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Could regulatory reform actually help childcare programs improve quality? Kate Woodward Young talks with Dr. Mary Harper about why reducing duplicative paperwork and outdated compliance processes could free up time and resources for what matters most: children, staffing, safety, and quality care.

They explore childcare regulation, licensing, regulatory reform, workforce development, technology, compliance, and early childhood education, including how real-time data systems and better business practices could replace inefficient paper-based processes. Mary also shares lessons from military child care and why quality funding should support long-term systems change. If you’re a childcare owner, director, policymaker, or early childhood advocate, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what meaningful regulatory reform could look like.

Mary's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-harper-6b7a6010b/
TXAEYC LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-association-for-the-education-of-young-children/
TXAEYC webpage: https://texasaeyc.org/

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https://na.eventscloud.com/website/96369/
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Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

Thanks for Listening 🎧

• Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖
• Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!
• Join our Podcast Newsletter!
• Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.
• Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

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What does it take to grow a childcare business without losing the values and families at its heart? Kate Woodward Young talks with Kristen Denzer, CEO of Tierra Encantada, about building a bilingual, values-driven childcare brand from a personal need and creating a path toward nationwide growth.

They explore childcare business growth, bilingual education, franchising, leadership, multi-state expansion, brand standards, and community partnerships, including why strong systems and training need to come before franchising. Kristen also shares lessons on mentorship, networking, market differences, and developing the skills needed to take a childcare business to its next stage.

If you’re a childcare owner, entrepreneur, or aspiring franchise operator, this conversation offers practical insights for growing with purpose.

Learn more at: https://www.tierraencantada.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendenzer/

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

Thanks for Listening 🎧

• Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖
• Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!
• Join our Podcast Newsletter!
• Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.
• Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!

Send us Fan Mail

Is accreditation just another checklist—or can it actually help your early childhood program grow? Selena McNeely joins Kate Woodward Young to unpack what accreditation really means, why programs pursue it, and how to choose an accreditation path that fits your philosophy and goals.

They explore childcare accreditation, quality improvement, self-study, staff training, family communication, staff retention, and program systems, including what the self-study process can reveal about your strengths and opportunities for growth. Whether you lead a traditional, Montessori, or other nontraditional program, this conversation offers practical insight into using accreditation as a tool for building a stronger, more intentional early childhood program.

Check out this episode's sponsor: https://northstarschoolsupply.com/

Thanks for Listening 🎧

• Want to learn more? Check out our book; "From Overwhelmed to I Got This: Guaranteed Success Route to Directing Your Childcare Center" 📖
• Join our Facebook Group for Childcare professionals!
• Join our Podcast Newsletter!
• Want to be a guest on our podcast? Go to our website to learn more.
• Are you looking for director training in Texas? Check out our Texas Director Website for our training and additional resources!