CareCast: Stories from the Childcare Trenches

Summary 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. Key Takeaways Maintaining a healthy waitlist can help with enrollment in childcare centers. Being a parent can enhance the tour experience and create personal connections. Using CareDay for scheduling tours and converting them to waitlist registrations can streamline the process. Remembering people's names during tours can make a lasting impression. Following up with tour attendees and providing additional information can keep the center at the top of their minds.

Summary: 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. Takeaways: The child care industry requires dedicated and passionate individuals who can handle the challenges of the job. Hiring the right staff is crucial for the success of a child care center. Balancing the happiness of teachers, parents, and children is a constant challenge in child care. Educators turned mothers often have higher expectations and worries about their own children's development. Different individuals have different strengths in child care, and pairing them up can lead to a well-functioning center.

Summary: 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. Takeaways: Effective communication between teachers and parents is crucial for addressing children's behavioral concerns. Observations help identify areas for improvement in the classroom environment and activities. Behavior should be seen as a form of communication, and understanding the underlying message is key to supporting children. Co-teacher teamwork plays a significant role in creating a positive classroom environment. Observations require a mindset of being an investigator and understanding the child's perspective. Taking detailed notes during observations helps provide a comprehensive picture of the situation. Observations contribute to the overall culture of the classroom and support children's development.

Summary: In this conversation, Kelly interviews Heather Hughes, a former teacher and current behavioral specialist, 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. Takeaways: Setting appropriate expectations for children based on their developmental age is crucial to avoid setting them up for failure. Behavior is a form of communication, and it is important to understand the underlying reasons behind a child's behavior. Tracking and analyzing behavior patterns can provide insights into the frequency and triggers of certain behaviors. Teachers should be mindful of their words and actions, as children are highly perceptive and can internalize negative labels. Classroom observations can help identify areas where teachers may need support and provide opportunities for constructive feedback and improvement.

Summary: 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. Takeaways: Building community is important for children and families to thrive. Routine, sharing stories, and playing games can help foster community in nature classes. Nature parties and events provide opportunities for families to come together and enjoy nature. Care Day's event platform simplifies event organization and registration. Planting native plants can attract wildlife and provide opportunities for children to connect with nature.

Summary: 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. Takeaways Nature classes for children focus on hands-on experiences and fun activities. Outdoor play promotes calmness, improved gut health, and empathy. Parents can engage in simple nature activities with their children, such as saying hi to bugs or exploring their backyard. Overcoming fear and appreciating the beauty of nature in everyday life is important.

Summary: In this episode, host Kelly Manofsky is back with art educator Heather Brummel discussing the importance of art education in early childhood and the benefits of process art over product art. They also explore the role of art in child development, the fear of messiness, and the use of unconventional art supplies. Heather shares her top recommendations for art supplies and encourages parents and teachers to embrace creativity and provide opportunities for unstructured art exploration. Key Takeaways: Art education is important in early childhood as it helps children develop fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Process art, where children are given the freedom to explore and create without a specific end product in mind, is more beneficial than product art. Art activities provide children with unstructured time to relax, express themselves, and develop important skills. Parents and teachers can overcome the fear of messiness by setting up art activities outdoors, using recyclable materials, and providing multiple supplies for children to experiment with. Mixing different art supplies and materials can enhance children's creativity and engagement in art activities.

Summary In this conversation, Kelly interviews her friend Heather Brummel, who has a background in art education and currently teaches art classes to kindergartners. They discuss Heather's journey in childcare and education, her approach to planning art classes, and the importance of encouraging creativity in children. They also play a word association game to test how in sync their thinking is. Takeaways The importance of allowing children to freely express themselves through art and not placing pressure on creating a perfect outcome. The role of teachers in supporting art classes and encouraging children's creativity. The potential long-term benefits of art for children's personal growth and development. The value of art as a bonding experience and a way to relax and have fun.

