcomes. We discuss how art activities provide valuable unstructured time for relaxation and self-expression. Overcoming fear of messiness, we share practical tips for setting up outdoor art stations and using recyclable materials. Lastly, we uncover the magic of mixing art supplies to enhance children's creativity and engagement. Join us as we unlock the transformative power of art in childcare!

In this engaging episode, Kelly interviews an Art Educator and they delve into their extensive experiences in education and childcare, emphasizing the significance of art in children's growth. They discuss how art contributes to relaxation and self-expression, reflecting on the effects of toxic work environments and the dynamic challenges of being stay-at-home mom vs. a working mom. The duo highlights the rewards of incorporating art into education, dispelling common misconceptions and championing children's creativity.

Join us in our latest episode of CareCast as we dive deep into the world of child care management with our expert guests, Child Care Directors Codi and Annie. Together with host Kelly, they unravel the importance of effective communication in the childcare industry. From sharing their go-to communication tools like Slack and CareDay to offering invaluable tips on navigating tough conversations, this episode is packed with actionable insights for daycare professionals. Tune in for expert advice and a reminder that challenges are just temporary bumps on the road to success. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Join us as Codi and Annie unravel the significance of the daycare co-director relationship. Drawing from their extensive experience, they emphasize how this partnership not only fosters a deeper understanding of daily challenges in the child care industry but also forges bonds that transcend the professional realm. Codi and Annie recount their collaborative efforts, highlighting how synergy among staff members ensures the safety and well-being of the children under their care.

Daycare Chief of Marketing praises the impact of CareDay in empowering her marketing efforts through data-driven decision-making.

Self-taught marketer, Haley Beroske, shares her her journey of DIY marketing in the childcare industry.

DayCare CEO reveals her number 1 Tool for Driving up Childcare Enrollment

Daycare CEO reveals how she has grown a successful childcare company from the ground up.

Episode two covers how one chief of learning was able to create and implement curriculum for a daycare that aligns to infant, toddler, and preschool state learning standards.

Our first episode dives deep into the friendship between two early childhood educators. Taylor + Kelly reminisce about their time as preschool co-teachers, sharing hilarious classroom stories, potty training competitions, and their contrasting teaching styles.