Best Practice Network: Apprenticeships

This podcast episode explores the powerful role of coaching in early years leadership with Shelly Newby, an experienced early years professional whose career spans more than two decades across childcare, teaching, nursery leadership, special educational needs, mentoring, and staff development. Drawing on a wealth of practical experience, Shelly shares insights into how coaching can unlock potentia...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Deanne Cook, Managing Director of Northumbria University Nursery, to explore a critical but often overlooked issue in early years education: employment law. Together, they discuss staff rights, employer responsibilities, workplace wellbeing, and the impact t...

This episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast dives into one of the biggest challenges facing early years leaders today: leading change in an ever-evolving sector. Host Tatia Singleton is joined by Deanne Cook, Manager of Northumbria University Nursery, to explore how effective leaders navigate uncertainty, adapt to new information, and confidently guide their teams through chan...

In this thought‑provoking new episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast , hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton sit down with Karen McGuigan , founder of Maths for Life , to explore how maths education can be reimagined to better support learners of all ages and abilities. Together, they unpack the mission behind Maths for Life — a movement dedicated to making maths meaningful...

People are your greatest asset - but leading people is rarely straightforward. You will explore the hidden side of human resources, from trust, culture and social capital to talent hoarding, difficult conversations and discretionary effort, helping you lead people with greater confidence, fairness and authenticity. Matthew Smith MBE is School Business Manager at Sheringham Woodfields School in Nor...

In this inspiring new episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton sit down with two passionate Early Years leaders: Jane Cockedge, owner and manager of Jane’s Nature Nurseries , and Sonia Chesmer, to explore how sustainability can be meaningfully embedded into Early Years practice. Together, they discuss the vital role Early Years settings...

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, co-hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Tim Hopkins, Strategic Development Manager at Humpty Dumpty Nurseries Limited, to explore how strong HR practices underpin successful early years settings. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the sector, Tim shares practical insights into safer recruitment, effe...

Finance, workforce planning and procurement can feel daunting, but strategic leadership is not about being an accountant. You will explore how to make informed decisions, weigh risks and trade-offs, communicate change effectively and focus resources where they have the greatest impact on people, learning and organisational priorities. Matthew Smith MBE is School Business Manager at Sheringham Wood...

In this episode, we challenge the idea that budgeting is just about balancing the books and making difficult cuts. Joined by operations leader and nursery director Benjamin Wire , we explore how budgets can become a strategic tool for innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact. Can profit and purpose coexist? Should leaders prioritise people, experiences, or resources? And what happens when...

Corporate social responsibility is not just for large organisations. You will explore how leadership decisions affect people, communities and the environment and consider what responsible practice looks like in everyday settings. This episode encourages you to move beyond good intentions and reflect on the impact others actually experience. Our special guest this week is Steph Larner-Pickin; who i...

What does Corporate Social Responsibility really look like in an early years setting? In this inspiring episode, we speak with Jayne Cocksedge and Sonya Cheesmur from Jane's Nature Nursery about how sustainability, community engagement, and ethical leadership can transform children's learning experiences. Discover how a nature-based approach is helping children become more resilient, independent,...

Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by guest Bethanie Wiltshire, Employer Partnership Manager and Co-Chair of the SEG Pride Network, to mark Pride Month and explore the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in education and the workplace. Together, they discuss the significance of Pride Month, the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments, and how organisations...

In this insightful episode Tatia Singleton is joined by co-host, Emma Minchella and Lauren Hemmings to explore the role of organisational values in early years education and leadership. Drawing on their extensive experience as nursery leaders and managers, the conversation unpacks what values such as child-centred practice, partnership working, staff wellbeing, inclusion, and passion for early yea...

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, host Emma Minchella is joined by guest Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges from Coram Pacey to explore the findings from the Magic of Childminding 2026 report and celebrate the incredible impact childminders have on children, families and communities. Together, they discuss what makes childminding such a distinctive form of childcare, the im...

Explore what organisational values really mean in practice. You will reflect on whether values are lived or just displayed, how they shape behaviour and decision making, and how they hold up under pressure. This episode encourages you to align values, actions and culture to lead with greater consistency and clarity. Steph Larner-Pickin is an Assistant Headteacher in an Alternative Provision Academ...

In this upcoming episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by maths and English tutor Tamara Priestman . Together, they explore how the virtual classroom sessions are designed to be engaging, supportive, and inclusive for all learners. Through real-life examples, they highlight how the virtual classrooms are both accessible and...

Explore what ethical leadership really means in practice. You will reflect on values, accountability and the pressures that shape difficult decisions. This episode encourages you to examine your own assumptions, consider competing priorities and lead with integrity when navigating complexity and uncertainty in senior leadership. Steph Larner-Pickin is an Assistant Headteacher in an Alternative Pro...

In this episode, hosts Tatia Ruble Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by experienced nursery leader Dawn Lewis to explore what it truly means to be an ethical leader in an early years setting. Drawing on their collective experience in early childhood education, they discuss the values, responsibilities, and everyday decisions that shape ethical practice. Together, they reflect on how integrit...

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by guest Lucas Wheatley to explore the important topic of feeling lost in adulthood. Together, they dive into the experience of questioning whether we’re on the right path, the challenges of navigating uncertainty, and the impact this can have on mental wellbeing. They also disc...

Develop a sharper strategic mindset by exploring critical analysis and evaluation in real leadership contexts. You will reflect on assumptions, evidence, bias and judgement, considering how decisions are formed under uncertainty. This episode encourages deeper thinking, balanced reasoning and greater confidence when navigating complex organisational challenges. Guy Strath is an Upper Phase Lead &a...

Explore what makes a business proposal truly strategic. You will reflect on risk, ethics and influence, moving beyond operational fixes to big-picture thinking. This episode helps you test your ideas, challenge assumptions and make confident decisions when navigating complexity, uncertainty and competing priorities as a leader. Resources Creating a strategic business proposal - PowerPoint Find out...

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by guest David Meechan to explore digital skills and the growing role of AI as a tool for learning. Together, they discuss why developing digital confidence is increasingly important, how AI can support learning and skills development in practical and ethical ways, and how learn...

Communicating with impact is not about sounding impressive - it is about being understood. You will reflect on clarity, credibility and influence, explore practical frameworks like The Impact Line and CLEAR and consider how audience, intent and response shape meaning. This episode helps you communicate with purpose, substance and confidence in everyday leadership situations. Resources Communicatin...

In this insightful podcast episode, Dr. Gemma Ryder, senior lecturer at University of East London, explores the concepts of analysis and evaluation as foundational tools for critical thinking and strategic planning, drawing clear connections between academic principles and real-world practice. She breaks down how thorough analysis allows leaders to dissect information, question assumptions, and un...

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast Hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by entrepreneur, nursery owner, and expert Early Years consultant, Sian Douglas. Together we discuss what it means to be a strategic senior leader, in schools and nurseries, and how to identify opportunities for growth and improvement. BPN Boost https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/...