ChildCare Conversations

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.

Podcasting since 2020 • 394 episodes

ChildCare Conversations

Latest Episodes

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

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...

September 24, 2026 • 26:01

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

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 franch...

September 22, 2026 • 24:02

380: The Lease Negotiation Lessons That Saved a Childcare Business With Mary Hornbeck

What should every childcare owner know before signing a lease or starting a build-out? Kate Woodward Young talks with Mary Hornbeck, a Kansas City childcare operator who grew from one classroom to four locations, about childcare facility lea...

September 17, 2026 • 31:19

379: The 15-Second Pitch That Gets People to Remember You With Tiffany Mason

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building real relationships that lead to trust, referrals, and opportunity. Kate Woodward Young and Tiffany Mason share practical strategies for networking, relationship buil...

September 15, 2026 • 30:37

378: The Hidden Cost of Not Investing in Your Best Teachers With Erica Saccoccio

What if your staffing problem isn’t a hiring problem; it’s a leadership and retention problem? Kate Woodward Young and Erica Saccoccio explore how childcare directors and owners can recognize hidden leaders, strengthen staff devel...

September 10, 2026 • 26:02