I am so excited to welcome our guest today who has over FOUR DECADES of experience in early childhood education. Alix Hall has seven centers in California, Discovery Tree and Arista Schools, and is also partnered with Child Care Business Coach Rachel Supalla on multiple Montana locations of Discovery KidZone. Alix has developed a leadership style focused on uplifting women, promoting from within, and building a network of people who love to work and grow with her. Her eclectic curriculum philosophy is a unique blend that is mainly influenced by Piaget and RIE and encourages multi-age grouping. This episode will inspire you to have pride in the field of early childhood education, implement new technologies, strive for trickle-down leadership, and as Alix says, “Just go for it!”   Key Takeaways: [6:18] Kris shares an update on what The Child Care Success Company has been up to and has planned for this year.  [9:55] Alix fills us in on her locations and where they are.   [14:35] Alix shares how the enrollment in her schools has been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. [17:23] Alix provides us with the types of modifications and changes that she implemented in her schools throughout the pandemic. [21:10] Kris asks Alix to describe her leadership style and her method for developing her schools leaders from within.  [29:23] Alix shares the philosophy behind her schools and curriculum that that they follow.  [34:14] Kris asks Alix to share some tips and insights that she has for retaining a great staff.  [38:26] Alix shares more about what exactly her role is at the Association for Early Learning Leaders.   [42:28] Kris asks Alix to share one thing that she would do differently in her business if she could build it all over again.  [44:50] Alix shares a few of the systems and applications that she is using in her centers.  [47:27] Kris asks Alix to share how she defines a Child Care Rockstar. [51:48] Alix shares some of the resources and books that have been essential to her journey in early education.   Quotes:   “Promoting within is really important to me because I’ve only hired outside of Discovery Tree twice in our 41 years … and both times those people crashed and burned.” — Alix    “The long-timers help the newbies to see, ‘Yeah this can be successful.’” — Alix “Thank goodness for the mentors that I had. I’d never be where I am right now without those mentors.” — Alix “When you know you need to do something, jump in for a new system, a new technology, and don’t wait.” — Alix “Rip off the Bandaid, and go for it, and get it done!” — Alix “A child care rockstar is someone who just loves what they do, has heart for what they do, shows up every day, and just goes for it!” — Alix “I think we’re all rock stars just by what we do.” — Alix “I think this is a time in history in our field, in this industry, that we have a new recognition.” — Alix “I’ve never sat on a baby in my life. This isn’t daycare. I don’t take care of the day; I take care of children. We educate children. We don’t sit on babies. We don’t take care of days.” — Alix “We are essential for many reasons.” — Alix “We are as important as public-school teachers; probably more important because we all know zero-to-five is when all learning, all foundations take place.” — Alix “Be happy. Be good humans.” — Alix “We’re doing good work. We are creating humans.” — Alix   Sponsored By: GROW YOUR CENTER   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Discovery Tree Arista Preschools Discovery KidZone Coach Rachel Supalla Episode 92 — Rachel Supalla Episode 98 — Lori Buxton Episode 86 — Nefertiti Poyner Small Talk! With Ron & Lori The Dream Manager, by Matthew Kelly Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, by John C. Maxwell Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership, by John C. Maxwell Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyo