Sam Phillips, Early Education Insurance Agent

05/04/2026

🚨InspectScore™ Pilot Update and Workgroup Recruitment 🗣️
Pennsylvania & Kentucky - YOUR VOICES ARE NEEDED!

This is the project I'm a board member of that is working to create a universal scoring system for childcare with stake holders from insurance, state agencies, and childcare business owners.

Cliffs notes: The goal is to bring us all together over the course of 5 bi-weekly meetings lasting up to 4 hours with each of us assigning a "weight" to different regulations based on our perspective of that regulation's severity. The average weight is then calculated and used to develop a universal scoring method that both insurers and licensing agencies can use to determine a program's true risk factor. Right now, we only have pilot programs in KY and PA which is why we are seeking:

o 4 licensed childcare provider representatives from Kentucky
o 1 licensed childcare provider representative from Pennsylvania

Looks like NAEYC might be providing an honorarium to all providers that participate in this workgroup 🙌, so let me know if you own a licensed center in KY or PA and want to help! You MUST be fully committed as these meetings are mandatory, and this isn't something you can multi-task during.

Comment below if you want to be considered, or tag a friend that you think might be!

04/29/2026

The latest article covering the childcare insurance crisis is tucked away towards the very end, but it’s still there along with my two cents.

🔗 to article in the comments

04/22/2026

The childcare insurance crisis continues to get media attention albeit at a much slower pace than the aftermath of this ongoing epidemic.

I’ve had 4 clients close locations in the last 60 days, but with my close connections to the space, I know of so many others all over the U.S.!! I’m really concerned about the stability of ECE right now. 🥺

Hang in there friends! I’m not sure where this article will take us, but I’m exploring every opportunity to shed light on an issue we can’t rescue ourselves from. 🫶🏽

04/07/2026

Rare invite to work with me!

My April, May and June are looking a little slow for the first time in, well... EVER!

If you have insurance policies expiring between now and June 30th, and you've never given me a chance, or maybe you tried previously but I wasn't able to work you in due to bandwidth, now would be the time to reach out or try again.

My email is [email protected].

Tag and tell your ECE friends!

Send a message to learn more

03/26/2026

I’ve officially joined the InspectScore™ National Advisory Board.

And while that is something I’m genuinely proud of, I’d be lying if I said I’ve been feeling like my pink and sparkly self lately.

The last three years, I’ve poured my whole heart into advocating for better insurance solutions for early education. I’ve had the conversations, shown up in the rooms, pushed the hard points, and tried to keep moving the ball forward even when it felt like barely anyone understood how serious this issue really is.

Sometimes it feels like the needle still isn’t moving enough... like I'm not moving it enough.

That kind of weight can mess with you. It can make you question whether what you’re doing matters. It can make imposter syndrome get real loud. It can make you want to disappear for a bit and stop carrying so much of something that feels so hard to change.

So, this opportunity feels meaningful.

Not because it magically fixes everything, but because it reminds me that maybe the work is being seen. Maybe the voice I’ve fought to use in this space is landing somewhere.

InspectScore™ goal is to help create a more objective way to evaluate regulatory inspections and support better underwriting decisions by looking at long-term patterns instead of one isolated inspection report. That kind of work matters. And I’m honored to bring my insurance perspective to the table. Link in the comments to learn more about this project and our mission.

02/20/2026

Running a childcare program should not feel like constant crisis management.

Many owners are not burned out because they do not care. They are burned out because they have never been given space to step back, rethink their systems, and learn from other experienced owners who truly understand the work.

That is the heart behind the Building Profitable Child Care Programs Without Burnout or Bailouts Virtual Summit.

Each session is just 30 minutes. Real conversations. Real leadership insights. Designed specifically for busy childcare owners who want:
✔ A profitable program without personal sacrifice
✔ Clearer decisions instead of constant reaction
✔ Stability that does not depend on bailouts

Join us February 24 and 25 and take one step toward building a program that works for you, not against you.

👉 Save your spot here
https://go.eventraptor.com/summit/building-profitable-child-summit-2602/carrie&Kate

01/17/2026

The insurance market is a joy crusher… and today was a full-blown episode!

What people don’t see on the agent side is that a “quote” isn’t a quote anymore. It’s an obstacle course with moving goalposts and a timer.

