In this heart-centered episode of Everything Early Childhood, Leeza sits down with Vicki Scheafer, founder of Little Wise One, to explore how mindfulness and movement can transform early childhood spaces. Vicki shares her journey from teaching Kinder Dance in her local community to creating affirmation cards, guided journals, and her latest book, A Mindful Child, supporting educators and families to help children feel seen, heard, worthy, and loved. Together, we explore: ✨ Why mindfulness and mo...
Jul 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 109
In this heartfelt solo episode, Leeza answers a powerful question submitted by one of our listeners: "How do you deal with the emotional rollercoaster of leadership in early childhood?" Let’s face it—leading in early childhood education isn’t just about policies, procedures, or planning cycles. It’s about people. And that means navigating daily emotional highs and lows that no leadership course can truly prepare you for. In this episode, Leeza shares 5 practical, real-life strategies she uses to...
Jun 26, 2025•22 min•Ep. 108
In this episode, Leeza breaks down what every child care owner needs to know before June 30 — from the Worker Retention Payment and upcoming wage increases, to how to financially prepare your service for the year ahead. You’ll get: Clarity on the WRP deadlines and what to action now A real talk on what this funding really means for your business An EOFY checklist to get your finances sorted Tips to lead with both your head and heart in tough financial times Plus, Leeza shares what’s (still) unkn...
Jun 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 107
In this episode of Everything Early Childhood, Leeza Browne is joined by educator and author Stefanie Hohl, creator of ABC See, Hear, Do. A phonics program that integrates movement and play to help children learn to read. Designed for early learning professionals and parents, this episode explores how multi-sensory, movement-based approaches can better support young learners especially those who don’t thrive with traditional, sit-down methods. Together, Leeza and Stefanie unpack: What multi-sens...
Jun 13, 2025•38 min•Ep. 106
Five years ago, I stood in a hotel room, teary-eyed, heart racing, with a phone in my hand and finally shared the story I’d never said out loud. The truth behind why I do what I do. That moment, recorded in raw emotion after a breakthrough at a business event, changed everything. It was the first time I let myself be seen and truly shared my why. Until now, that video stayed hidden. But today, I’m sharing it with you. Because I know what it feels like to question your voice, to feel like you nee...
Jun 04, 2025•19 min•Ep. 105
Is It Time to Sell? How to Know, Prepare, and Let Go with Grace Synopsis: In this heartfelt solo episode, Leeza Browne, founder of Platinum Education Group and trusted advisor to child care owners across Australia, opens up about one of the most difficult and emotional decisions in business: knowing when it’s time to sell your child care service. If you’ve found yourself whispering “Maybe I should just sell…”, this episode is for you. Leeza shares the signs it might be time to step away, the psy...
May 28, 2025•22 min•Ep. 104
🌿 NEW EPISODE – For the Ones Who Are Holding It All Together (Even When It Feels Like It’s Falling Apart) If you’ve ever sat in your car before a shift, taken a deep breath, and thought, *“I don’t know if I can do this today”… this one’s for you. 💔 This week on the Everything Early Childhood Podcast, we’re saying the things no one wants to admit out loud — the thoughts, doubts, and silent struggles that so many directors and child care owners carry in their hearts. 🎙 Episode: “The Things We’r...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 103
Feeling constantly exhausted, emotionally drained, or like rest just isn’t doing the job anymore? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to be this way. In this powerful episode of Everything Early Childhood, Leeza is joined by Phil Wolffe, Workplace Wellbeing Specialist and Founder of Kinex Health, to unpack what’s really going on in our early childhood workplaces when it comes to stress, burnout, and recovery. Together, they explore: The current state of wellbeing in early learning services The ...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 102
In this honest and unscripted mini episode, recorded mid-safari during a much-needed break, Leeza opens up about the internal struggle many leaders face: the guilt of resting. She shares personal stories from her leadership journey, the burnout she faced when she gave too much of herself, and the powerful mindset shifts that have helped her redefine consistency, success, and boundaries. If you’re a passionate business owner, director, or educator who’s been pushing through, this episode is your ...
