Early Excellence Podcast

Lucy Fox from Stoke Primary School in Coventry joins us for this week’s episode, as we explore the impact of screen-free practice in the EYFS. Episode Links Read the Blog: Block Play Alongside Small World Resources Read the Blog: Navigating the Sea of Talk - why language-rich environments go beyond labels and key words Explore language-rich environment resources on the Inspiration Hub App

What does it look like when a whole city gets behind children's communication and language? Re-release: Originally aired on 17 Apr 2026 Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming join us to explore Early Talk for York — a citywide initiative aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children, and what it takes to make that kind of joined-up approach work. Episode Links Explore the Early...

Role play is our focus this week as we welcome Becky Hoare to the podcast. Becky is a Primary Teacher and the Founder of Pop Up Play Village Ltd. We discuss children’s natural desire to role play what they see in the world around them. There is lots of key advice here too for developing effective and inspiring domestic role play in your setting. Episode Links Read the Blog "Exploring Powerful Lear...

We’re joined on the podcast this week by Ed Finch, a Headteacher with a passion for storytelling. We have a great chat about our natural desire to tell stories and the impact of this on our lives. We also explore how storytelling provides wonderfully engaging learning opportunities for our youngest children. Episode Links Read the Blog - Unlocking the Power of Block Play in the EYFS Listen to this...

Play isn't a luxury — so why does it keep getting pushed to the margins? Re-release: Originally aired on 20 Feb 2026 Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England, joins us to discuss why play matters so much for children's development, the barriers standing in its way, and what a genuine cultural shift around play would look like. Episode Links Explore Play England's Official Website...

Dixie-Louise Dexter joins us for this week’s episode as we explore effective transition processes and the value of slowing down the pace. Episode Links Explore our Transition to Year 1 Blog Discover our EYFS CPD & Training Programme Transform your Learning Environment

What do educators really need to know about supporting children born prematurely? Re-release: Originally aired on 7 Mar 2025 Caroline Woodman joins us this week as we explore the impact of premature birth on children's development. Caroline shares her own story and that of her son, Reuben, who was born prematurely. She emphasises the importance of early intervention, understanding developmental ch...

Gemma Wales and Sarah Gaughan from Patana School in Bangkok join us for this week’s episode. We discuss how their early years practice has been inspired by Anji Play and discuss key aspects such as the theory, resources, the practice and the impact on the young learners. Episode Links Discover our support for International Schools and Settings Explore more on Anji Play

What does child-centred creative practice really look like in the early years? Re-release: Originally aired on 9 May 2025 In this episode, Gemma Shadid joins us to explore the power of child-centred creative practice in the EYFS. We discuss the Reggio Emilia approach, the role of quality materials in art, and how sensory experiences and cultural diversity shape children's learning and identity. Ep...

Speech Therapist and online educator Joanne Jones joins us on the podcast this week. We discuss positive approaches to supporting speech, language and communication skills in young children. Episode Links Explore language-rich environment resources on the Inspiration Hub App Develop your understanding of language and communication with Let's Get Talking in the EYFS Read the Blog Navigating the Sea...

Listen in as we’re joined by Jess Watson and Claire Curtis from the Charnwood Nursery and Preschool Group and discuss all things forest schools. We explore the development of their forest school site, the wonderfully rich experiences provided and the impact on their children. Episode Links Find out more about the forest school on their instagram pages @_beyondtheforest @charnwood_nursery_preschool...

What does a transformative learning environment actually look like when a room plan really comes together? Re-release: Originally aired on 16 May 2025 In this episode, we chat with Rachel Stephenson and Sue Lonsdale from Holme Valley Primary School in Scunthorpe. They share their experience of developing inspirational learning environments and reflect on the impact this had during their recent Ofs...

This week, we’re joined by Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming as we discuss a citywide initiative in York aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children. Episode Links Explore the Early Talk for York Initiative Read about Developing Language in the Early Years Discover our Communication and Language CPD

What does truly high-quality education for two year olds actually look like in practice? Re-release: Originally aired on 5 Sep 2025 In this episode, Andy Burt speaks with Gemma Stanton and Kate Kelly from Dulwich College Shanghai about their experiences and insights into two-year-old practice in early years education. They discuss the challenges of establishing a nurturing environment for toddlers...

What does creating an inspiring outdoor space actually look like in early years settings? Re-release: Originally aired on 16 Jan 2026 In this episode, we explore the key features of effective practice outdoors with the inspirational Kathryn Solly. As part of the conversation, we discuss the importance of creating a positive culture towards outdoor learning and explore a broad range of rich outdoor...

Dr Gai Lindsay joins us this week on the podcast as we explore the rich learning opportunities provided by visual art experiences. We discuss the wonderful nature of creative experiences for young children and offer practical guidance for teachers and practitioners. Episode Links Explore Dr Gai Lindsay’s website Order a copy of her book on Amazon Discover Early Excellence resources to facilitate c...

In this episode, Jonathan Tremewan and Jess Denning from the BBC Bitesize team join us as we explore their recent projects and resources to inspire young learners. Episode Links Explore BBC Bitesize Discover Early Excellences Free Learning Resources

In this, our 200th Episode , we’re joined by Nancy Stewart . We explore Nancy’s career at the forefront of early years education and also the new updated version of Birth to 5 Matters. Episode Links Explore the Birth to 5 Matters Guidance Read the Survey Responses Invest in the Continuous Provision Guides Discover the EExREC Baseline Assessment Tool

What happens when you take early years learning outside the classroom — and into the woods? Re-release: Originally aired on 24 Oct 2025 Claire Underwood shares her journey in early years education, from teaching in affluent areas to leading outdoor learning at Hopping Hill School. She introduces Wonderwood, a nature-based space that inspires creativity and connection, and reflects on the importanc...

Emma Weston is our guest for this week’s episode of the podcast. Emma is a Learning Designer at Verso International School in Bangkok. As part of the conversation, Emma takes us on a tour of their inspirational learning environments and we also explore how Emma and her team follow children’s interests, and plan fascinating projects. Episode Links Discover our support for International Schools &amp...

This week, we’re joined by Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England. We discuss the vital importance of play and the barriers to it within society. We also explore what needs to happen to create a positive cultural shift around play. Episode Links Explore Play England's Official Website Listen to our Episode with Ruth Lue-Quee

In this episode, Anne Brass and Kate Gingles join us to discuss mixed-age classes and the complexities schools face when change is driven by necessity rather than vision. The conversation explores the difficulty of establishing a clear guiding purpose, the pressures that can lead to structural change, and the limited guidance available for schools navigating transformation in mixed-age classrooms....

Practical guidance for planning, resourcing, and delivering high-quality outdoor learning in the EYFS. Re-release: Originally aired on 15 Nov 2024 In this episode, Evan McCormick explores the key principles of effective outdoor learning in the early years. We discuss the importance of thoughtful organisation, purposeful resourcing, and careful planning, alongside the vital role of the adult in sup...

This week, we’re joined by Leanne Foster as we discuss her experience of a pilot Ofsted inspection at her school. We discuss the focus on the EYFS and the conversations that Leanne and her team had with the inspectors as part of the process. Episode Links Explore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader Briefing Stay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs

In this week’s episode we meet with Charlotte Knight- Benjafield and Rob Spillane from Wellington College in Shanghai. We discuss their bilingual and immersive curriculum and how they use project based learning to fully embed effective learning characteristics. Episode Links Discover our support for International Schools and Settings Explore more about Wellington College