Early Years Insights

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/Sr6PpWLEBHc . The Campaign for Gigi & A Culture of Safety Welcome back to a brand-new season of Early Years Insights . To launch this next chapter, we begin by hosting an incredibly important and deeply meaningful conversation about Gigi's Campaign. https://campaignforgigi.com Kathy Leatherbarrow sits down with Katie Meehan , the mother be...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/2eBgv4MXfjA . 🌟 Future-Proofing the Nursery: Season 2 Grand Finale 🌟 Welcome to the grand finale of Season Two! In this special episode, we bring together the absolute "best bits" of the season. We focus on long-term operational excellence, leadership mindset, and quality practice. If any of these clips spark your interest, dive right back i...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/l5QDRYqrNMs . 🌟 How to Make Government Funding Profitable - Early Years Insights 🌟 Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and Lucy Lewin , CEO of The Profitable Nursery Academy , for a masterclass in nursery economics. Lucy tackles the sector's biggest "taboo" - making government-funded hours actually pay. Lucy shares her strategy for navigating the entit...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/ik2N3ZlAxzM . Creating Sustainable Early Years Businesses with The Profitable Nursery Academy - Early Years Insights Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and Lucy Lewin , CEO of The Profitable Nursery Academy , for a raw and insightful discussion on the business of early years. Lucy shares her lived experience of moving from the brink of bankruptcy to bui...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/PDLShRgDHNg . Continuous and Enhanced Provision with Nursery Nook - Early Years Insights Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and James Tunnell (Nursery Nook) as they continue to discuss the technical bridge between continuous and enhanced provision. James shares how to move learning forward by building on the familiar and understanding schematic play. Ke...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/GdlT5utmj_M . Connection Beyond the Curriculum - Early Years Insights In this episode, join host Kathy Leatherbarrow for a deeply practical and inspiring conversation with James Tunnell , Director of Nursery Nook . The discussion centres on the idea that connection is the foundation of all learning; if we don’t have a relationship with a child...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/DLUfz56rSzI . Developing 'Key Adults' within Your Staff Team - Early Years Insights In this insightful episode, join your host Kathy Leatherbarrow as she continues the conversation with Laura Salmon (Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise) and Natalie Healy (Head of Operations at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office) to explore the evolu...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/Fww0_Xg7lQw . Oliver's Legacy, Part 2: Closing the EYFS Loopholes - Early Years Insights Join Kathy Leatherbarrow for the continuation of a vital story with Lewis Steeper (The Oliver Steeper Foundation) and Laura Salmon (Banana Moon Franchise). Lewis shares the successful legislative changes driven by the Foundation, focusing on mandatory pedi...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/h5FzZWbv6kA . A Legacy of Safety: The Oliver Steeper Foundation - Early Years Insights Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she speaks with Lewis Steeper, founder of The Oliver Steeper Foundation , and Laura Salmon, Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise , to share a deeply personal story of resilience, and how one family turned tragedy into a na...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/NuSmiHX27eU . Apprenticeship to Manager: Building Early Years Leaders . Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she continues her discussion with Natalie Healey , Head of Operations, and Laura Salmon , Head of Early Years, from Banana Moon Franchise Support Office. This episode dives into the crucial role of early years apprenticeships in addressing the s...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/b0e4dDuvIJk . EYFS Updates: Nurturing Our Whole Community . In this special episode, we delve into the core of the new EYFS statutory framework , taking effect on 1st September 2025 . This framework encourages a holistic approach to nurturing everyone within the Early Years setting, from children and staff to families. We cover essential and o...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/HcuF1XVl8ZQ . Safeguarding, Welfare, and Male Practitioners . Join Kathy Leatherbarrow for a crucial continuation of the conversation with Eden's Safeguarding and Welfare Officers, Sarah Baker and Beth Mincher. In this episode, the discussion shifts to an equally vital aspect of the Early Years sector: the role of men. They explore the importa...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/eNiuRzVc7EQ . Safeguarding and Welfare in Early Years . Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she speaks with Eden's dedicated Safeguarding and Welfare Officers, Sarah Baker and Beth Mincher. In this vital episode, they shine a light on the crucial, often behind-the-scenes, role they play in ensuring the well-being and safety of everyone within the Eden...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/AQ4J5ZkcsHk . . Cultivating the Nursery-Home Partnership . Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she explores the vital connection between nursery settings and families, and how a strong partnership can significantly benefit children's development and well-being. In this episode, Kathy delves into the key elements of successful collaboration between ear...

