Talking Early Years

Please note: We experienced some internet connectivity issues during recording, which may cause occasional disruption to the audio throughout this episode. We apologise for this and appreciate your understanding - we felt the conversation and content were too important not to share. Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen explore the world of child development theorists and the lasting impact their ideas continue to have on early years practice today. Together, the conversation looks at some of the key figures who have shaped our understanding of how children learn and develop, including theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Bowlby a...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re exploring the serious and sensitive issue of breast ironing, a harmful practice that can affect children and young people. We take time to understand what breast ironing is, why it happens, and the impact it can hav...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen explore the different approaches used within nursery settings and how they shape children’s experiences, learning, and development. Together, the conversation looks at a range of early years approaches, considering how environments, routines, and practitioner interactions can vary between settings. We also explore...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this special extended episode, we’re taking a deeper dive into the complex and often confronting area of Serious Crime and its intersection with safeguarding. Joined by guest speaker Jim Pegler, Director of the Violence Reduction Unit...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen are joined by guest speaker Hannah to explore the different types of parenting styles and the impact they can have on children’s development, behaviour, and wellbeing. Together, the conversation unpacks a range of approaches, including authoritative, permissive, authoritarian, and gentle parenting. We reflect on h...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re exploring Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) , a complex and often misunderstood form of abuse that places children at significant risk of harm. Sometimes referred to as Perplexing Presentations or medically fabric...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma, Ellen, and guest speakers Nicky and Sophie explore the wide range of career opportunities within the early years sector and the important role the workforce plays in shaping children’s earliest experiences. Together, the conversation looks at the different pathways into and out of early years, from apprenticeships and qual...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re focusing on the Mandatory Reporting Duty and what it means for professionals working with children and young people. With recent developments and increased national attention on strengthening safeguarding systems, u...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen are joined by guest James Sproat, Director of Sales at Showcase and a dad himself, to explore an important and sometimes overlooked topic in early childhood practice: the father’s role. Together, the conversation looks at how fathers and male caregivers can support children’s learning, development, and wellbeing f...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re focusing on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Honour-Based Violence (HBV) - complex, sensitive forms of abuse that can affect children and young people across all communities. We explore what FGM and HBV are, why...

Welcome to the next episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen are joined by guest and colleague Lauren, and together they explore the increasingly relevant and often debated topic of technology in the early years. They reflect on what meaningful, developmentally appropriate use of technology looks like for young children, and challenge some common misconceptions around scree...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we unpack key safeguarding topics and explore their relevance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re focusing on Consent and Healthy Relationships: what they really mean, why they matter, and how we can support children and young people to understand them with clarity and confidence. Consent is far more than a one-...

Welcome to the 12th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen dive into the vital and often misunderstood topic of sex education in the early years. They unpack what developmentally appropriate sex education really looks like for young children, and why it’s far less about “sex” and far more about safeguarding, body autonomy, healthy relationships, and understanding the worl...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we explore key safeguarding topics and their importance in everyday practice. In this episode, we’re delving into Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs): what they are, why they happen, and what we can learn from them. These reviews play a vital role in improving safeguarding systems by examining serious incidents a...

Welcome to the 11th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen turn their focus to the essential topic of food and nutrition in the early years. They explore how what children eat and how they experience food plays a crucial role in their growth, wellbeing, and ability to learn. Together, they discuss what balanced and nutritious meals look like in early years settings, how t...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we explore key safeguarding themes and their real-world impact. In this episode, we’re focusing on Safeguarding Legislation: the vital laws and frameworks that protect children and vulnerable adults across the UK. We’ll unpack what these laws mean in practice, how they guide safeguarding policies, and why understanding t...

Welcome to the 10th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen turn their attention to the vital topic of speech, language and communication in the early years. We explore why these skills are so foundational for children’s learning, relationships and overall development, and consider the wide-ranging impact they have on wellbeing and future outcomes. Together, we unpack what...

Welcome back to another episode of our Safeguarding Shorts side series, where we dive into important safeguarding topics and their impact on everyday life. This episode focuses on the vital contacts, advice, and support available for those in need. We’ll explore who to reach out to, how to access help, and practical steps to take when faced with safeguarding concerns. Whether it’s for yourself or...

Welcome to the 9th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen are joined by their colleague Trinity, and together delve into the topic of gender roles in early childhood education. From the toys children are offered to the expectations placed on their behaviour, we explore how gendered assumptions can subtly shape experiences in the early years. Together, we discuss the impor...

Welcome to the latest episode in our side series, Safeguarding Shorts , where we take a closer look at specific safeguarding topics and connect them to everyday life. In this episode, we focus on Modern Slavery, exploring who is at risk and what warning signs to look out for. We unpack how we might see it in everyday life and our wider societal responsibility to look out for one another, and how g...

Welcome to the 8th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen are joined by Showcase Tutor, Hannah Willisson-Hill to reflect on the lasting impact of COVID-19 on early years education. From the sudden shift in routines to the challenges of remote learning and social distancing, we explore how the pandemic has shaped children’s development, staff wellbeing, and family engageme...

Welcome to the latest episode in our side series, Safeguarding Shorts , where we take a closer look at specific safeguarding topics and connect them to everyday life. In this episode, we focus on Social Media and Safeguarding, exploring how online platforms can pose risks to children and young people, and what warning signs to look out for. We unpack how social media can be linked to issues such a...

Welcome to the 7th episode of Talking Early Years! In this episode, Gemma and Ellen explore the importance of Environments in early years settings - what makes a space truly supportive for young children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. From calm corners to curated play zones, we discuss how thoughtful environments can nurture independence, curiosity, and connection. We also touch on the ro...

Welcome to our next episode in our side series 'Safeguarding Shorts' in which we will be talking about County Lines, Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and their link with Safeguarding. Safeguarding Shorts aim to break down specific topics found within the large realm of Safeguarding, relating them to everyday life and encouraging a greater understanding...