Apr 23, 2025•9 min•Ep. 101
Why Bother Aiming for Exceeding? In this powerful follow-up episode, Leeza Browne opens up the conversation around striving for Exceeding in early childhood services—and why giving up on high standards comes at a cost we can’t afford. You’ll hear real feedback from the community, honest reflections about where educators and leaders are really at, and practical strategies for getting your team on board the journey toward quality. This episode dives into: Why Exceeding isn’t about perfection—it’s ...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min•Ep. 100
In this powerful episode, host Leeza Browne from Platinum Ed is joined by the incredible Kerra-Lee Wescombe, Director of Connect.Ed, to explore the critical role of trauma-informed practice in early childhood education. With over 10 years of experience across therapeutic care, consulting, and professional development, Kerra-Lee shares why connection—not control—is key to supporting children’s development and wellbeing. We unpack the staggering statistic that 2 in 3 children experience trauma bef...
Apr 09, 2025•47 min•Ep. 99
The Four Corners episode Betrayal of Trust – Child Care in Crisis has once again put early childhood education under the microscope. While it revealed serious failures that demand accountability, it also painted an incomplete and fear-driven picture of our sector. In this powerful and solution-focused episode, I address: ✅ What the Four Corners episode got right—and what was missing. ✅ The public release of compliance reports (Standing Order 52) and why it’s concerning. ✅ How services can respon...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 98
In this episode we explore the powerful analogy of "emptying the sandpit" and how it applies to setting up strong systems and structures in your service. Just like refreshing the sandpit create a clean foundation for play, resetting expectations, re-inducting staff and reinforcing key knowledge helps teams start fresh and aligned. we'll cover: - why assuming everyone knows nothing (even seasoned educators) sets the team up for success - the importance of re-inductions and refreshing the team kno...
Mar 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 97
🎙 Everything Early Childhood Podcast – Featuring Ray Everest 🚀 Deep Dive into Early Childhood Business, Success & Advocacy In this powerful episode, I sit down with Ray Everest, co-founder of Future Focus in New Zealand, for an eye-opening conversation on the future of early childhood education. Ray brings a unique perspective with his background as a high school teacher, principal, and early learning centre owner. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges and transformations in children o...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 96
Jake’s departure marks a turning point, and this episode captures the highs, lows, and everything in between in his Journey at Platinum Education. Tune in for an unfiltered discussion about the spirit of authenticity, the lessons learned, and how child care leaders can embrace change with grace and growth.
Dec 08, 2024•56 min•Ep. 95
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the core of educational leadership in early childhood education. We unpack the essential role of the educational leader within early childhood services, exploring how to simplify educational practices and the learning cycle for greater impact. Facing challenges like overcomplicated systems and lack of support? Discover practical strategies to create simple, meaningful, and high-quality educational programs. Learn how to effectively communicate your edu...
Nov 20, 2024•40 min•Ep. 94
In this episode of Everything Early Childhood, we’re thrilled to welcome Amber Jayne, early childhood education expert, founder of The Loving Start Learning Centres, and creator of The Loving Start Way Community. Amber takes us through her incredible journey from a child care business owner to a global advocate for nurturing, empowering, and elevating early childhood services. She shares the highs, lows, and pivotal lessons she’s learned along the way, revealing the trials and tribulations that ...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 93
In this podcast episode, we chat with Hayes Greenfield, author of Creative Sound Play for Young Learners, about the powerful role sound can play in early childhood education. Hayes shares practical ways to use creative sound play during transitions, enhancing classroom communities, social-emotional learning, and executive function skills. We also explore inspiring stories of how sound breaks down barriers and unleashes creativity in children, highlighting the magic of sound and its benefits for ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 92
In this episode of "Inside our roles in Early Childhood," we take a closer look at the various roles within a child care setting and explore the unique responsibilities that each one entails. From the operations manager to the trainee, every position is essential in creating a nurturing, safe, and effective environment for young learners. Using the analogy of a living, breathing body, we break down how each role functions like a vital organ, working in harmony to ensure the overall health and su...