Summary In this episode, Kelly is back with talks with Child Care Directors, Codi and Annie, about the importance of communication in their roles. They discuss their favorite communication tools, such as Slack and CareDay, and how these platforms have improved communication with staff and parents. They also share tips for managing tough conversations and handling difficult situations. The episode concludes with advice for new admins and the reminder that nothing is permanent and things will get better. Key Takeaways Effective communication is crucial in managing childcare centers. Tools like Slack and CareDay can help streamline communication with staff and parents. Tough conversations are a part of the job, and it's important to approach them with support and empathy. New admins should lean on others for support and remember that challenges are temporary. Connect with us: ⁠Instagram: @caredaysolutions⁠ ⁠Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutions⁠ ⁠Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/⁠ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. ⁠https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

In this episode of Carecast, host Kelly interviews Codi and Annie, who were co-directors in the childcare industry. They discuss the importance of the co-director relationship and how it bonds people. Codi and Annie share their educational backgrounds and the different roles they have held in the childcare industry. They also talk about their experiences working together and the challenges they faced. The conversation highlights the significance of communication and teamwork in managing a childcare center. Key Takeaways The co-director relationship in the childcare industry is crucial and provides a unique understanding of the day-to-day challenges. Effective communication is key in managing a childcare center and building strong relationships with teachers and parents. Being open, transparent, and supportive of each other is essential for success as co-directors. Teamwork and collaboration are vital in managing a childcare center and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children. Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

Summary Today Haley shares her journey into marketing in the child care industry and provides tips on branding and search engine optimization (SEO). She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and recommends online resources for gaining marketing knowledge. Haley explains the basics of SEO, including keyword research and optimization techniques for websites. She also highlights the significance of local SEO for small businesses. Haley discusses key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring marketing success, such as website traffic and enrollment rates. She praises the impact of CareDay in empowering her marketing efforts through data-driven decision-making. Haley's advice for beginners in marketing is to start with small steps and establish an online presence, even if they don't have much time or resources. Continuous learning is essential in marketing, and there are many online resources available, such as Coursera and podcasts, to gain knowledge and skills. Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for improving website visibility, and it involves keyword research and optimization techniques. Local SEO is particularly important for small businesses, as it helps target local customers and improve search rankings. Key performance indicators (KPIs) like website traffic and enrollment rates can be used to measure marketing success. Care Day provides valuable data and insights for effective marketing strategies in the child care industry. Starting with small marketing efforts, such as creating a Google business page and maintaining an active social media presence, can make a significant impact. Establishing an online presence, even with limited time and resources, is better than not starting at all. Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

Summary: In this episode of CareCast, we welcome our Podcast producer, Haley Beroske. Haley reflects on her career journey which took her from a degree in child development to becoming the chief of marketing for a childcare franchise. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced, including imposter syndrome and learning from BIG mistakes, like the significant impact of website changes on SEO. We'll cover some listener Q+A's on effective marketing strategies for daycare centers, discussing the importance of targeted events and community engagement. Haley offers practical advice for smaller daycare businesses, stressing the value of establishing a local presence both online and offline. Key Takeaways: DIY marketing is possible with patience and willingness to learn Canva is a valuable tool for daycares to create brand consistency Learning from Mistakes: Haley candidly shares her experiences of facing challenges and making mistakes, such as the impact of website changes on SEO. She highlights the importance of learning from these experiences and embracing feedback, even when it's difficult to hear. This willingness to learn and adapt is crucial for personal and professional growth. Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