Watch the video version on YouTube! . https://youtu.be/mRGITFjQqbQ . Navigating School Readiness . Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she delves into the crucial topic of school readiness with Lauren Fisher, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Rothwell. Together, they explore what school readiness truly means within the UK Early Years context, and how practitioners can effectively support children...

Watch the video version on YouTube! https://youtu.be/q9rkndXCMwY Wellbeing Matters: Supporting Early Years Professionals Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she discusses the critical importance of staff wellbeing in early years settings with Lauren Fisher, Nursery Manager at Banana Moon Day Nursery Rothwell, Abbie Meikle, Deputy Manager at Banana Moon Catterick Garrison, and Jayne Garbutt, Nursery Manage...

The Impact of Positive Behaviour in Early Years Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she chats with Alan Kennedy, an experienced child hypnotherapist and Louise Scott, the early years training coordinator at Shining Stars Nursery. Alan and Louise share their insights into the profound impact of positive behaviour in early childhood, exploring effective strategies, real-life examples, and the long-term bene...

Watch the video version on YouTube! https://youtu.be/B_7azdx0Hh8 Becoming an Early Years Training Coordinator Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she chats with Louise Scott, a training coordinator at Shining Stars Nursery. Louise shares her insights into the role of a training coordinator in an early years setting, discussing the challenges, rewards, and essential skills needed to succeed. Key Discussion...

Watch the video version on YouTube! https://youtu.be/sllx5NNMpcQ The Mindful Driver Course Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she sits down with hypnotherapist Alan Kennedy, who will introduce his innovative course designed to equip drivers of all levels with the tools they need to navigate the road with greater awareness and peace of mind. Whether you're a new driver, an experienced driver seeking to bo...

Watch the video version on YouTube! https://youtu.be/cEhOZi8cy1o The Effects of the Autumn Chancellor's Budget on Early Years Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she sits down with Eden's Managing Director Lorna Newbould and Director of Operations, Jon O'Boyle to dissect the Autumn Chancellor's Budget and its implications for the Early Years sector in 2024. This episode provides a comprehensive analysis o...

Early Years Insights: Episode 8 - Thought Leadership in Early Years Education Join host Kathy Leatherbarrow as she chats with Nick Johnson, Curriculum Lead at Eden Training Solutions. This episode delves into the concept of Thought Leadership and how nurseries and nursery managers can demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to the UK Early Years Education sector. Discover how to: Position your...

Early Years Insights - Episode 7 Step into Leadership: The Level 5 Lead Practitioner Qualification Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and guest Jess Copland as they explore the transformative Level 5 Lead Practitioner Qualification. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the Level 5 Lead Practitioner Qualification and its potential to empower early years practitioners to become influential leaders in their...

Early Years Insights: Episode 6 - Growing Healthy Habits Cultivate a love for healthy living in young children on Early Years Insights! This episode focuses on the importance of establishing healthy habits from a young age. Host Kathy Leatherbarrow chats with Lucy and Matthew Pottinger, owners of Grassroots Nursery, about: Food, nutrition, and creating balanced diets for optimal growth and develop...

Episode 5 - Ofsted: Beyond the Inspection Welcome back to Early Years Insights, where we continue to explore the world of early childhood education. In this episode, we delve into the critical topic of Ofsted inspections and their impact on the early years sector. Join our host, Kathy Leatherbarrow, as she sits down with Heather Clark-Kelly (manager of Sunflowers Day Nursery) to unpack the complex...

Early Years Insights: Episode 4 - Positive Programming in Early Years Explore the power of positive influence in a child's development on Early Years Insights! This episode dives deep into the world of child hypnotherapy and its connection to early years practice. Host Kathy Leatherbarrow chats with guest speaker Alan Kennedy, a child hypnotherapist, about: His journey as a child hypnotherapist an...