The Preschool Podcast
Ron Spreeuwenberg
The Preschool Podcast, brought to you by HiMama, is a platform for learning from leading professionals in early childhood education. If you work in a daycare, childcare or preschool setting, The Preschool Podcast will provide you with both practical advice for managing your organization, center or classroom, as well as thought provoking content and insights about the field of early childhood education.
Each week, we chat with leaders in early childhood education, from teachers and educators in the classroom with innovative curriculum approaches, to directors who are excelling at empowering their team, and leaders outside of the child care environment that are passionate about making a positive impact on outcomes for young children.
Our goal with The Preschool Podcast is to provide knowledge and inspiration to the future leaders of early childhood education by speaking with experienced and insightful leaders in the world of preschool and early learning today. At HiMama, it is our belief that leadership within early childhood education is crucial to the future of the childcare sector and, of course, the future of our most important asset in this world, our youngest children.
Each week, we chat with leaders in early childhood education, from teachers and educators in the classroom with innovative curriculum approaches, to directors who are excelling at empowering their team, and leaders outside of the child care environment that are passionate about making a positive impact on outcomes for young children.
Our goal with The Preschool Podcast is to provide knowledge and inspiration to the future leaders of early childhood education by speaking with experienced and insightful leaders in the world of preschool and early learning today. At HiMama, it is our belief that leadership within early childhood education is crucial to the future of the childcare sector and, of course, the future of our most important asset in this world, our youngest children.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 9, 2020 • 28min
How COVID-19 Has Changed The Childcare Conversation
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments all over the world to rethink how to reopen the labor force and economy and how childcare services fits into the picture. In this episode, we interview Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now in Canada. We talk about how conversations around childcare have changed because of the crisis and how the field will be impacted as different governments plan on reopening non-essential businesses. Resources: Time For Childcare Website Childcare For All Website Follow Child Care Now on Facebook & Twitter
Jun 2, 2020 • 25min
How To Adapt Your Child Care Program To COVID-19 Changes
In this episode, we interview child care veteran Dennis Vicars about what it would take for child care programs to survive through the changes that come with the pandemic. Tune in to learn more about how you can be proactive and get creative when taking on the challenges that will arise as we learn how to live with COVID-19. Resources: Connect with Dennis at dennis_vicars@yahoo.com
May 26, 2020 • 26min
Preparing Young Children & Families For Reopening During COVID-19
In this episode, we interview Meghan Fitzgerald, Chief Education Officer of Tinkergarten, a program that supports parents and educators with play-based learning at home. We talk about how to set children up for success when returning to a post-quarantine life where social distancing is the norm, reframing the idea of developmental regression, as well as how to cope with the stressors of parenting and educating young children during this time. Resources: Tinkergarten Website How To Prepare Your Kids And Yourself For Reopening Help Your Kids Make Friends With Masks
May 19, 2020 • 28min
The Importance of Child Care To The COVID-19 Economy
The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on child care. In this episode, we interview Lucy Recio, Senior Public Policy Analyst at NAEYC, about the state of childcare as a result of the pandemic, the relationship between childcare and the economy, and the importance of providers sharing their stories to advocate for support from legislators. Resources: NAEYC Website Follow NAEYC on Twitter and Facebook America For Early Ed Campaign
May 12, 2020 • 23min
How The National Head Start Association Is Finding Opportunity In Crisis
In this episode, we interview Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association, about how Head Start programs are responding to the COVID-19 crisis. We chat about the dedication of educators serving their communities and the hidden opportunity behind the crisis. Tune in to hear how the NHSA is supporting educators in their programs. Connect with Yasmina on Twitter and LinkedIn.
May 5, 2020 • 27min
Child Care Marketing Tips To Recover From COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has really challenged the child care community. In this episode, we talk with Julie Wassom, child care marketing expert, about the opportunities that lie beneath the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. We cover areas where business owners can focus on rebranding and remarketing their services to families in order to hit the ground running when programs are ready to reopen again. Resources: About Julie Wassom Julie’s Child Care Blog The Enrollment Excelerator
Apr 28, 2020 • 25min
COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care Centers
Join us as we talk about how to build an actionable emergency preparedness plan with Andrew Roszak, Executive Director of the Institute for Childhood Preparedness. He shares his experience on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic across the states and best practices on how to build out a plan that works in times of crisis. We also talk about steps to take if your center is also open as an essential service to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Resources: Corona Virus Resource for Child Care Centers Childhood Preparedness Website Childhood Preparedness Books Childhood Preparedness Facebook Page
Apr 21, 2020 • 24min
Navigating COVID-19 As A Multi-Location Child Care Center
In this episode, Kindercare's Dr. Elanna Yalow shares how the childcare giant is navigating this unprecedented situation. We cover everything from safety procedures for centers that are still open at this time, to maintaining a connection with families, as well as what the “new normal” might look like for the industry after lockdown is lifted. Kindercare’s social media: Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn
Apr 14, 2020 • 32min
Keeping Your Child Care Community Connected While Closed During COVID-19
Community is so important, now, more than ever as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we chat with Michele Smith, Director of the West Valley Christian Academy Preschool about how her team has adapted to connecting remotely with their families during the crisis. She shares the different things her center is doing to keep connected with families, as well as her team's process of adapting to the changing situation. Resources: WVCA Preschool Website WVCA Preschool social media: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
Apr 7, 2020 • 28min
How To Make Learning Super Fun To Engage Young Kids
Keeping up with the energy of young children during the COVID-19 pandemic can challenging for parents. In this episode, we interview Shawn Brown, creator of the Super Fun Show and owner of Role Model Productions about his fun-loving attitude towards working with young children and how he translates that in his performances and professional development. He shares his philosophy on working with high-energy children and some advice on how to work with them. Resources: The Super Fun Show Role Model Professional Development
