Child Care Rockstar Radio

Real leadership takes time, clarity, and the willingness to slow down and lead with intention. In this episode, Jennifer reflects on a recent VIP Day at the Child Care Success Company's new corporate office in New Orleans, and the perspective owners can gain when they step out of the daily rush long enough to think differently about how they lead. That sets up her conversation with Toni Bedford, owner of Bedford Learning Programs, a network of six family child care homes, about what it takes to stop being the person everything keeps coming back to. Toni shares how a strong team and multiple locations still left her carrying too much, especially during a major family season when she and her husband became foster parents to their three young grandchildren. Together, she and Jennifer unpack the difference between delegating tasks and truly developing leaders, and what it looks like to create more clarity, intention, and ownership across the organization. Key Takeaways: [1:20] Jennifer opens by sharing how a recent VIP Day reminded her why she loves helping child care owners slow down, think differently, and step into stronger leadership. [2:35] Jennifer introduces Toni Bedford and explains the core challenge behind their VIP Day work: building a stronger leadership structure so the business can grow without everything flowing back through the owner. [5:53] Toni shares the story behind Bedford Learning Programs, her six in-home child care locations, and the struggle of still being pulled into daily decisions even with a solid admin team in place. [9:39] Toni opens up about a major family transition, becoming a foster parent to her three young grandchildren, and how that season forced her to face what had to change inside the business. [12:44] Jennifer asks where Toni was feeling the most pressure, and Toni names the tension many owners know well: trying to support the team while quietly carrying parts of everyone's job. [15:29] Toni explains why she said yes to the VIP Day and how she came in determined not to let the insights become just another set of notes that never got implemented. [18:37] Toni describes her biggest realization from the day: no one could simply tell her what to do. She had to think clearly about what her business actually needed and build from there. [21:40] Back at home, Toni uses her already scheduled admin retreat as a reset meeting, rolling out a new org chart, updated roles, and a more intentional leadership structure. [22:50] Toni shares one of the most important shifts: weekly one-on-one training with each admin team member, focused not just on tasks, but on confidence, expectations, and leadership development. [26:21] Toni and Jennifer talk about the truth many owners miss: there is no shortcut to building leaders. Real delegation takes time, mentoring, modeling, and consistency. [30:25] Toni reflects on her team's response to the reset and how trust, support, and a phased rollout helped the changes feel energizing instead of overwhelming. [32:12] Five weeks in, Toni shares what she is most proud of: the team has not slipped backward, the momentum is still there, and she is learning how to respond as a stronger leader, too. [34:37] Toni talks about what has changed for her personally: she feels more confident, more energized, and more connected to the coaching and mentoring side of leadership that she genuinely loves. [37:20] Asked what she would tell the version of herself before the VIP Day, Toni offered a powerful takeaway for other owners: it is okay to let things go and trust your team. [40:08] Toni closes by reminding listeners that this work is hard, and that the best place to start is by getting honest about what you love and where you want your leadership to go next. Quotes: "It is seldom about working harder. It's all about thinking differently." — Jennifer [2:50] "If you want to have this great team, you actually have to train them. You can't actually be like, 'Hey, here's your position. Now think of some things.'" — Toni [23:55] "When you look at redesigning organizational structures or reworking job descriptions, you don't take away something that is great with one of your team members when they love doing something, and they're bringing results, and they're fantastic at it… you don't take that away." — Jennifer [29:12] "It's okay to let things go and trust your team." — Toni [37:20] "This job is hard. It could be hard, and really kind of just figuring out what you love, I think, and what you want to do in the future is just where you should really start, rather than always worrying about the day-to-day stuff." — Toni [40:08] Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray Jennifer Conner The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Bedford Learning Programs

In this episode, Jennifer shares a personal moment that slowed her down and clarified what matters most: impact, leadership, and protecting what's been entrusted to you. That framing sets the tone for a grounded conversation with Sharita "Rita" Brown, a long-time early childhood leader and Child Care Success Company coach, about one of the fears many owners carry quietly — the allegation that can shake everything. Rita walks Jennifer through a season where her centers faced a false report, and they couldn't immediately produce the proof they needed. Instead of spiraling, they tightened their standards: documentation, overstaffing to protect ratios, and leadership that showed up in the building, not just on paper. This conversation is a real look at how "inspect what you expect" plays out when it's no longer a slogan, and why the simplest protection is often the most overlooked: documenting, consistently, as a team. Key Takeaways: [:08] Jennifer reflects on a recent car wreck and how being "shaken" clarifies what matters, and why "protect what you've built" is more than a mindset. [6:07] Rita recounts the moment a false report landed, and they couldn't quickly find documentation to prove ratio coverage. [8:45] The emotion behind it: feeling helpless — and realizing systems exist to protect children, staff, and families. [10:24] What changed immediately: pushing systems, tightening documentation, and temporarily overstaffing to protect against ratio risk. [14:28] "Inspect what you expect" as the non-negotiable leadership shift, especially across multiple sites. [16:45] The practical reset: going into each center, one-on-ones, rebuilding buy-in, and modeling standards in real time. [19:26] A more recent allegation (2025) and what it looked like to be ready this time: systems, documentation, leadership alignment, and no case. [21:36] Rita's "one thing" every owner can do today: document, and make sure your team is documenting. [28:41] Stepping into the CEO seat means boundaries: staying reachable without being on the floor every day and building leaders who can carry the work. Quotes: "What matters to me is not about playing a game. It's not about chasing something, wanting bigger and better. It's more about living a life that matters to me. It's about making an impact. It's about leading well and protecting what's been entrusted to me." — Jennifer [2:43] "So we really pushed our systems and made sure that our documentation was in place from that moment, because we didn't have any proof to show them otherwise." — Rita [11:43] "Inspect what you expect." — Jennifer / Rita [14:04] "I think sometimes, as owners, we don't realize that there's no shortcut to time, there's no shortcut to personal interaction, there's no shortcut to modeling the behaviors you want to see." — Jennifer [18:03] "Make sure your team is documenting." — Rita [21:08] Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray Jennifer Conner The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Sharita Brown

