Thriving Together

In this episode of the Thriving Together podcast, we are joined by Joanna Wlaszczyk , Lead for the EAL Team in Herefordshire, for an in-depth conversation about supporting children with English as an Additional Language in early years and school settings. Over the course of this hour-long episode, we explore practical guidance, inclusive practice, and the vital role of partnership with famili...

A focused 30‑minute episode with Fiona Wood As part of our Early Years Maths mini‑series, Emily and Carli are joined once again by Fiona Wood for a practical, 30‑minute deep dive into one of the most important — and often misunderstood — foundations of mathematical development: subitising. Subitising is far more than “quick counting”. In this episode, Fiona — Early Years Improvement Advisor, Assis...

A 1‑hour conversation for Early Years educators So many adults wince when they hear the question: “Are you good at maths?” In this honest and thought‑provoking one‑hour podcast episode, hosts Emily and Carli unpack why this question still carries so much baggage — especially in the Early Years. They’re joined by Fiona Wood, renowned Early Years Improvement Advisor, Assistant Maths Hub Lead for the...

Join Emily and Carli from Herefordshire’s Early Years Improvement Team, alongside colleagues from the Attendance Team, for an insightful 45-minute conversation on supporting attendance in early years settings. In this episode, we explore best practices for engaging children and families, practical strategies to promote consistent attendance, and how settings can create a positive culture around pa...

Following the release of the updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework on 14 July 2025, which comes into effect on 1 September 2025, Emily and Carli discuss what’s changing and what it means for your setting. Whether you're a childminder, part of a group or school-based setting, an early years educator, or part of a leadership team, this episode...

An essential summer topic - Sun safety for early years providers, in this episode Emily and Carli are joined by Vicki Major, a public health improvement coordinator from Herefordshire Council. They will be taking a deep dive into why sun safety matters for young children, what to look for on sun cream bottles, how much sun cream should be used, and examples of good practice from our early years pr...