From Overwhelmed to I Got This (Updated Edition)
The go-to guide for new and seasoned childcare directors who are tired of surviving and ready to thrive.
Running a childcare center can feel like juggling flaming paperwork while herding caffeinated kittens — all before noon. Whether you're a brand-new director or a worn-thin veteran, From Overwhelmed to I Got This is here to help you ditch the chaos and step confidently into leadership.
In this updated edition, Carrie Casey shares fresh insights, real talk, and proven tools drawn from decades of experience coaching directors and running successful programs. You'll learn how to:
Streamline your daily operations without losing your mind
Create a staff culture you don't have to babysit
Handle licensing, budgets, and parent drama like a pro
Make decisions that align with your mission — and your sanity
You don't have to figure it all out alone. This book is your backstage pass to practical strategies, mindset shifts, and the encouragement you didn’t know you needed.
You didn’t get into this field to feel overwhelmed. You got into it to lead.
And now? You got this.
Carrie Casey and Kate Woodward Young, M.Ed. designed their director credentialing program in 2002 to meet the need of preschool, daycare, school age, Montessori program directors, and owners. Carrie and Kate have been business partners for 20 years. They have trained thousands of Directors, operated a childcare substitute business, and training program for teachers and parents. They have been working with business owners for a combined 55 years. It is no real surprise that they went into business since they were raised by entrepreneurs and have self-employed grandparents on both sides of the family. You could say they were born to be self-employed!Kate had been working with various directors helping them with marketing and business development. Kate loves working with new business owners to help them find their passion. She works regularly with those who are ready to retire and helping them create their exit strategies. Her career path has taken her through medical, conservation, and Lego paths in addition to her time in schools. Kate is a mother of 4 and loves to travel with her husband and children. Some think she leads a secret life with a mouse.Carrie owned four childcare centers in the Central Austin, Texas area. Carrie is a wife and mother of 2. At the age of 3 she decided that she would have a center when she grew up. It took a while, but by 23 she had achieved her dream. She grew her program over the years making good choices and bad. Eventually, she sold her business to one of her employees and focused on training. Through a series of unusual circumstances, she spent several years in real estate development, before returning to educational program support.The opportunity to train childcare and youth program directors not only appealed to them they knew they wanted to do it the best way possible by having fun trainings that gave the directors the tools they needed.This book is the culmination of that work. They are proud to be able to continue to offer support when directors need the training. If you want to continue your relationship with Carrie & Kate, just join their Facebook community, Director Support Superstars.