A new season of Child Care Rockstar Radio begins with Jennifer Conner, CEO of the Child Care Success company, stepping in as host! Jennifer shares the real behind-the-scenes of her own journey: buying a struggling center, realizing "love and passion" alone won't sustain a business long-term, and learning how systems, finances, and leadership create the stability that protects your mission. Then Jennifer welcomes Michael Ingram, a legacy child care leader and school owner with multi-generational roots, to talk about the kind of leadership growth that doesn't show up on an org chart. Michael reflects on moving from defensiveness to connection, mentorship and choosing community over isolation, and learning how to create space. Michael also shares how mentorship changed his leadership, and why being the one everyone calls for answers can be a signal that it's time to find your own room of mentors. Key Takeaways: [1:10] Jennifer shares her journey from childcare owner to building a strong leadership team and moving to Mexico. [1:25] She highlights how systems, finances, and leadership are critical to a sustainable childcare business. [2:28] Jennifer talks about shifting from running schools remotely to becoming a coach and CEO rooted in love for children and families. [9:32] Michael reflects on taking feedback too personally early on and learning to get comfortable with discomfort. [16:20] Michael explains how stepping aside from his own ego and seeking mentorship transformed his leadership. [20:22] He describes his school's model, which includes on-site OT, speech, and ABA therapy for children with higher needs. [22:31] The challenges that Michael faces in his school, and how he works to overcome them. [26:02] Michael's passion for advocacy and advice for someone who wants to get involved but doesn't exactly know how. [29:11] Finding the right group that advocates for your cause. [31:17] QTIP - Quit Taking It Personal, and how Michael learned to not take things so personally. [35:23] Learning how to give and take space as a leader, and embracing the mantra "just for today". Quotes: "The version of you that started your center isn't necessarily the version of you that sustains it or carries it forward." [4:44] - Jennifer "I had to get out of the way of knowing all the answers and allow the people who I am here to serve and work with to help me figure out those answers." [10:05] – Michael "Where there's uncomfortability, that's where growth is. You know, that's the innovation of growth. And so, I had to be comfortable with being uncomfortable." [11:04] - Michael "You just have to embrace the uncomfortability, and then you can step into greatness." [11:20] - Michael "We are doing great things, and we are ready to accept families and support families where they're at. And I think when you have a voice, and you use that voice, other people often will hear it, and it will energize them to rally around a cause that you're passionate about." [29:43] - Michael "When you operate out of space, that's when things fall into line." [35:09] - Michael Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray Jennifer Conner The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Michael Ingram Bedford Heights Daycare Center

In this heartfelt sendoff episode, Kris sits down with her very first hire, Camille St. Martin, for a deeply meaningful conversation about the postpartum experience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of truly seeing and supporting new moms. Camille, now a mother of two and the founder of Ritual Movement Mama, shares how her own experience of isolation and identity loss after childbirth sparked a mission to help mothers reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their inner wisdom, one slow movement at a time. Together, Kris and Camille explore what it means to return to yourself after birth, how child care leaders can support the full family system, and why "happier mamas" really do lead to "happier babies." This episode also marks a full-circle moment and a big transition — Kris's final episode as host of Child Care Rockstar Radio before passing the mic to new host and CEO of the Child Care Success Company, Jennifer Conner. Key Takeaways: [9:35] Camille talks about her experience of feeling isolated and disconnected after her children were born, and her desire to create a community of support for new moms. [10:14] Ritual Movement Mama is aimed at helping new moms feel at home in their bodies and regulate their nervous systems. [15:14] Camille shares her personal journey of quitting drinking and the coping skills she developed, which inspired her to help other new moms. [17:43] Camille speaks candidly about postpartum depression screenings, the cultural default to medication, and the urgent need for alternative, holistic support. [23:04] Instead of a rigid routine, Camille now teaches a "wheel of anchors," small, accessible practices like breathwork, movement, and prayer that help moms feel grounded again. [25:27] Camille's personal life and projects. [27:05] Fun fact! Camille INDEED was a professional hula hoop performer! [31:26] Her new virtual program offers guided journaling, somatic movement, and imagery-based integration for women navigating identity shifts in early motherhood. [34:58] Camille reminds child care leaders that they may be one of the first outside interactions for postpartum moms, and that those early moments imprint deeply. [35:50] Kris reflects on her own child care experiences as a new mom, emphasizing the power of environments that support both the baby and the mother. Quotes: "Moms right now are so isolated, and there is not a lot of support, and there isn't a lot of support around healing as far as stepping into motherhood and transitioning into motherhood and learning how to cope and how to regulate our nervous systems and how to move into motherhood gracefully." — Camille [10:04] "Lots of times we have the biggest shift of our lives and everything rearranges on the inside, our whole nervous system has been rearranged, and everyone just expects us to bounce back and go back to normal, and there's just not even a witnessing or a holding or a ceremony." — Camille [11:29] "I would say it's kind of a real honoring and reverence for the transition into motherhood through movement and other integration processes." — Camille [31:18] "Regulated mothers equal regulated children and happier families." — Camille [33:18] Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Ritual Movement Mama | IG Miracle Morning