Here’s the behind-the-scenes:
•We start 60–90 days early
•We submit… then underwriting hits us with questions upon questions upon questions
•We send documentation, narratives, procedures, rosters, training logs, loss control updates… basically a small novel
•We email underwriting 200 times (only slightly exaggerating)
•We get declination after declination
•We finally secure coverage and everyone exhales…

…and then the carrier turns around 1.5 months later and says, “Actually… non-renewed.”

So we start all over again. Same business. Same story. Just tighter terms, fewer options, and a down payment that feels like it actually believes in money trees.

And then there were today’s two calls:

📞 Call #1:
“Hey, I know it’s Friday around 3pm… but I need a $20,000 down payment and the DocuSign completed before 5pm, so your policy doesn’t lapse on Monday while everyone else is out here enjoying a three day weekend.”

And that one? That one had me in tears. I literally had to pull myself together to have the hard talk.

I know this client personally (like I do with most of my clients). These aren’t policy numbers to me. They’re people. MY people! Families. Owners who are already carrying too much. And having to be the voice that delivers a financial gut punch with a same-day deadline feels like kicking someone when they’re down… even when it’s completely out of my control.

📞 Call #2:
“Hey, I know you sold your business… but because you had claims-made policies, it’s $57,000 to extend your reporting period for one year… even though you don’t own the business anymore.”

So yeah… this is the part that crushes my soul, too.
It’s not the paperwork. We’re delivering impossible news with urgent deadlines, and then we have to hold it together while we help you solve it.

If you’re a business owner feeling stressed, blindsided, or like insurance is personally targeting you… it’s not just you. This market is doing the absolute most!

And if your agent is asking for “one more document” or “one more signature” at a ridiculous time, please know it’s not because we enjoy ruining weekends!

It’s because we’re fighting like hell to keep you covered in a way that no one but other agents understand!

01/08/2026

When you’ve been at the tip of your breaking point all week yet still trying to keep your chin up, because the year just started! Words of encouragement from my team for the win! 🥰 🦸🏼‍♀️ 💪🏽

01/06/2026

New podcast drop with Kate & Carrie of Childcare Conversations! If you listen to it, drop a 💎 in the comments. Be sure to like and follow their page if you don't already!

Talking insurance can be dry, but it’s absolutely vital for our childcare centers. In this episode, Sam Phillips, Early Education Insurance Agent breaks down the different types of insurance every provider should consider: automobile, property, general liability, abuse, and accident insurance. But that’s not all, we also discussed common mistakes, like filing minor accident claims under general liability, which can actually jeopardize your broader coverage.

Sam offered practical advice on how to choose the right policy for each situation and explained why it’s so important to understand the fine print. If you’re unsure about which policies you need or how to avoid costly errors, this episode is a must-listen.

Protect your business and your peace of mind—tune in for expert guidance and real-world examples! 🎧

Episode on Buzzsprout:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/953587/episodes/18428216

Apple Podcasts Link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/childcare-conversations-with-kate-and-carrie/id1508621119

Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0LLNPNvnE9Akb688ABzqer

12/30/2025

I had the pleasure of educating Leigh on the insurance crisis for an article she was asked to write, and I knew after she told me she was going to make sure everyone was aware of this dire issue that she was passionate about ECE. (link to article in comments if you want to read).

If you've ever wondered how you can become an advocate not just for yourself but our industry as a whole, NCCA is rolling out the red carpet for Leigh Bolick to teach us just that! For those of you that have been doing it awhile already, maybe you'll learn something new or gain a refresher or two. Either way, these 3 sessions are sure to be packed full of value!

Get yourself signed up and share with your ECE friends!

Get ready to strengthen your voice in early childhood advocacy with the National Child Care Association and policy expert Leigh Bolick consultant, Executive Director of the State Child Care Administrators Network (SCCAN), and former South Carolina Director of Early Care and Education.

🗓️ Jan 8 @ 1PM EST – Understanding CCDF: Foundations, Funding, and Federal Requirements
🗓️ Jan 15 @ 1PM EST – Advocacy in Action: How to Work Effectively With State Policymakers
🗓️ Feb 5 @ 1PM EST – Federal Child Care Priorities: What They Mean for CCDF Policy and Providers

Register for one or all three for the full advocacy experience!

Include your questions for Leigh Bolick when you register so they can be addressed during the sessions.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4iTRT5l

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]