This week we dive into the evolution of child care and the challenges providers face today. We will discuss the social and emotional impact of children entering TK, Early Headstart & Headstart and also how caregiving is curriculum. The hosts touch on available trainings like PITC and California Teaching Pyramid for Family Child Care Providers.

We also touched on mental health care for providers, parent expectations, and the reality of competing with" FREE" while still investing in professional development.

In this episode of Daycare Chronicles 101, we sit down with Shannon Estrin—autism specialist, mental health coach, and advocate for neurodivergent children. With a master’s in education and a heart for inclusion, Shannon brings real talk and real tools. This is one episode you don’t want to miss.

The Provider Lounge is a segment of the Daycare Chronicles 101 Podcast, created by Tonya Muhammad. It’s a space where experienced family child care providers and early childhood professionals come together for real, unfiltered conversations about the industry.

Topics include the challenges of running a daycare, navigating policies and regulations, managing burnout, building professional confidence, and uplifting one another through shared stories.

Featuring voices of Katrina Williams, Zakiyyah Baez, Ineeze Gainey, and Tashina Johnson, the goal is to inform, inspire, and empower providers—one episode at a time.