Early Excellence Podcast

This week, we talk to Alison Clark about her recent book  Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child . As part of the conversation, Alison discusses the pressures within Early Childhood Education and makes the case for slow pedagogies when working with young children. Watch the low Pedagogy-Making Time for Children’s Learning and Development Video Clip Order a copy of Slow Knowledge and the Unhur...

Dr Nathan Archer, Director of the International Montessori Institute, joins us for this week’s episode as we explore the life and work of Maria Montessori. As part of our discussion, we explore the impact of Maria Montessori’s work and how her approaches to education have influenced practice and provision to this day. Explore the International Montessori Institute at Leeds Beckett University

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Our own Matthew Sayer, Curriculum Consultant at Early Excellence, joins us for this week’s episode of the podcast as we explore boys’ learning in the EYFS and debate why they nationally are not achieving the same levels of expected development in aspects as girls, and what needs to be considered. Find ou...

This week, we talk to Catherine Laing, Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics at York University. As part of the discussion, we explore early speech and also the impact of the Covid19 lockdowns on children’s speaking skills Read our blog on Navigating the Sea of Talk Book onto our Let’s Get Talking Course

Do you make the most of daily and weekly routines in the Early Years and Key Stage One? In this week’s episode, we’re joined by our very own Nova Robinson, as we discuss and explore how effective routines can be used to provide inspirational experiences and embed learning over time. Watch our free Training Video on Continuous Provision in Key Stage 1 with Nova Robinson. Access our free EYFS and Ke...

We are delighted to be joined by Dr Helen Williams on this week’s episode of The early Excellence Podcast. Helen is an independent educational consultant, specialising in the learning and teaching of primary mathematics. Helen’s book " Playful Mathematics for Children 3 to 7"  won the Nursery World Professional Book of the Year Award in 2022. Read our  Mathematical Musings  blo...

Our own Sarah Carey, the presenter of the Head-to Head Podcast, joins us for this week’s episode and introduces us to Emma Prokipczuk. Emma is the Executive Principal of three schools in the Inspiring Primaries Academy Trust and joins Sarah to discuss their recent Ofsted inspection visits. Subscribe to the Head-to-Head Podcast Join us for our National Briefing Find out about the Early Excellence L...

In this, our 60th episode, we’re joined by Nicky Turner the Early Years Lead for the Astrea Academy Trust. As part of our conversation, we explore what we mean by cultural capital in the early years. Read our Blog "All About Building on Children’s Interests" Access Training on How to Explore and Develop Children’s Interests Watch our Free Training Video on Developing High Quality Domestic Rol...

This week, we talk with Nicola Musgrove. Nicola is a former early years practitioner, a further education college tutor and is mum to two children with autism. As part of the interview, Nicola discusses her own experiences of autism and also offers key advice for teachers and practitioners working in the EYFS. Nicola's Husband Tim is running the London Marathon to raise money for The National Auti...

This week, we’re joined on the podcast by Ben Kingston-Hughes. Ben is an author, trainer, keynote speaker and also the Managing Director of Inspired Children. Our conversation takes many twists and turns but focuses on the vital importance of early childhood. Join our Conference with Ben Kingston-Hughes Order a copy of Ben's Book Explore our Training & Events Listen to our interview with Prof....

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today This week, Andy and Llewella explore how too many weekly enhancements can be an unhelpful part of practice and consider what the alternatives are. Explore our webinar "Too Much Provision, Not Enough Teaching" Order a copy of our Guide to Continuous Provision Read our Blog "What is Continuous Provision?"...

In this week’s episode, we talk to Dr Mine Conkbayir about the importance of self-regulation, co-regulation and meeting children’s emotional needs. Explore our upcoming Let's Explore Self-Regulation webinar Order The Neuroscience of the Developing Child book Discover more about Dr Mine Conkbayir

In this week’s episode we chat to Jess Martin and Natalie Hewitt from Highgate Primary Academy, part of the Astrea Academy Trust. We discuss the school’s recent Ofsted inspection and what the experience was like from the perspective of the EYFS team. Listen to The Early Excellence Head-to-Head Podcast Read Ofsted's New Publication "What EY Providers & Practitioners Need to Know"

In this week’s episode, we talk to Professor Nirmala Rao from Hong Kong University about her research, global approaches to early education and an international award for early years practice.  Register for Khalifa International Award for Early Learning Field Explore the work of Professor Rao Explore more on Early Excellence

In our first podcast episode of 2023, we chat with Sarah Carey, one of our colleagues at Early Excellence, about a brand new podcast for Headteachers and School Leaders. Gain access to the Head-to-Head Podcast

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today 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 ask the question: Is it time to move away f...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Do you follow a structure of topics and themes as part of your practice? In your setting, are schemes used to structure the teaching of literacy and mathematical skills? In this week’s episode, Andy and Llewella discuss the benefits of working within a structure alongside the need to respond to children’...

Young children have a natural desire to explore their world and share ideas through creative expression. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by artist Emma-Jo Bairstow as we discuss key ways to develop provision and practice in relation to expressive arts and design.   Develop your practice by joining Emma-Jo Bairstow for our  Every Child an Artist  course Looking for some festive...

As one of the prime areas of learning, physical development underpins children’s overall learning and development. Yet how often do we consider children’s physical development in real depth? In this week’s episode, we talk with Helen Hawes about her support work in schools and how small changes to our practice can have a big impact for our children. Find out more about our "Let's Explore Physical...

In this week’s episode, we talk to Trisha Lee all about the importance of nurturing and celebrating children’s storytelling. Trisha tells us all about her work in schools and also about her new book, The Growth of a Storyteller, which explores the practice of using helicopter stories to value, nurture and inspire young learners. Order your copy of The Growth of a Storyteller Explore our Themed Rol...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Kate Gingles and the EYFS team at Newcastle High School for Girls. As part of our chat, we talk about the team’s key focus on developing enjoyable and rich mathematical learning opportunities for their Nursery and Reception children. Find out more about our “More than a Maths Scheme” Course Read our blog: Mathematical Musings by Jude Twan...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Children’s books provide us with wonderfully rich opportunities to nurture and provoke imaginative writing ideas. In this week’s episode, Andy and Llewella share some fantastic children’s books for inspiring young writers. Browse our 3-5 Yrs Book Resource Collection Find Out More About Our Let’s Explore...

In this week’s episode, we chat to Ruth Swailes and Aaron Bradbury about their fantastic new book - Early Childhood Theories Today. They discuss the links between theories and practice within the classroom, the benefits of the book, their writing process and much more. Purchase a copy of Early Childhood Theories Today Explore our EYFS Training Discover our KS1 Courses

Do you have wordless books within your classroom provision? In your setting, are wordless books used to support children’s language development and storytelling skills? Join us for this week’s episode of The Early Excellence Podcast where we explore and review some great wordless books and discuss how the books can be used to support the development of a wide range of skills. Watch the Video “The...

This week, we’re joined by Professor Sam Wass from The University of East London. Sam is a child psychologist and neuroscientist specialising in concentration and stress in young children. You will probably remember Sam as the on-screen child psychologist in the popular Channel 4 programmes The Secret Lives of 4 Year Olds and The Secret Lives of 5 Year Olds. Order The Secret Lives of 4, 5 and 6 Ye...