Early Excellence Podcast

This week, we’re joined by Anna-Marie Bevan, the Head of Ely and Caerau Integrated Children’s Centre in Cardiff. We discuss the journey of development at the setting, the rich experiences provided and the importance of striking the right balance between child initiated and adult-guided learning. Episode Links Explore our upcoming CPD Join our EYFS Roadshow

Judith Ish-Horowicz, the co-founder and director of the UK’s first intergenerational nursery, joins us for our first episode of the new school year. As part of our chat, Judith tells us all about the inspirational multi-generational work at Apples and Honey Nightingale and the benefits for all involved. Episode Links Watch Judith Ish-Horowicz presenting a TEDx Talk about her work Find out mor...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today 2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 85 This week we’re joined by Clare King, one of our Curriculum Consultants at Early Excellence. We discuss the key principles of effective continuous provision and how to put these principles into practice. Take a virtual classroom tour of the Early Excellence learn...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today 2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 52 In this week’s episode, Andy and Llewella explore the increasing popularity of tuff spot trays in early years settings. They discuss how Tuff Spot trays are used, look closely at some of the potential drawbacks of being over reliant on tray based activities and a...

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 90 Does your practice reflect the value of self-regulation? In this week’s episode, we’re joined by members of the senior team from Rawmarsh Nursery School in Rotherham as we explore the vital importance of nurturing self-regulation skills.  Access training on Child Development including Self-Regulation Become an Early Excellence Partner School Explore C...

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 112 Catherine Laing, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics, rejoins us this week for a close look at speech and language research.  Book your Place on our Let’s Get Talking Training Course Listen to our Earlier Episode with Catherine Laing "Exploring Early Speech and Language Development" Explore our Free Continuous Provision Guides and Audits

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 92 Nicky Turner, from the Astrea Multi-Academy Trust, joins us in our new Early Excellence studio as we explore the vital importance of supporting early literacy and phonics skills effectively. Book your Place on Early Excellence Training Visit our New Early Excellence Studio Listen to our Podcast Episode on Brilliant Books and Poems to Inspire Young Writers

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 105 This week, we visit Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool and take a tour of their inspirational EYFS learning environments Watch our Free Planning your Environment Webinar Shop our Inspirational Resources Download our free Audits and Planning Guides  

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today 2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 106 With more schools recognising the growing interest in continuous provision for Key Stage 1 education, Andy Burt and Nova Robinson delve into its implementation. From understanding the needs of Key Stage 1 children to navigating transitions from early years, this...

In our last new episode of the school year, we find out about a great project! The 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5 Project aims to provide a list of experiences for young children which are not to be missed. Christian Bunting and Frank Norris join us as we explore the beginnings of the project, the range of experiences and the impact on young children. Explore our CPD Training for you an...

Dora Rackham from City Academy, Whitehawk, near Brighton joins us for this week’s episode as we explore the progression of writing skills. Dora has developed a tool to track the small steps involved in developing writing skills and joins us to share how it is used and the impact on the practice. Explore our Mark Making to Writing Course  Listen to our Podcast "Exploring Early Literacy and Pho...

We welcome Evan McCormick to the studio for this week’s podcast as we explore key strategies to support children’s communication and language skills. As part of the conversation, we discuss our use of routines, plan-do-review cycles and effective adult interactions. We also consider the specific needs of some children including those with English as an additional language and also children who hav...

Nova Robinson catches up with the team at Quinton Primary School in Birmingham for this week’s episode. They discuss the implementation of an effective approach to Key Stage One practice based on an enabling learning environment, strong adult-child learning relationships and smoother transitions from the EYFS. Watch our Free Plan Your Learning Environment KS1 webinar Last Chance to attend the KS1...

This week, we’re joined by Natalie Bignell from Kidstart Nursery in Manchester. We discuss the key transition procedures in place at the nursery and the positive impact for children, the families and staff team.  Listen to our recent episode "Effective Transition with Phil Armstrong" Read our Blog on "Exploring Powerful Learning Through Domestic Role Play" Watch our Free Room Planning Webinar...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Outdoor storage is the focus this week as we’re joined by our very own Matthew Sayer. We discuss the importance of high levels of organisation outdoors and offer key advice on storage sheds, labelling and the role of the adult.   Download our Free Outdoor Audit Download a Free Outdoor Planning Guide...

This week, Nova Robinson interviews Jude Arkwright and Jane Godfrey from St Michael's School in Wiltshire. They discuss the school's approach to continuous provision in Key Stage 1 and the impact it has on children's learning and well-being. Explore our FREE KS1 Room Planning Webinar Visit St Michaels Website to find out more

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Early Excellence Curriculum Consultant, Matthew Sayer, joins us for this week’s episode of the podcast as we explore the wonderful possibilities of muddy play. As part of our chat, we discuss how to get the most out of your mud kitchen area, which resources should be available and how to manage the space...

This week, we’re joined by Phil Armstrong from the Early Excellence Curriculum Team as we explore effective transition processes within the EYFS.  Read our Blog all About Effective Transition to Year 1 Listen to The Podcast Episode "5 Things to Remember in September" Access our EYFS Training

In this inspiring discussion, Gillian Jones and Jayne Richardson reflect on their school’s journey of implementing continuous provision from Pre School through to Year 2. They discuss the process of developing well- planned learning environments and how this has had a positive impact on the practice, the children and the staff team. Watch our Free KS1 Planning Your Environment Webinar Read our Blo...

Gillian Hewitt, the Deputy Headteacher at Dyce Primary School, joins us this week to discuss the fantastic possibilities of baking in the EYFS. Explore our CPD Opportunities for EYFS Listen to our Gardening and Growing Episode

Catherine Laing, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics, rejoins us this week for a close look at speech and language research.  Book your Place on our Let’s Get Talking Training Course Listen to our Earlier Episode with Catherine Laing "Exploring Early Speech and Language Development" Explore our Free Continuous Provision Guides and Audits

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today We catch up with our very own Clare King for this week’s episode of the podcast. As part of our chat, we explore the powerful impact of building on children’s interests and Clare tells us all about a very successful bee project. Explore our CPD Programme Read our Blog on Building on Children's interests...

In this episode of the Early Excellence podcast, Andy Burt interviews Janette Quinn, Director of Education and Professional Learning at COBIS (Council of British International Schools). They explore her global education experience, passion for early years education, and COBIS's role in accreditation and professional development. Highlighting effective practices and the importance of planning and r...

How do you meet the needs of all of your children? In this week’s episode, we talk to Alex Sutcliffe from Ravenshead Church of England School in Nottinghamshire as we reflect on meeting the needs of children with SEND. As part of this, we focus on the importance of effective learning environments indoors and outdoors and discuss how physical challenge is crucial to meeting children’s needs. Find o...

Join us for this week’s podcast as we explore the link between EYFS practice and research and find out how teachers and practitioners can get involved in their own research projects. Discover more about Dr. Frances Giampapa Explore our CPD Training