In this episode, host Kris Murray welcomes Brenda and Geordie McClay, the dynamic husband-wife team behind Bright Ideas Child Care and Learning Center. Brenda and Geordie share their remarkable journey, from Brenda's initial desire to be an elementary school teacher to opening their first childcare center in 2009 and expanding to a second location in 2020. The McClays discuss the challenges they’ve faced, particularly with hiring quality staff during the pandemic, and the strategies they’ve employed to overcome these hurdles. This includes partnering with local high schools to develop an apprenticeship program, leveraging social media to showcase their positive culture, and implementing a robust referral bonus system. Geordie also shares his insights on the value of the Academy’s men's group, which has provided him with a supportive network of like-minded individuals as he transitions into a more active role in the business. Additionally, Brenda and Geordie emphasize the importance of building a strong, family-oriented culture and the power of community partnerships in enhancing their program.

Key Takeaways:

[8:40] Brenda and Geordie’s path from home daycare to multi-center childcare program.

[10:00] Geordie shares his background in the Coast Guard and his transition to supporting Brenda in the childcare business.

[12:36] Family fact: the McClays have six children!

[16:41] Brenda discusses the difficulties in hiring quality staff and the impact of COVID-19 on the hiring process, along with different recruitment strategies.

[19:00] Brenda mentions their partnership with local high schools to recruit Co-op students and provide apprentice programs.

[20:51] Their intentional use of social media to showcase the fun and positive aspects of their program.

[24:58] Their referral reward program.

[26:39] Showcasing the family aspect of it.

[28:30] The Academy’s men’s group and the support it provides for men in the childcare industry.

[31:26] Gaining confidence and focus from joining the Academy.

[37:30] Working together as a husband and wife duo.

[40:13] The partnership with the local public preschool and the benefits it brings to their teachers and students.

[43:13] Support can show up in a variety of ways.

[45:53] What does it mean to be an “energy bus school”?

Quotes:

• “I thought that having a center was the big dream, and I had achieved it. So, I guess when I joined the Academy, I realized that I could dream bigger than that.” — Brenda [8:52]

• “We have worked hard to pour into our staff and show them that we care about them and their contribution. Without them, we couldn’t do it.” — Brenda [17:17]

• “I found that the more we showcase the fun things that we’re doing, the more successful we are in finding a good match for us.” — Brenda [17:50]

• “I think it’s important for us to get our high school students and young adults excited about the field, yes, because it’s an amazing field.” — Brenda [20:23]

• “I think as a community, we need to be together, whether we’re in the same town or the same state, we should all be here for the children.” — Brenda [31:08]

• “The only way to scale the business and be able to impact more people and more children is to figure out where you’re the bottleneck and start replacing yourself in the areas that are not your unique brilliance.” — Kris [35:40]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

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

Bright Ideas Childcare

The Energy Bus

This week, Kris welcomes Constance Sholar Cherry, the powerhouse owner of Creative Home Academy, to share her remarkable journey from home daycare to running multiple thriving centers. Constance discusses her growth through challenges, especially navigating the launch of her center during the pandemic, and emphasizes the “don’t just survive, thrive” mindset. Constance also highlights the value of creating a positive culture, personal development for staff, and the rewards of seeing children go from surviving to thriving.

Key Takeaways:

[9:15] Constance joins the show and shares the capacity and recent expansion of Creative Home Academy.

[10:48] Launching her commercial center during the challenges of April 2020.

[12:09] Why Constance stays passionate about early childhood education.

[14:14] Fun fact: Constance used to show and breed big, beautiful Cane Corso dogs!

[16:41] What sets Creative Home Academy apart, including its screen-free environment and commitment to high-quality nutrition.

[18:53] Constance discusses the importance of showing up as a leader and gaining her team’s trust.

[20:53] Onboarding new team members with a thriving mindset and fun team culture.

[24:02] Teacher appreciation week is a whole vibe… massages with training as well? Yes, please!

[26:56] Constance’s mindset during the pandemic and how she overcame obstacles.

[32:52] The value of failing your way to success.

[35:26] Constance shares how her grandmother and mother inspired her journey.

[36:18] The story of how Constance joined the Academy and how it changed her life for the better.

[39:26] Exciting plans for 2025, including new pre-K programs.

Quotes:

• “I love to see children go from surviving to thriving.” — Constance [12:09]

• “If I want people to perform in their best version, I have to show up first in my best version.” — Constance [19:10]

• “I had to come as the expert, meaning, I know what kids need. I know what my staff needs.” — Constance [19:50]

• “ECE is not just something that I just do. It’s who I am, and trust me, because I’m going to lead us in the right direction.” — Constance [20:07]

• “I want team members to understand we want to work in a thriving school. … Come on this side. It’s good over here!” — Constance [21:02]

• “Some of my darkest moments, the one thing that kept me going was knowing that I deserve to have everything that I want in life, and just being grateful for what I did have.” — Constance [32:18]

• “You literally have to fail your way to success. ... You have to move through the hard times because it’s always greater on the other side.” — Constance [32:52]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

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

Creative Home Academy

Constance LinkedIn

It’s all about the story this week as Kris welcomes Jon Sieber, Co-Founder of Story Time Learning, and Story Time Chess, an innovative early learning and education-based product for kids and adults of all ages. Jon shares how he went from theater to chess to Story Time, the power of storytelling to help children learn complicated concepts such as chess or coding, and the importance of storytelling in creating meaningful connections and learning experiences. He and Kris also talk about the importance of consistency in personal and professional goals, and the future exciting plans for Story Time Learning.

Key Takeaways:

[4:10] Congrats to Sister Mercedes for being named the new Rock Star!

[8:33] Jon joins the show from Brooklyn, New York.

[9:30] How a chess tutoring company evolved into Story Time Learning.

[13:26] Jon is a direct descendant of which royal figure from history?

[20:01] How can you use the power of storytelling?

[25:42] Jon highlights the success of their program in Singapore and the interest from parents and educators.

[28:16] Shaping 450‒500 preschools.

[30:27] Kris shares a great story on how she and Jon met.

[35:24] The key lessons Jon has learned as an entrepreneur.

[37:02] The importance of positivity, consistency, and showing up every day.

[41:47] What’s next for Story Time?

Quotes:

• “Children are capable of learning big, complex things like chess or coding if you throw out the rule book and you tell them fun, engaging, silly stories and let them discover the rules, rather than use rote memorization or rules that they have to stick to.” — Jon [10:26]

• “The same way that I train my teachers or tutors in New York City, we can train teachers, educators, librarians, anywhere in the world, to deliver our fun, engaging curriculum.” — Jon [12:10]

• “The power of story is one of the most powerful things you can do as a business owner, as a marketer, as anybody who’s trying to make a difference.” — Jon [19:27]

• “Storytelling is what we think is the best vehicle to deliver something.” — Jon [20:48]

• “We feel very strongly about the powerful tool and the vehicle that is storytelling.” — Jon [21:32]

• “You have to be positive and optimistic and believe in what you do. And if you approach things with eternal optimism and the ability to show up day after day, you will expose yourself to enough surface area that you will start getting ‘lucky.’” — Jon [37:21]

• “Consistency over time equals success.” — Jon [37:53]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

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

StoryTime Learning

Jon Sieber LinkedIn