Early Excellence Podcast

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today Do you use children’s story books as a starting point for exploring mathematical vocabulary and concepts? Do you have mathematically rich picture books as part of the provision in your maths area? In this week’s episode Andy Burt and Llewella Ivins explore some great maths related books and stories to he...

In this week’s Podcast Andy focuses on meaningful mathematics in the EYFS. He explores how a well-planned learning environment allows for powerful connections to support the effective teaching of mathematics. He also reflects on the importance of the adult role to maximise opportunities to embed learning, challenge thinking and introduce vocabulary. Download our Free Maths Audits for EYFS & KS...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today In this week’s Podcast Episode, Andy Burt and Llewella Ivins take a closer look at a range of books that can support children’s Personal, Social & Emotional Development. They share some of their favourite books including Knuffle Bunny, Julian is a Mermaid and the Big Book of Families. Join them to ex...

This week, Andy interviews Kerry Murphy, Early Years Lecturer and Consultant, about her new book A Guide to SEND in the Early Years. Andy and Kerry discuss and reflect on EYFS practice, how best to support children with SEND and also challenge some common misconceptions. Order Kerry’s book: A Guide to SEND in the Early Years Explore our Child Development Webinars View other recommended professiona...

In this week’s Podcast Andy talks to Phil Armstrong, our Head of Regional Development for the South, about the role of an EYFS Leader and the importance of wider Subject Leadership. They reflect on how best to strengthen understanding of the core principles of Early Years for Subject Leaders to ensure these are translated into practice, the curriculum and assessment as part of a whole school appro...

In this week’s Podcast, the team taker a close look at Continuous Provision, explore EYFS terminology and reflect onthe importance of creating a consistent and enabling environment. Order our Guides to Continuous Provision Explore our FREE Room Planning service Read the blog

In this week’s Podcast, Andy talks to Amanda Belbin from Bincombe Valley Primary School, Weymouth. Amanda explains how meaningful talk and carefully planned enhancements have helped to put domestic role play at the heart of their practice. Watch our free Domestic Role Play webinar Shop our Domestic Role Play Resources Follow Bincombe Valley on Twitter Read Amanda’s Domestic Role Play Blog

Developing a well organised Domestic Role Play Area is vital for supporting young children’s learning. In the Podcast this week we set out some key principles and explore tips and ideas to help you establish meaningful and quality domestic role play that remains in place all year. Watch our webinar recording Creating Conversations! Inspire Language through Role Play Explore our Domestic Role...

Do your Early Years’ classroom spaces truly reflect your vision for learning? Have they come together by accident or been carefully planned to offer rich, meaningful and joyful experiences for young children? In this weeks Podcast, we explore how our learning environment needs to be valued as a key part of the curriculum. Join our Spring National Briefing Watch our Spring into Spring Twilight Even...

In this week’s Podcast, Andy interviews James Hitchens, the Headteacher from Penryn Primary Academy & Nursery in Cornwall. James discusses the school’s journey of rapid improvement from a RI Ofsted inspection in 2017 as he shares their vision, approach and the thinking behind it. From the creation of inspiration learning environments to the value they place on continuous provision in EYFS and...

The new EYFS framework stresses the importance of talk in supporting children’s learning. In this week’s episode, we explore how to put talk at the very heart of your practice. Join our “Understanding Language & Communication in the EYFS” Webinar Package Explore our free Audits & Planning Guides Read the Blog

In this week’s Podcast, Andy interviews Maeve Birdsall & Jasmine Priestley from Co-op Academy Oakwood in Leeds. Together with Claire Clithero, they have written and published a book that shows the positive impact on children when they value and nurture creativity. Order the Rainbow Birds Book Online Explore more about Oakwood Academy

How is colour used within your classroom? In this week’s Podcast Episode, Andy explores the use of colour and poses some key questions to consider including whether it is really needed to keep children engaged or if it is distracting to the learning. There are also lots of top tips for alternatives to move forward. Explore our FREE Room Planning service Take a 3D Virtual Tour of our Centre Read th...

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today It’s essential that your team understand how young children develop maths expertise, especially when choosing, using and evaluating set schemes or programmes. In this week’s Podcast Andy welcomes back Jude Twani who provides her insight and tips on approaching maths in the EYFS. Access the Exploring Subi...

Exploring and experimenting with water is a key fascination for many children and if you have it available continuously, you may even find that some children go back to it a lot! This week’s Podcast explores how the Water Area can be packed with a wealth of opportunities for scientific and mathematical thinking as well as opportunities for storying and developing narrative. Attend Professor Julie...

Well organised and well planned provision areas, alongside effective adult interactions, enable children to develop sustained play, practise new skills and extend their ideas over time. Some areas of provision work particularly well together like Block Play and Small World, and this week Andy looks at these in more detail. Explore our Structures & Spaces: Inspiring Young Architects Through Blo...

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work overseas? In this week’s fascinating Podcast, Andy interviews Rachael Stevens from Panyaden International School in Thailand about their unique approach. As well as taking a tour of their natural environment, they chat about all kinds of things including behaviour management, risk and challenge. Take a 3D Virtual Tour of our Centre View Andy's Photos...

Welcome back to the start of a new term and a new year! Join us this week as we explore the importance of the Characteristics of Effective Learning, and consider how they are used as part of our everyday practice. Explore our FREE Room Planning service Order our Guides to Continuous Provision Read the Blog

This Episode is Available on the Early Excellence Inspirational Hub App Discover the App Today In this week's Podcast, hear Andy Burt and Jude Twani discuss the “Catch Up Agenda” following the months of disrupted education and Jude utilises her new love of dancing to help us reflect on how children can learn and adapt. Take a Virtual Tour of our Centre Join Jude’s most recent twilight training ses...

In this week’s Podcast we give tips and advice to make tidying the classroom run smoothly and become a meaningful way of teaching, learning and embedding a range of skills and concepts. Watch the FREE Planning your Environment Webinar Take a Virtual Tour of our Centre Read the Blog

Get your big coat and wellies on, this week’s Podcast is about getting back outside whatever the weather! Explore the key things and ideas to ensure effective learning continues throughout this time of year Explore the Power of Outdoor Learning Programme Order our Guide to Outdoor Provision View our Outdoor Resources Read the Blog

In this week’s Podcast, we build on message of consistency in the learning environment by exploring the key features of practice which seek to encourage, value, celebrate and build on the ideas and interests of young learners. Explore our FREE Room Planning Service Order our Guide to Continuous Provision Read the Blog

At the beginning of the year we proudly plan out our classrooms, but wind the clock forward a few weeks and we are already starting to think about changes. In our Podcast this week, we reflect on why this isn’t always the best way forward. Take a Virtual Tour of our Centre Order our Guide to Continuous Provision Read the Blog

In this third and final Podcast of our series for those new to the EYFS, we focus on the role of the adult. Join us to explore the balancing act that is teaching in the early years, from whole class teaching and small group work through to the adult role in facilitating and scaffolding a wide range of learning experiences. Explore our Free Audits and Guides Order our Guide to Continuous Provision...

Following on from the interview with Gillian Hewitt last week, celebrating how Dyce Primary School developed inspirational outdoor provision and practice, this week we delve deeper into the outdoor curriculum with top tips on offering meaningful experiences for your children. Order our Guide to Continuous Provision Outdoors Explore our Power of Outdoor Learning Programme Read the Blog