Summary:Daycare CEO shares how frustrating enrollment Excel spreadsheets were the bane of her existence, riddled with errors and causing sleepless nights. She shares how CareDay revolutionized her enrollment experience and gave her the tools to build her business-taking the behind-the-scenes chaos and turning it into streamlined, data-driven management. With CareDay, Becca can confidently predict revenue, make smart business decisions, and was able to scale her company from 1 to 17 daycares and counting. Becca reminisces on how CareDay was a lifesaver during COVID, allowing them to pivot quickly and stay on top of critical data. If you're ready to ditch the spreadsheets and get serious about simplifying your childcare business, you've got to check out CareDay! Key Takeaways CareDay solutions simplifies childcare management. Excel spreadsheets are error-prone and time-consuming. Investing in childcare-specific software provides greater efficiency and accuracy. Accurate enrollment figures ensure stability. Knowing your numbers (full-time capacity, waitlist conversion rates, etc.) allows you to confidently predict revenue, hire staff, and maintain a smooth operation. Data informs decision-making. CareDay's platform provides easy-to-understand dashboards and reports that track key metrics, removing the guesswork from your business. Even in times of crisis, data empowers you. The ability to assess the impact of unexpected events (like COVID-19) and forecast recovery is crucial. Scaling your business is exciting and achievable. Expanding a childcare company is often a shared goal, and dedicated tools make that growth smoother. Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

SummaryIn today's episode, we are sitting down with Becca Pahl, Co-Founder and CEO of Balanced Family Academy. Becca is powerhouse in the childcare industry and has established 17 wildly successful daycare centers in less than a decade. She knows the daycare business inside and out, and she's been instrumental in creating the game changing features within CareDay Solutions. Today, Becca's going to dive into the nitty-gritty of the business side of childcare. We'll talk about why accurate revenue projections are so critical, how data can keep you from just relying on your gut, and how CareDay has played a vital role in her business growth. Key Takeaways Projecting revenue is essential for financial stability. The ability to accurately predict income is crucial for making sound budgeting decisions and avoiding pitfalls that can jeopardize your center's success. Understanding your "walking around numbers" demonstrates business savvy. Know your key figures inside and out: full-time child (FTC) capacity, current enrollment, margins, and projected revenue. These figures offer a snapshot of your center's health. Data-driven decision-making eliminates uncertainty. Looking at waitlist conversion rates, tour success, and other clear metrics allows you to make informed choices rather than relying on gut feelings. Pay attention to even small opportunities for growth. Allowing part-time families to easily add days helps fill open spaces that would otherwise go unused, and this can directly offset childcare management software costs. Prioritize business planning for long-term success. Carve out dedicated time to analyze your center's financial picture. Focus on revenue, expenses, and the crucial connection between income and staffing levels. Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

Summary In this episode, Taylor Lane, Chief of Teaching and Learning at Balanced Family Academy, returns to share her expertise on early childhood curriculum development. We dive into aligning curriculum with learning standards, streamlining implementation across a company, and fostering teacher creativity. Taylor also reveals how CareDay's unique curriculum technology enhance the planning process. Finally, she offers invaluable advice for teachers aspiring to become curriculum creators. Takeaways Collaboration with teachers is essential in curriculum development. Encouraging teacher creativity and allowing them to adapt the curriculum to fit their classroom needs is important. Using visuals through CareDay's childcare management software, such as photos and book covers, in curriculum planning helps parents and teachers understand the purpose of activities. Trying new approaches and being open to pivoting when necessary is key in curriculum content creation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:24 Teaching in the Preschool Room04:29 Encouraging Teacher Creativity06:31 Collaborating with Teachers08:02 The Importance of Visuals in Curriculum09:20 Challenges in Curriculum Development11:49 Curriculum with CareDay18:03 Game: This or That25:48 Advice for Curriculum Content Creation29:28 Closing Remarks Connect with us:Instagram: @caredaysolutionsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutionsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/

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. They discuss the importance of teamwork, learning from each other, and the unique challenges faced when working different shifts in a childcare setting. Connect with us: Instagram: @caredaysolutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caredaysolutions Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/careday/ CareDay: Advanced Childcare Management Software bringing next level tools for childcare business owners. We're bringing technology to the daycare world that you've never seen anywhere else. Streamline your daycare business, boost your enrollment, and grow your bottom line. https://www.caredaysolutions.com/