Everything Early Childhood

🌿 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’re All Thinking… But No One’s Saying” Inside, we unpack: ✨ Why shame keeps us silent ✨ The real thoughts you're not alone in having ✨ The myth of “having it all together” ✨ What to do when you're questioning it all ✨ And a gentle reminder: you’re not broken — you’re just human. You are allowed to feel overwhelmed. You are allowed to question. You are allowed to need a moment to breathe. And you are still enough — more than enough. 💛 If your heart needs a soft place to land today, come and join me for this raw, honest, soul-nourishing episode. Tag a leader who needs this reminder. You don’t have to do it all alone. #EverythingEarlyChildhood #HeartLedLeadership #ChildCareDirector #RealTalk #EarlyLearning #ECELeader #BurnoutRecovery #YouAreNotAlone #ECEPodcast #LeadershipWithHeart #ImperfectAndPowerful

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 difference between stress and burnout, and why it matters Why taking time off often leads to guilt—and how to flip that mindset The science behind recovery and what your body and brain truly need Practical steps leaders and educators can take today to create healthier, more sustainable environments Whether you're a centre owner, director, or educator, this episode will help you reframe what wellbeing really means and how we can do better—for ourselves and our teams. 💼 Connect with Phil Wolffe: 🌐 Website: www.kinexhealth.com.au 📧 Email: phil@kinexhealth.com.au 🔗 LinkedIn: Phil Wolffe

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 permission to pause, reconnect with your why, and remember that rest is part of the work — not a reward for it. In this episode, Leeza explores: The personal struggle of setting boundaries (even on holiday) Why rest is essential to sustainable leadership Questions to ask yourself when you feel pulled in too many directions How to reconnect with your purpose when you feel overwhelmed Let’s connect: Instagram: @platinumedgroup Website: www.platinumed.com.au Email: hello@platinumed.com.au

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 about purpose What the NQS ratings really mean (and how to explain them clearly) How to train and inspire your team when they’re unsure or overwhelmed Why standards matter, and who we’re really doing this for What to do when your team has never seen another service Plus, Leeza shares a moment from the floor that reminded her just how important it is to meet people where they’re at, and help them see what exceeding looks like. Connect with Leeza Browne: Website: www.platinumed.com.au Instagram: @platinumeducationgroup LinkedIn: Leeza Browne Email: hello@platinumed.com.au [hello@platinumed.com.au] If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a review or share it with someone in your early childhood circle. Let’s raise the bar, together.

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 before the age of five, and what this means for educators and early learning environments. We also dive into: What trauma-informed practice really looks like in early childhood Why behaviourism often misses the mark How services can access support and training The power of body-based strategies to support regulation And why educators should never feel like they have to do it alone Whether you're a centre director, educator, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge your thinking, uplift your spirit, and leave you with practical insights to create safer, more connected spaces for children to thrive.