Hello hello, my fabulous educators.

I almost quit. As someone who encourages educators to keep going, that feels strange to say out loud. But if I'm going to tell you to keep going, I owe you the honest story of what almost made me stop.

It wasn't one moment. It was everything at once: my PhD, my aging parents, home, finances, work across multiple institutions, and the weight of what is happening in education right now. One night I asked a question I never thought I would ask: was choosing education a mistake?

In this Real Talk episode:

• What was really happening when quitting felt like the answer
• When the doubt gets loud
• What made me stay, and the sticky note on my mirror
• Why I need you to sit in it and not rush to the end
• Thriving, not just surviving
• What made me come back

If you are in it right now, you are not alone. Your contribution to education is not measured by how much you can endure without support.

Tell me your almost quit moment. DM me @ispyrtoeducate on Instagram. I read every one.

Connect with me: @ispyrtoeducate on Instagram, or info@ispyrtoeducate.com

The Inspiring ECE Podcast by Ispyr to Educate, hosted by Marcia Nicole.

Is child care worth it? It is a question I hear from parents, from educators, from owners and supervisors, and honestly, sometimes from myself. Ontario just extended its child care agreement for four more years, so it felt like the right time to have this conversation.

In this episode, I share what I looked for as a mom and an RECE when I chose child care for my youngest, what fees and waitlists really look like right now, and why the quality of child care always comes back to the quality of the educators. I also speak to the educators who love this work but are wondering if they can afford to stay, and to the owners, supervisors and dreamers who want to open their own centres.

In this episode: (0:42) Is child care worth it? (1:21) When I was the parent looking (3:27) Parents, let's talk about the money (5:03) Families who keep their children at home (5:57) What makes care worth it: the educators (7:44) Educators: can I afford to stay? (9:45) Owners, supervisors and dreamers (10:50) So, is it worth it?

Is it worth it for you? Send me a DM @ispyrtoeducate with the words "worth it" and share your story. I read every one. 💜

Resources: Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (sign up for their newsletter): https://www.aeceo.ca Care Counts Rally, Thursday, October 29, 12 PM, Queen's Park South Lawn (RSVP): https://events.aeceo.ca/2026_rally Questions for candidates in the 2026 municipal elections (OCBCC): https://childcareontario.org/questions-for-candidates-in-the-2026-municipal-elections/ Find an EarlyON child and family centre: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-earlyon-child-and-family-centre Ontario child care and early years funding guidelines: https://www.ontario.ca/page/child-care-and-early-years-funding-guidelines

Sources mentioned in this episode: Canada and Ontario's four year child care agreement extension (Government of Canada): https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2026/09/canada-and-ontario-agree-to-four-year-extension-of-canadaontario-canada-wide-early-learning-and-child-care-agreement.html Child care arrangements in Canada, 2025 (Statistics Canada): https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/251021/dq251021c-eng.htm AECEO and OCBCC response to the extension: https://childcareontario.org/advocates-slam-agreement/ Long term impacts of universal child care (Baker, Gruber and Milligan study): https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20170603 Educator qualifications and the quality of early learning (research review): https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654319837540 The economic returns of affordable child care in Canada (Centre for the Study of Living Standards): https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CSLS_Childcare_June_2026_Final_v3.pdf

Listen and connect: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IspyrEducate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/ Website: https://ispyrtoeducate.com/home Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

Hello, my friends. I'm back, and it feels so good to say that.

In this Season 4 opener, I share why The Inspiring ECE Podcast went quiet. Life kept happening: family responsibilities, job insecurity, a business to run, a PhD, teenagers stepping toward their futures, and aging parents who need more of me. We decided to move, and we've faced financial hardship, like so many of you. I needed to pause, and this episode is about what that pause gave me and why I chose to come back.

In this episode: - Where I've been and why I paused - The moment I stopped saying "I'm fine" - Deciding what deserves your capacity right now - What I missed most, and why I'm back - Why sometimes the best next step is simply to start

If you've had to step back from something you love, or you're wondering how to begin again, this one is for you.

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IspyrEducate

Connect with me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate

Website: https://ispyrtoeducate.com/home

Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

If this episode spoke to you, share it with an educator who needs it and follow the show so you don't miss what's next.

In this powerful episode, I was honored to join Allie, host of the Leading Inspired Learning at Strive podcast, for what turned out to be one of the most vulnerable and necessary conversations I’ve had to date. Together, we explored what it means to live, work, and lead as a Black educator in the early childhood field and the realities of navigating systems that are not always ready to see us, hear us, or value our voices.