Aug 28, 2024•41 min•Ep. 91
In this episode of Everything Early Childhood, host Leeza Browne tackles "Mid-Year Burnout Blues: Refresh and Reenergise Your Leadership." Learn how child care owners and business leaders can identify the early signs of burnout and implement effective strategies to combat it. Discover practical tips for taking breaks, delegating tasks, prioritising self-care, and reconnecting with your purpose. This episode provides valuable insights to help you refresh your routine and reenergise your leadershi...
Jul 24, 2024•28 min•Ep. 90
In this episode of Everything Early Childhood, host Leeza Browne dives into "Breaking Free from People Pleasing: Leading with Confidence in Early Childhood Education." Discover how child care owners and business leaders can overcome people-pleasing tendencies to lead with authenticity and strength. Learn practical strategies to set boundaries, build self-confidence, and make decisions that align with your mission and values. This episode is packed with insights to help you enhance your leadershi...
Jul 17, 2024•38 min•Ep. 89
In this heartfelt episode of the Everything Early Childhood podcast, host Leeza Browne welcomes Jenny, a seasoned early childhood professional and dedicated advocate for children with disabilities. With over 20 years of personal and professional experience, Jenny shares her inspiring journey of raising two children with disabilities and navigating the complex diagnosis process. Listeners will gain valuable insights as Jenny discusses the critical early signs of disabilities and the importance of...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 88
Host: Leeza Browne, Founder of Platinum Education Group Episode Description: In this episode, Leeza Browne explores the controversial side of collaborative leadership, examining whether trying to please everyone is actually undermining your team’s productivity. Drawing from the saying, "a camel is a committee's horse," Leeza alongside Jake delves into the potential pitfalls of collaborative leadership models and why having a key decision-maker is essential for success.
Jun 12, 2024•53 min•Ep. 87
Join us in this inspiring episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of Bernadette D'Aprile, the visionary mind behind Kreation Kidz. From overcoming setbacks to building an empire, Bernadette shares her story of resilience, collaboration, and innovation in the child care industry. Discover how she turned challenges into opportunities, leveraging her strengths and the strengths of her team to create a thriving business. Whether you're considering starting a child care service or already ope...
Jun 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 86
In this episode of the Everything Early Childhood podcast, host Leeza Browne dives into the crucial topic of understanding serious incidents within early childhood education settings and the corresponding reporting obligations. Leeza explains what constitutes a serious incident, providing clear examples to help educators and administrators recognize these situations. She outlines the legal requirements for reporting serious incidents, emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate documentati...
May 22, 2024•16 min•Ep. 85
Episode Description: Title: Navigating Tough Talks: Tips for Early Childhood Leaders In this episode of Everything Early Childhood, host Leeza Browne dives into one of the most requested and crucial topics for early childhood leaders and educators: challenging conversations. Whether you're a director or a team member, navigating difficult discussions is an essential skill for maintaining a positive and effective work environment. Join us as we explore: Understanding Challenging Conversations: Wh...
May 15, 2024•57 min•Ep. 84
May 08, 2024•32 min•Ep. 83
In this essential episode of 'Everything Early Childhood,' we delve into the crucial topic of child protection education, providing early childhood professionals with the tools, strategies, and knowledge to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care. We confront the hard truths about child safety and discuss the responsibilities of being a mandatory reporter. Listeners will learn how to incorporate regular drills, have open conversations with teams and families, use anatomica...
Apr 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 82
Apr 10, 2024•40 min•Ep. 81
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Everything Early Childhood," where we dive deep into the crucial aspects of early childhood education and care. Today, our expert host, Leeza, sheds light on the paramount importance of supervision in early childhood, creating safe and nurturing environments for our youngest learners. Key Highlights: Understanding Supervision: Leeza kicks off the episode by defining what supervision in early childhood settings entails and its critical role in safeguardin...
Mar 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 80
