TTS Talking Early Years

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Julie Pearson and Richard Knight from the Early Years Alliance. In this episode, they discuss the topic of supporting children through everyday changes.   The conversation covers examples of smaller, horizontal transitions that happen throughout a child’s day. Whether it’s transitioning in and out of play, or something as simple as being picked up and carried some...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Dr Steph Ainsworth return for a final episode covering their discussion so far on teacher resilience and work/life balance.   Alistair and Steph look at the broader policy context of what we can do to help teacher resilience. They discuss the idea of a more flexible curriculum, where teachers have more autonomy within their role. Adopting a child-centered approach is also...

In this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around teacher resilience in the Early Years with Dr Steph Ainsworth, an education researcher and teacher educator.  Steph and Alistair delve into ways resilience can be boosted by working on solutions collaboratively as a team. Whether it’s leadership giving recognition to staff, conducting reg...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Dr Steph Ainsworth, an education researcher and teacher educator. In this episode, Alistair and Steph cover some of the ways Early Years Educators can build resilience.   They emphasise the importance of a resilient environment, and how being resilient is actually a proactive process. Steph provides insights into using the ‘ACT’ model, having a higher a...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Dr Steph Ainsworth, an education researcher and teacher educator. In this episode, they delve into the topic of what it means to be a resilient teacher.   The conversation underscores the idea that it’s normal for people to have ups and downs, it’s all about giving them the skills to handle it. Whether it’s helping with prioritisation of tasks, removing unnecessar...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Neil Leitch return for a final episode to summarise their discussion so far on funding in Early Years, and how we can improve the language and communication gap in the sector.   Neil and Alistair emphasise how children are not developing the social skills they need due to a variety of factors, including not having time to develop a 1-2-1 relationship with educators. They a...

In this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around funding in the Early Years with Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance.  Neil and Alistair delve into the topic of SEN specifically, emphasising the concerning situation of SEN children being rejected by schools who don’t have the staff levels to cope. The current recruitment retent...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance. In this episode, Alistair and Neil cover some of the perceptions around working in Early Years, and how we can improve this.   They emphasise the challenges of getting the right training and understanding around child development for staff, and the need for community among workers.   The episode also discuss...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance. In this episode, they discuss the topic of Early Years funded hours. The conversation underscores the need for re-focus on what children need and their wellbeing, particularly as Early Years are the critical years for development. They also cover the 3 main reasons people are leaving the Early Years sector, and what ca...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Ann-Marie Christian return for the Series 4 finale of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast to summarise their discussion so far on the importance of safeguarding in early years education.   Alistair and Ann-Marie emphasise the need for a proactive approach to safeguarding, raising awareness among young children and creating a culture of vigilance. Ann-Marie also highlights...

In this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around safeguarding in the Early Years with Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author.  Ann-Marie and Alistair delve into the importance of safeguarding policies, emphasising the need for practitioners to be aware of national and local legislation, guidance, and procedu...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author. In this episode, Alistair and Ann-Marie cover some of the challenges to safeguarding and how to overcome them.  They emphasise the challenges of safeguarding young children who often can't communicate their concerns verbally. They stress the importance of recognising changes in behavio...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author. In this episode, they delve into the crucial topic of safeguarding in the early years.  The conversation underscores the challenges of recognising safeguarding issues and the role of early years practitioners as vigilant observers. Information sharing within the team is crucial, as child abuse ca...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Debs Davies return for the final episode of the topic to discuss practical strategies for supporting the development of neurodivergent children.   They emphasise the importance of not making assumptions about a child's behaviour and suggest that practitioners should try to understand the reasons behind a child's actions, such as sensory needs. They also highlight the poten...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by Debs Davies, a coach and consultant, to discuss how to support children with ADHD and neurodiversity.   Debs and Alistair emphasise that ADHD affects children differently, highlighting the need for a more flexible and inclusive approach in the early years. Transition periods can be challenging for neurodivergent children due to their struggles with attention...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by Debs Davies, a coach and consultant who is committed to helping create affirming and inclusive environments where neurodivergent people can be valued. In this episode, Alistair and Debs discuss ADHD and how educators can become more aware of it, recognising that it presents itself in various ways beyond common stereotypes.   They emphasise that understanding...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Debs Davies, a coach and consultant who is committed to helping create affirming and inclusive environments where neurodivergent people can be valued. In this episode, Alistair and Debs introduce the topic of ADHD through an inclusive lens.  Debs discusses her late ADHD diagnosis and her journey to becoming an ADHD coach after a career in the corporate world and e...

In this final episode on the topic of emotional regulation and resilience, Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Samantha Dholakia delve into the significant aspects of emotional regulation.  Sam and Alistair explore practical ideas to aid children in regulating their emotions and energy levels throughout the day, including key concepts such as creating accessible spaces for children to engage in high-energy r...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Samantha Dholakia, a renowned Behaviour and Oracy Specialist, Consultant Trainer, and Creator of The Balance System©. In this podcast episode, Alistair and Sam discuss the importance of co-regulation to create a safe and connected environment.  Sam discusses how adults' regulation, energy levels, and mood influence the emotional atmosphere in the settin...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Samantha Dholakia, a renowned Behaviour and Oracy Specialist, Consultant Trainer, and Creator of The Balance System©. Join them for an engaging discussion on emotional intelligence in early years education.   Sam expresses her belief that emotional intelligence is a vital skill to impart to the little learners, as it underpins their actions, thoughts, a...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Samantha Dholakia, a renowned Behaviour and Oracy Specialist, Consultant Trainer, and Creator of The Balance System©. In this episode, Alistair and Samantha introduce the topic of emotional intelligence and regulation in the Early Years.  Samantha and Alistair raise the need to coach behaviour rather than simply managing it, advocating for a deeper understanding o...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker for the final episode on the topic of emotional connection and wellbeing. Alistair and Kate bring together everything discussed so far and focus on the practical tips for putting wellbeing at the centre of early years settings.   In this episode, Kate stresses the importance of reflective practice and how...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker, to delve into the importance of fostering wellbeing within early childhood education teams.   Kate stresses the need to address mental health in the early childhood education sector, breaking the stigma around it, and highlighting that both educators and children have mental health needs. The episode enc...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker specialising in wellbeing and mental health. In this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair and Kate delve into the importance of establishing a sense of belonging and connection for children in early years settings.   They discuss the significance of secure bonds and connecti...

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Kate Moxley, an Early Years consultant, trainer and speaker specialising in wellbeing and mental health. Over the next four episodes, the pair focus on emotional connection and wellbeing in early years settings.  In this episode, they discuss the need for practitioners to focus on fostering a sense of wellbeing in both children and themselves.  They highlight the...