I share my own lived experiences as a Black educator from being overlooked for leadership roles and chasing qualifications just to be “seen,” to the painful reality of hearing my son labeled as the “angry Black boy.” Together, we unpack how bias, microaggressions, and silence continue to shape our sector, and why diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging can’t simply be a checklist or a book on the shelf.

This isn’t easy work. It requires courage, reflection, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. But it’s also where growth begins. Whether you’re an educator, leader, or parent, this conversation invites you to reflect on your own practices, embrace cultural understanding, and commit to creating spaces where every child and every educator is truly seen and valued.

Strive is a collaborative network of child care and early years professionals committed to supporting learning, reflection, and growth across the sector. Since 2014, Strive has been bringing educators and leaders together to explore new ideas, share experiences, and strengthen practice in ways that are sustainable and community-driven.

Guided by an Advisory Committee that reflects the diversity and complexity of the early years field, Strive ensures that professional learning remains relevant, responsive, and rooted in the real challenges and opportunities educators face every day. Supported by Childreach, a Canadian registered charity, Strive continues to elevate collaboration and inspire meaningful change in early learning and child care

Infant Educators… Where Are You? with Coach Sophie

In this episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, host Marcia Nicole welcomes Coach Sophie, Infant Education Guru with The Early Childhood Coach (ECC), for a heartfelt conversation about a group of educators who are too often overlooked infant educators.

Sophie shares her journey into the field, beginning with her very first diaper change at eleven years old to more than a decade of experience as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). Together, Marcia and Sophie unpack why infant educators are sometimes the “forgotten voices” in our sector, how post-secondary programs and placements could do more to prepare students, and the common misconceptions that minimize the importance of infant care.

Listeners will also hear:

• Why working with infants is a unique honor and opportunity

• How “Educatorese” (child-directed speech) supports learning, bonding, and emotional regulation

• Practical ways to plan meaningful, play-based experiences for infants

• Tips to connect with parents through compassion, communication, and advocacy

• Inspiration for infant educators to feel seen, valued, and celebrated

Sophie’s passion shines as she reminds us that infants are capable, curious learners, and the educators who care for them play a vital role in shaping their earliest experiences. This conversation is both empowering and practical whether you’re an educator, a student, or simply someone who believes babies deserve the best start.

As ECC’s Infant Education Guru, Sophie is deeply passionate about infant care and play, weaving creativity into intentional programming for the youngest learners. Whether through art, community building, or play, Sophie brings curiosity, joy, and advocacy to everything she does as a play partner and infant specialist.

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Feeling the pressure for your classroom to look like a Pinterest board? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Marcia Nicole gets real about the first weeks of school, the myths we need to bust, and the truth about classroom setup on a budget.

From dealing with outside perceptions to resisting comparison, you’ll be reminded that your classroom is already amazing—because you are in it. Learn how to set boundaries with your budget, involve your students in co-creating their space, and find joy in building classrooms that are functional, welcoming, and full of heart.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about purpose. Tune in, take a breath, and remember: you are doing an incredible job.

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In this real-talk solo episode, host Marcia Nicole opens up about why she had to step away from the podcast and what it really means to pause when life gets overwhelming. From burnout to family obligations to the guilt that comes with stepping back, Marcia shares honestly about her own messy, beautiful, and unpredictable “life-ing” season.

She also reveals the hard truths her community shared with her truths that stung but ultimately inspired growth and the strategies she’s using to rebuild with more clarity and strength.

What you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why pausing isn’t failure, it’s being human

• How to embrace rest and let go of guilt

• The importance of leaning on community during tough seasons

• Three ways to reframe the pause so you come back stronger

✨ Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or parent juggling it all, this episode is your permission slip to hit pause, reset, and remember: you are not alone.

• Follow our Instagram: @‌ispyrtoeducate

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join Our Newsletter

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, your host, Marcia Nicole, takes you on a journey into the wondrous world of nurturing meaningful relationships with the young minds in our care. Discover the magic behind crafting bonds that not only inspire but also shape a child's future.

From the simplicity of saying "hello" to understanding emotional check-ins, Marcia shares tips and insights that will empower educators to create a world of positive connections within their classrooms. Explore the art of being an inspiring role model and building a community that bridges the gap between home and school life.

Tune in for expert advice and the joy of celebrating every success with your fellow educators. Don't miss this episode filled with wisdom, warmth, and the promise of building an extraordinary educational community.